Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"What is it?" Jeremy placed his hand on Jerlina's shoulder as she turned pale.

She was still holding the phone and Jeremy wondered what his lawyer said that made her like this.

"Is the call still-" he tried to get the phone from her hand and only then Jerlina came out of her trance.

"Yes... Just keep her away for now," Jerlina said and ended the call.

She stared at the distance for some time as if she was lost for words and then Jeremy was stunned to hear her gritting her teeth and she fisted her hands.

"Jeryl...." he was surprised.

Her face had contorted to a scowl and he got scared because he had never seen her this mad.

"What is it?" he pulled her closer and she with the same scowl, looked at him.

"You are not allowed to talk to Emma anymore. I forbid you to have any contact with Emma in the future," she pointed his finger at him.

Jeremy's heart skipped a beat. Not because of Jerlina's reaction but he got scared wondering what his sister might have done that make this kind heart get raging mad.

"What did she do?" he asked.

"You cannot talk to her," she was adamant.

"Okay, but-"

"That piece of sh*t sister of yours went to your lawyer to ask about your will! That bItch! If she was in front of me, I'll-" Jerlina almost threw her phone but she held back. "That f*cking vulture! She called me in the morning pretending to care about you and went to your lawyer right after... that- UGH!!!"

Jerlina really couldn't control her anger.

What would make someone do that? How selfish is she?

Jeremy didn't have the time to feel sad as he was stunned to see Jerlina getting this mad for him. His "father" might have been the one who asked her to get the details, but that doesn't mean Emma should have done it.

Maybe she was curious too?

Are they waiting for my death to get all that juicy money?

Whatever...

Look at my cute wife huffing in anger on my behalf! How cute is she!

He couldn't walk longer and so he sat on a bench nearby and watched her. She was calling everyone to keep Emma out of Peyton, his office, and their home.

She can do what she wants. I left her in charge, anyway!

And my wife is so cute.... I want to kiss her.

And even after talking to everyone, her anger still hasn't reduced. He signalled the staff following them to bring her a drink. Sitting with his hand holding his cheek, he observed her.

She must be thirsty after shouting for this long... My poor wife!

"I am serious, Joel!" she walked to him pointing her finger. He wanted to pull her closer and do her right there.

Ugh! My injury!

"Okay," he nodded holding his laughter.

"I don't care if people call me a jealous wife who cannot get along with her in-laws or whatever! I don't care! Emma can't get anywhere near you!" she huffed and sat by his side.

"Okay," Jeremy didn't say anything else.

But then she suddenly started to cry and that made his heart break.

"Jeryl, what is it? I won't let anyone talk bad about you. And I won't let Emma near us, alright? Don't cry," he patted her back.

Why would she cry?

"You poor thing..." she started to sob. "You must be sad knowing about this... I am sorry..." Jerlina only then realized that she should have hidden this from him and felt bad for him.

What if he gets sad about this and his recovery gets affected? How can I be this careless?

"I am not sad, really... Jeryl... You crying is what makes me sad. Don't cry, alright?" he wiped her tears.

"How can she be like this, Joel?" Jerlina still couldn't control her tears. Maybe because she hasn't rested properly last night as she sat beside Jeremy or it was because she is taking care of a lot of things, she got overwhelmed.

"Her husband became infertile and she wasn't looking for a doctor for him but she went and met with her injured brother's lawyer! How cruel!"

Jerlina wiped her tears.

"I am sorry. I won't make you sad. I always knew she is like that and yet I am acting like a fool... Joel, let's go in, alright?" she composed herself. "I'll help you with the sponge bath," she tried to get him up.

"No, let's sit here for some time..." Jeremy patted her back and made her lean on his shoulder. "I am not very sad, Jeryl. So don't worry, okay? I have you and I have a lot of others who love me for me. So... I am alright..." he rubbed her thigh and she sniffed.

"Okay... I won't cause a scene like this again..." Jerlina by now felt embarrassed for acting belligerent.

"I don't mind though..." he said and watched her face.

The tip of her nose had gone red and she was fiddling with her fingers.

"Your love is enough. I mean it."

He was a little sad to learn another thing about the sister whom he thought of as an angel, but now he has his comfort right by his side and he wasn't that affected.

His wife gets angry for him and cries for him. What more would he want?

Jerlina looked at him and her eyes got reddened. "I do love you, Joel. And I will not allow you to get hurt," she pecked on his lips.

"Emma's husband is infertile?" Jeremy asked after a while.

It only got registered in his brain.

She didn't even mention him by his name, but as Emma's husband!

The words that Scarlett said a long time ago came to his mind.

'He's corrupted... that guy... Just by putting a ring on her mortal enemy's hand, he lost his chance with her.'

And it is not just that, is it...

I am glad I confessed to her and decided to court her. Otherwise...

This happiness... I would have missed it for life!

Jerlina saw Mikhail walking towards them and stood up.

"I have to make a call," she excused herself.

I have to call Scarlett and hear her trash-talking Emma. Only then I will feel a little better.

"She seems angry," Mikhail asked surprised.

He could hear her shouts from far away although he didn't intend to.

"Emma went to my lawyer to inquire the details about my will," Jeremy said casually and Mikhail raised his eyebrows in shock.

"It is what it is..."  Jeremy shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair."And..?"

"You are not surprised..." Mikhail expected a strong reaction from Jeremy but he seemed calm.

"Yeah...It's... At least I have her, right? She... she is enough..."

Mikhail saw complex emotions in Jeremy's face. It's not like he was not hurt by Emma's work. Rather, he could handle that hurt because he has Jerlina by his side.

Love is amazing.

"So, has she told you that she is Jonathan Erling's great-granddaughter yet?" Mikhail asked.

"Really?" Jeremy raised his brows. He thought Mikhail might be joking at first but his look said that he is serious.

"Hmm...that explains a lot. And who wants her dead? Is it Jonathan?"

"No, but someone else from his family. And she agreed to meet Jonathan next weekend," Mikhail said and watched Jeremy staring at her in serious contemplation.

"Are you mad she hid it from you?" Mikhail asked.

"Mad? Why?" Jeremy shook his head. "She learned she is someone from the Erling family and she..." his eyes clouded.

She acts as a servant to me, helping me with everything... Wiping me, tucking me in, feeding me, helping me use the bathroom...

She really loves me!

"And the thing I asked?" Jeremy held out his hand.

"You sure?" Mikhail asked as he handed him a phone.

"Don't tell her. I need to clean Peyton off filth and..." Jeremy stood up and Mikhail helped him.

I need to take care of the Harrison family.