Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Wyatt glared at Moses.

"Steak? If it is not cooked..." he spoke in a dismissive tone, "Don't step closer, he likes to hunt for meat. He's not a pet, unlike your snake... Well, on the other hand, he might be put off by your filthy scent, so..."

"So... you're feeling snarky as always...Oof!" Moses wiped the imaginary sweat on his forehead and sat beside Wyatt. "I thought you too went soft like TJ just for a b*tch. So what if she died? You can have any woman-," he reached his arms to wrap around Wyatt's shoulder.

But Moses gulped hearing a chiming noise and saw the tiger standing up and walking towards them.

"He doesn't like others getting close to me..." Wyatt said and pushed his arms away. "Stop pissing me off and tell me what you want. Otherwise, I'll give the command for Khan to rip you apart," Wyatt glared at Moses.

"Oh, what..." out of habit, Moses tried to get close to Wyatt, but seeing the tiger crouching, he distanced himself from Wyatt.

He felt ashamed. TJ has his Siberian Huskies and other dogs who listen to his every command and Wyatt has a frigging Bengal Tiger to listen to his commands, while his African Rock Python tried to kill him! Was it because of the crack he accidentally swallowed? Eek!

"What made you think I want something? Can't I be here to see my old friend?" Moses smiled showing his yellowed teeth. "How is your business going?"

"Khan!" Wyatt shouted and Moses froze sensing the warm breath on his shoulders. He felt some prickly sensation on his ear and without turning he could say that the tiger is sniffing him.

"He wants to take a chunk out of your neck. So come to point," Wyatt started drinking out of his bottle.

"I'm gonna make an offer you cannot refuse," Moses said controlling his urge to piss his pants. He could still feel the tiger's breath on his ear.

All for the fifty million I am promised!

Wyatt ended up laughing. "Are you Don Corleone? Or are we exchanging famous movie quotes? 'Cuz..." Wyatt patted Moses' shoulder. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!... See what I did there?" He continued to laugh.

"You might have realized that our exports are getting blocked these days... Have any idea why?" Moses looked at Wyatt and his face turned serious.

"TJ...It's TJ. He's poking his nose in our business."

Wyatt waved his hand and the tiger retreated and lied on the oriental rug, curling up like a cat. Moses' lips curved to a smile.

I knew he'd listen!

-----

"Get the f*ck out, b*tch! My pain doubles looking at your fugly face. Just die! Where is she? Where is my Jer? I want to see her..."

Emma rubbed her temples with her fingers seeing the man shouting out of his mind. He was given painkillers and he still couldn't handle pain and was screaming profanities at the medical staff even.

He actually let this happen to me! That stupid lumberjack!

Emma fisted her hand.

After threatening her in-laws, Jeremy asked her to leave Gerard to be taken care of by the nurses here and he left without even dropping her at home. Martha, who was mad at Jeremy, asked her to stay by Gerard's side for the night and left.

And now I am stuck here with this potty-mouth. What should I do? What did I even see in him? Ugh!

She stared at the man cursing like a sailor.

But he is the one Jerlina loved! I'll show her how I am better than her!

She suddenly laughed.

"Gerard..." she sat beside him and ran her fingers through his soft hair. "You want to meet Jerlina? I can help. Will you listen to me..?" she spoke in a soothing voice.

"F*ck off, c*nt. Don't think I'll..."  he went on. She, with a smile, listened to him cursing.

Shout all you want, Gerard... I am not going to let you go back to Jerlina ever! You'll be mine.

-----

Jerlina, after dinner, expected Jeremy's arrival, but he didn't make any moves that night. As much as she enjoyed her stay in Bobby's house, at times she felt empty.

Like now... Bobby was on the couch napping, having one too many beers, with baby Cia sleeping on his chest. Cia didn't like to sleep in her crib that night and kept on crying. Bobby was trying to pacify her and both of them ended up sleeping on the couch. Scarlett was folding the laundry.

It's such a mundane scene that might be a pretty common sight in many households. But that made her heart sink.

This is the kind of life she wanted... a simple life as a little family – with Gerard. And he turned to be...

She felt stuffy inside and stepped out to have some fresh air. Folding her hands she took a walk in the backyard. She noticed that most in Peyton and Wolford, grow vegetables in their backyard and Scarlett had some vegetable patches too.

She heard the barking of the dogs from next door and wondered if Jeremy is back. She guessed he might stay with Emma in the hospital. That made her wonder how Gerard is doing.

He couldn't handle pain and he's terrible as a patient. He once got the flu and he never let go of her and acted like a toddler, hugging her and not letting go.

Broken ribs...that's gotta hurt... I wonder how he is doing.

She saw Charlie at the distance, letting out the dogs from the kennel. She was glad Charlie didn't get into any trouble. Jeremy protects his people realy well.

She wondered if she should ask him about Gerard. But then, she knew it won't be a good idea and so she scrapped that idea. She didn't know why she is still thinking about him even after he hit her. Maybe it was because she just wanted to know and nothing more.

Well, Gerard has a lot of people who'll take care of him now. So, he'll be fine.

Jerlina composed herself and got back inside. She was surprised when Scarlett joined her to bed that night.

"Is it okay for those two to sleep on the couch?" Jerlina asked.

"It's fine," Scarlett waved her hand. "Bobby will wake up soon and he'll take care of her."

"Okay," Jerlina nodded. She was in awe of the way Bobby and Scarlett work together. They are well-suited for each other and work in tandem. They share the chores and don't complain about each other.

Childhood sweethearts, huh..? It must be so good to grow up together and fall in love. They'd know a lot about each other. They sure won't have some dark part of their partner getting shoved on their face after seven years, right?

I wish I had a childhood sweetheart!