Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina shrugged and turned to look at Jeremy with a burst of miffed laughter.

"Isn't that your sister?" Alexander asked Jeremy. "I wanted to ask you why she was wearing the bride's color. I heard that it is not allowed?" he looked at Portia and Portia nodded.

"…I noticed that too. But it was a different shade of white so I let it pass. And she…" Portia hesitated for a moment. But Samuel placed his hand on her back.

"There are shades of white?" he asked with a clueless look. "It's white."

Jerlina hid her smile seeing Portia trying hard not to roll her eyes as everyone's eyes were on them..

"No, what Jerlina is wearing is pure white and what she wore is champagne white," she explained.

"And," Samuel looked at her and she took in a deep breath. "She didn't look too happy either."

"She's my half-sister," Jeremy corrected Alexander.

He too noticed how Emma was grumbling and gritting her teeth whenever she thought that the camera was not focusing on her.

How did I not notice these things before?

"Gordon!" Jonathan called him and whispered something in his ears.

"She doesn't like me but she is not that harmful," Jerlina said fearing Jonathan might do something to Emma to hurt her for grumbling on her wedding day.

Jonathan looked at her for a few seconds. "You don't know anything. You're a child."

Jerlina didn't like to be called a child and she was about to say something and Jeremy held her hand.

"Harmless?" he asked. "Did you forget already?" he whispered in her ears in the guise of kissing her.

Only then Jerlina remembered how Emma tried to damage her child's grave. Jeremy told her that Scarlett sent him a video but she refused to watch that video. She knew she will end up hating Emma if she watches the video. She didn't want to hate on a stupid like her.

Jerlina already hated someone with all her heart and it didn't feel good. It was taxing and it only made her feel heavy and it weighed her down and kept her from rising. She didn't want to feel that way again.

But Jeremy watched it and he didn't make a very good face after that.

'She will never get anywhere near you ever!'

That's what he said and threw the phone on the bed. That is one more reason she didn't think about it. Since she knew that she had Jeremy to protect and care for her, she forgot about Emma.

Jerlina kissed his cheek. "I almost did," she smiled.

Jeremy just shook his head in disappointment. He saw the rage in Emma's face in that video Scar sent.

He wouldn't lie though. He felt a little struggle in his heart as he felt bad for his sister for ending up in the scrutinizing glare of Jonathan.

Does she deserve to get avenged by someone like Jonathan who can hire someone like the Doctor so easily?

He wasn't sure. But he didn't think that Jonathan would try to touch Emma if she doesn't deserve it.

Well, I should train my heart to not care about Emma anymore.

-----

"So, grandpa!" Jerlina was chirpy. "When is the wedding?" she asked.

"I am not marrying," Alexander said with his stern voice.

"What? Why?" Jerlina was disappointed. "But…" seeing the small playful smile on Jeremy, she got Alexander's words.

"Who cares if you marry or not?" she pouted. "I was asking about Mikhail's wedding!"

"Mikail's wedding? Does he have a bride?"Alexander looked at her and Jerlina hugged Jeremy's arms.

"Joel… Look, he's teasing me. Do something," she looked at him and batted her eyelids.

Jeremy looked at Alexander and he laughed. "You're such a simple woman. If our Jeremy didn't marry you you'd-"

"Alexander!" Jeremy interjected him.

Although Alexander is not saying it with all seriousness, he didn't like it when others call his wife a simple woman. Yes, his wife is a little silly at times but no one can say it.

"Jonathan left it in your hands," Alexander said to Jerlina. He didn't want to argue with Jeremy.

"Me?" Jerlina knitted her brows. "How?"

Jerlina was not that surprised that Jonathan wants to get something out of this.

He just can't give his blessings to his great-granddaughter for marrying the one in her heart? Must he make a deal out of everything? What a … If only he was not ancient, I'd never see him again!

"He wants you to accept the Hamilton money," Alexander's lips curved up but he was not smiling. It was a bit terrifying to look at. But she noticed a dimple forming on one of his cheeks.

Jeremy looked at Jerlina wondering how she would react to this. And he was surprised to learn that Jonathan wants to make her accept the hamilton money.

But will she? When Mikhail's happiness depends on it? The stress that guy is putting on her!

Ah… Jonathan is a prick! But this time he wants the best and maybe I should let it go.

"Alexander, you must have been handsome in the past, huh?" Jerlina asked with a cheeky smile making Alexander shake. He almost dropped the cane in his hand.

"I was!" he said coughing in his hands after he composed herself.

Jeremy sighed. Look at her skipping over the important detail! Does she realize that she cannot avoid this issue for long?

-----

Mark Maverick stood at the railing of the Geraldine Bridge watching the water flowing with a pleasing sound. He just now took a drive around the entire county. The streets looked clean. The people who caused trouble for decades are all gone.

They went to prison and there is a chance of them coming out. But he heard that those who got caught would get nothing less than a life sentence. And those who are not got caught will be hunted by Jonathan Erling.

It is good that I let her be!

He met with Viper some days before the incident. It was he who suggested the use of the EMP device.  He learned that Wyatt is going to be helping Jeremy and so he stayed silent.

It is good!

There was a possibility that she could have died but that would have been ended up for the best too.

This place is clean… finally!

He came here just after meeting Madeline Kruger. She was vulnerable and she let a secret slip. And he made sure that secret reaches Jonathan Erling.

Harrison… You cannot plan to ruin this place and think you can get away with it!

Standing on the railing, Mark took out the picture he carried close to his heart. With a smile, he pressed his lips on the picture.

I can finally breathe, my love!

That innocent-looking girl was still smiling at him. She's not breathing for decades but she is still smiling on this piece of paper; as she is in his heart.

This girl… who always was following him around like he was her salvation… This girl he ignored because he…

He closed his eyes as that blooming face of hers came to his memory.

But that day…