Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jeremy scrolled through Mikhail's texts. He got what might have happened.

There were five of Jerlina's pictures sent from Mikhail's phone followed by one picture of Rose sent from Gordon's number.

'Rose just now is painting a canvas...' read the last message.

"How would you like it if I stored your girlfriend's picture in my phone?" Jeremy asked gritting his teeth.

He didn't know why he got that mad. Maybe because all of the pictures of Jerlina were so tastefully taken?

And he remembered how Jerlina blushed talking about Mikhail that day. It was the first time he saw her laugh so carelessly at him; with him...

Maybe that was it; jealousy.

He deleted all of Jerlina's pictures and his finger hovered over the "Delete" button for Rose's picture.

"I am sorry," Mikhail said bowing his head. "I miss her so much... I couldn't bear it..."

Jeremy only then looked at Mikhail properly. It would be an understatement if he said that Mikhail looked terrible.

All because he missed his girlfriend...

Jeremy could sympathize with Mikhail. He was like Mikhail not so long ago. He understood that feeling. Everything would feel tasteless around you and you would feel like you're missing something. And you'd go against your better judgment to just have a glance at her.

You'll know she'd get terrified of you once she sees you. You wouldn't want to see her scared face. But still, you won't be able to hold back that push in your heart that shoves you in front of her.

Well... Lovesickness is not a crime! And my Jeryl considers Mikhail as her brother. Mikhail openly admitted that he considers Jerlina as his sister.

So I don't have to get angry at him.

It was this Gordon guy who deserves my spite! Terrible person! How can he exploit little Mike like this?

"Jeryl!" Jeremy called Jerlina.

Jerlina who just ended the call ran towards Jeremy. "What is it, Joel?"

"Don't run..." Jeremy shouted but he knew she wouldn't listen.

Mikhail was too stunned as he didn't realize what is going to happen next.

"Please don't tell her! I don't know what they'll do to Rose if Jerlina doesn't visit him this weekend..." Mikhail pleaded.

Jeremy turned and looked at Mikhail, still on his knees. He looked pitiful but he didn't say a word to him.

"Why are you kneeling?" Jerlina got to Mikhail first and tried to help him up by holding his arm. But Mikhail still wasn't getting up and she couldn't lift him up.

"Joel?" Jerlina looked at Jeremy and raised her eyebrows. "What is happening?"

"This guy sold his friendship for a picture of his lover," Jeremy said and Jerlina's lips curved up.

"They sent you a picture of Rose?" she asked. Seeing her relieved face, Mikhail felt more guilty and bowed his head.

Jeremy explained the deeds of Mikhail and Jerlina went silent. Mikhail started to apologize and pleaded with Jerlina not to cancel her meeting with Jonathan Erling.

Jerlina wasn't even listening to what Mikhail is saying as she was in her own bubble of guilty feelings.

There is only a day left before she has to leave to meet Jonathan Erling and she still hasn't talked to Jeremy about her lineage. She wanted to talk to him about it but she didn't know what stopped her.

Well, she knew what stopped her. Either she'd get horny or he'd get horny and they end up teasing each other and they never had time to talk about any of the important stuff.

I'm such a...

How hurt would Joel be after learning these important things from another person?

"Joel, I am sorry..." Jerlina walked towards Jeremy and Jeremy blinked not knowing why his cute little wife is pouting all of a sudden.

"I am sorry for not telling you about Jonathan Erling before... I even promised to meet him the day after tomorrow. I am..." she started to cry.

"Don't cry!" Jeremy hugged her and Mikhail slapped his forehead with his palm.

Stupid! Now Jerlina surely won't let me go! I didn't keep her secret a secret and told Jeremy about it already! I am screwed!

"So you hid the truth from me... Mikhail betrayed me... I am heartbroken..." Jeremy spoke with his voice shaking and Mikhail looked at him with shock.

Come again?

Jeremy wrapped his arm around Jerlina's shoulder and turned her to lead her back inside the house all the while lamenting how his heart is broken.

Mikhail stood up and he wasn't taking none of it.

"You liar! You already knew!" he shouted at Jeremy and Jerlina turned back to look at Mikhail.

"Don't listen to him. He's a b*tch!" Jeremy pulled Jerlina closer to him.

"No," Jerlina stood firm. "What does he know already?"

"He already knows that you're-"

"Jeryl! My stomach..." Jeremy held his stomach and crouched. Jerlina forgot everything and started to panic.

"Joel... get up... Help!" she started to shout.

Mikhail opened his mouth wide as he noticed Jeremy smirking at him. He then gritted his teeth.

What a prick!

Some of the staff came running and they helped Jeremy up and helped him to their room. Mikhail, followed them, gritting his teeth.

He still needed to convince Jerlina to meet up with Jonathan Erling, after all!

Jerlina feared hiding all the truths had affected Jeremy and that made his pain worse. Her heart started to clench out of guilt.

The doctors were called for and Jeremy had a layer of perspiration on his forehead.

But as they helped Jeremy on the bed, Jerlina heard a vibrating noise.

Her mind went to all extremes.

A time bomb? Some other kind of bomb?

After what she went through, she did get startled by little things these days.

What would she know? How is one thing harmful or harmless?

"Wait... what is that sound?" Jerlina asked. "I think it comes from here..." she figured it was coming from under the bed.

"Ahhh!" Jeremy shouted to distract Jerlina. And she did get distracted.

He remembered putting his phone on silent. But why is it vibrating? She cannot find out that I am having a phone!

"It sounds like a phone," Mikhail smirked while Jeremy glared at him.

But Mikhail didn't care. He wanted to get on the good side of Jerlina sooner.

"A phone?" Jerlina looked at Mikhail.

"Yes, the phone I bought for him..." he pointed at Jeremy and Jeremy let out a sigh.

"Joel?" Jerlina looked at Jeremy and he grimaced.

"Sorry!"