Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

I need food!

Jerlina placed her hand over her rumbling stomach. She tried to move her legs but she couldn't move even an inch. As she was wondering if she should shout for food, she heard the door open. And immediately, she closed her eyes.

She didn't know why, but she did.

Alright, she did know why. She didn't want to walk and wanted to be carried by him.

His big hand warmed up her forehead and his soothing voice warmed her soul.

"Honeybuns, dinner is ready!"

"Jeryl," he kissed her cheek as she didn't move.. "Wake up! Have dinner and sleep afterward."

"Mmm…" she hummed and wrapped her hand around his neck. "Carry…" she whispered.

Jeremy's lips curved to a smile. He picked her up and walked down the stairs. She rarely acts like this and he wanted to treasure it.

She always does her own work even if she feels like it or not. And so she is allowed a day or two where she doesn't want to walk. Especially, after how much she pleased him in the afternoon.

As he expected, she smiled brightly at the spread of her favorite dishes on the table and thanked him for the dishes.

He fixed her hair behind her ears and caressed her cheek.  She looked at him with a smile.

"Eat well and rest," he kissed her forehead and she nodded happily.

After dinner, he swallowed his laughter seeing her walk. It seems like she really couldn't move and that's why she asked for his help.

"You walk like a duck," he carried her to the couch.

"Shut up! I walk like a Victoria's Secret model!" she playfully hit his chest only for him to laugh.

"Yes, of course!" he said and she pouted.

He placed her on the couch and sat beside her. Wrapping his hand around her shoulder, he kissed her. The empty fireplace and living room upset him.

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we don't have a Christmas tree," he leaned on her head and sighed.

"We have a Christmas tree back home… I worry about Earl and Duke, Joel…" she sighed. "Earl seemed so thin. I bet he is not eating because he misses me. Even with his winter fur, he's looking thin. I wonder-"

"Earl is thin?" Jeremy laughed. "That son of a b*tch got pudgy stealing snacks from you. Without you there to overfeed, he probably is back to his original weight! So don't worry…" he leaned to kiss her but she moved away. "Why?" he asked.

"Don't talk about Earl this way!" she knitted her brows. "Earl's a dear!"

"Yeah, I wish he was a deer. Then he can stare at the headlights of a semi-truck all he wants," Jeremy laughed.

"Joel!" Jerlina pinched his arm and he sprang up and walked to the kitchen.

"Catch me, darling!" he shook his derriere. "Come on! Run to me!"

"You nasty!" Jerlina searched for something to throw at him but he hurried inside the kitchen, laughing out loud.

With a smile, Jerlina lay on the couch and her eyes ended up on the place where they usually set the Christmas tree.

It would be good if there is a Christmas tree!

She doesn't remember much except that one Christmas where she eagerly waited for the presents. Her grandpa promised her that Santa would bring her the Barbie doll set she wished for if she is good. She was really good that year except when she accidentally broke the plates when she set them on the table.

She remembered worrying if Santa would consider it naughty and won't bring her gifts.

Ah… memories…

She got the Barbie set but that was the last Christmas she spent with her grandpa. After her grandfather's death, her life pretty much turned pathetic.

Come to think of it, I HAVEN'T BOUGHT ANY PRESENTS FOR JOEL!!!

Holy Moly!!! How am I this careless? How can I forget this important thing?

I am an idiot!

Should I just wrap myself in a bow and say that I am his present?

Ah! That would be the laziest and thoughtless gift ever!

Think, Jerlina!

"He finally croaked," Jeremy walked towards her with a smile.

He passed her the phone and Jerlina got it and played the video. For him to smile this much, she thought it must be some cute pet video or one of the videos his people sent where the younger ones act stupid.

But watching that video, she felt her stomach churn.

It was a place she almost recognized and with the focus lights, everything was clear and… It was pure gore – the death of Viper.

And that amount of gore is something Jerlina couldn't stomach. The fact that it is not a movie and it actually happened made her head spin.

"Geez! Joel!" Jerlina retched.

" Why didn't you warn me first?" she looked at him diligently patting her back.

"Sorry, Do you want a puke bucket?" Jeremy asked.

It was just the video of the death of Viper. He thought she would be happy…

Ah, right! What was I thinking?

Jeremy placed his hand on his forehead. Even if it is someone she hates, she won't be able to bear it.

"I'm fine…" Jerlina took in a deep breath.

"Who had this idea...?" Jerlina took a peek at the paused screen.

Viper was upside down and there was a thick stick stuck in his a** … his screams and his pleading to die…

"Is this what impalement is? Geez! That's very cruel…" she said patting her heart.

To think people used to use this as a form of punishment in the early days…

"It's sunny side down impalement," Jeremy sat beside her and hugged her. "Weren't you the one who couldn't stop feeling angry because he held baby Cia upside down? So I asked the Doctor to keep him upside down," Jeremy tried to explain. "And the impalement… it might be Jonathan Erling's input," He shrugged. "He might have wanted to channel in his ancestor's spirit-"

"Oww, that's enough!" Jerlina closed her ears. "Thank you, anyway."

She was not feeling bad for Viper at all. It's just she didn't like the gore. She would have lived the rest of her life without seeing this video, with no regrets, but her dear husband has to ruin her sleep!

At least, he did it out of goodwill!

Jerlina leaned on Jeremy and let out a deep breath.

"Want something sour?" Jeremy asked seeing her face. She looked like she was going to puke any moment. "I didn't know you had a weak stomach," he laughed.

"Yeah…" Jerlina pouted. "I don't have the stomach for violence unless it is staged," she sighed.

"You're so…" Jeremy paused. He was going to say "Weak" but he knew he cannot say that word about his wife. She is a strong woman; just in a different way.

"A couple of years back, we all got a message," he said running his fingers through her hair.

"Oh?" Jerlina placed her hand on his chest and leaned on his shoulder.

He wasn't wearing a shirt and was just in his boxers and his warmth made her blissful.