Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"You're not a Princess, honey buns," Jeremy trailed his hand on her cheek. He saw his wedding band reflecting the sun and his lips curved to a smile.

He didn't know how how much she remembered of the ring exchange. Her fingers were cold and she almost dropped the ring as she was very nervous. 

But yeah... I am married to her!

On her hand placed on her lap was an identical ring to his. The rings turned out great and they fit them both perfectly.

We are married!

"You're a Queen by right," he added and placed a kiss on her cheek.

She really is! At least, according to Alexander Volkonsky and his supporters.

"Queen?" Jerlina was confused.

By right, he says?

"Yeah, my queen," he smiled.

He watched the frown line between her eyebrows melt as her lips curved up. "You're smooth, Jeremy," she chuckled.

God, she's beautiful!

Jerlina didn't want to talk more to that man with a buttery tongue and decided to look around. People in their homes on their way were waving at them and she waved back with a smile.

He really is treated like royalty here, isn't he? 

But his queen..? Hmm...

"Where is the reception?" Jerlina asked. They've left Wolford and were parading the streets of Peyton and she didn't know where they are going.

"Hmm... Where?" he shrugged and Jerlina glared at him playfully only for him to end up laughing. He was sitting close to her and whenever the sun peeked out from the clouds, he covered her face with his hands.

She could say that no one can protect him like he does.

"Dr. Kruger... your mom wasn't there. You didn't invite her?" she asked. She didn't remember seeing the doctor. Even the Harrisons were all there and how come his mom didn't attend the wedding?

"She refused to attend..." he said and his face turned dull. 

"Why?" she held his hand. She didn't like to see him sad. He looked away and she gripped his hand. "Why?" she repeated.

"Mom... she was hurt by Emma's mom. You know I was her foster child, right? Alexander helped me with that..." he took a deep breath and Jerlina patted his hand. She could see it is a hard topic for him to speak about.

"Some blamed Jeremiah for leaving his son in foster care and he and his wife were ashamed. I didn't want to return there and they caused trouble for mom to save their pride. But mom endured everything for me. She doesn't like them and won't be where they are. I'd gladly have her in their place, but they have no shame and my mom has more pride..." he smiled wryly.

Jerlina pursed her lips and she became sad too. He saw how terribly he behaved with Emma's family and even then they are here. She won't mistake their presense to be out of love for him. She saw that they didn't care for him but acted like they own the place.

But Dr. Kruger is a good person and she truly cares for Jeremy. She should have seen him getting married.

  Sometimes good people don't want to dirty themselves by fighting with scums and it makes the scums think they are superior.

"Let's go to the clinic," she said reaching a decision.

"What?" he was surprised.

"You would like it when she attends the reception, right?" She asked and he couldn't even reply. "Let's ask her once more."

"Please, take us to the clinic," she directly spoke with the coachman.

Jeremy saw her side profile as she watched eagerly to reach the clinic. He didn't know what she is thinking; he didn't want to know really. 

Superficially looking, it seemed like she cared for what he wants and that's how he wanted to take it as. 

But, that probably is the truth. He knows she is a kind soul.

Jerlina wasn't thinking much actually. If she thought deeply, she would have felt guilty to get involved in this issue since this is a fake wedding. 

She just didn't like to see him with a regret and so she wanted to give it a try.

"Jerlina... she won't change her mind," he said as they reached the clinic. 

He didn't want her to get her hopes up and face rejection. He begged his mom for days and she refused. She's not going to change her mind now.

"It's fine even if she refuses. At least she'll see you as a groom in person, right?" Jerlina said with a smile and walked out.

Jeremy stood and watched her walk with determination. Lifting her veil and the train of her dress, in her heels, she walked at a larger pace. A part of her veil fluttered in the wind and her hair shone like the snow in the sun. 

How can I not love her?

How can I give up on her? 

Should I give up on her?

He heard from Charlie that she had a clean break with that guy the other day before he slapped her. And he didn't think that she is someone who'd go behind a man who hit her. If that is the case, Gerard is out of the race.

Why should I give up on her?

Why can't I pursue her? 

How am I unsuitable for her? I love her more than anything...

As he lingered, she already entered the clinic and he saw Wyatt standing at the distance. His heart skipped a beat thinking she might be in danger. 

Why is he here? Did he bring his tiger in his car?

"She your wife, TJ? Keep 'er closer!! " he shouted showing the peace sign and a weird grin.

F*ck! Is that a threat?

Jeremy stared at him and ran inside the clinic. The entire place was filled with Tiger's people and his heart stopped beating.

*Pop* *Pop*

He heard two distinct pops in the hallway where his mom's office is at and his hands naturally went to the holster and grabbed his weapon. 

God, please no! 

------

Emma was already p*ssed off seeing Jerlina leaving in a carriage. She was also getting a lot of calls from the hospital. It seemed like Gerard threw another tantrum injuring a nurse after checking his phone and the hospital management asks her to move him elsewhere.

Yeah, I sent him that b*tch's wedding pictures and so he did that? Did he think about me? What should I do now? I can't ask dad's help and Jeremy isn't even looking at me. Why am I the only one suffering?

"Yeah, he married down... but you do what you do for your kids..." Jeremiah Harrison had his sycophantic smile on. "Harold...Ah, he's busy with all the preparations. It's his brother's wedding after all. Harold! Come greet Mr. Greenwald..." 

He didn't forget to introduce his son either. This one is a rich investor from the other side of the pond and he needed his investments for his finance firm.

"You do what you do as a father," Mr. Greenwald chuckled. 

He was wondering why Fitzgerald's father is a Harrison. Maybe he kept his mother's name? It is not so clear in the aristocratic circles. There are a lot of speculations though. But as far as he seen, it seems like Jeremy is close with his Harrison family.

Jeremiah kept on talking with that group of men as the preparation was going on.

"Yeah, he's going to change his company's name to Harrison Lumber Corp. We are already operating as a family company after all..." he went on.

After using Emma to change Jeremy's name to Harrison, this is the obvious next step. He needs to create rumors. Emma can convince that b*stard to change his company's name and then... the ownership of the company.

It's inevitable!

He saw Emma at the distance scrolling through her phone.

Can she pull this off? She couldn't stop the wedding...  She let that Volkonsky slip away... Can't she learn from her brother?

Even the one she married didn't bring anything productive to our table. He got mugged and ended up in the hospital.

Will she ever be useful? Useless b*tch!

Just then, everyone scrambled around and there were a lot of murmurs around. He noticed Jeremy's people running to the road.

What happened?