Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Your face..?" Emma asked knitting her brows pointing at Jerlina's face.

Jerlina saw the slight smile banging on to be let out at the corner of Emma's lips. 

"You look worse," Jerlina said with a fake concerned face. "What happened?" 

Emma clenched her jaws for a second before turning towards Jeremy with a smile. "Jerry, you didn't hurt Jer thinking of getting back at Gerard, did you? You have to control your anger. She and Gerard are different people and..."

This ****! Why would Jeremy hurt me trying to get back at Gerard? Does she actually believe this or inciting Jeremy to do this?

Jerlina wanted to grit her teeth, but then her jaws would hurt and so she didn't. She looked at Jeremy and he looked stunned and pale.

Yeah, Joel... Your dear sister thinks you are someone who'd act like a savage! Does it hurt? I'm sorry.

"Joel," she held his arm and smiled gently to distract his thoughts. "What's for lunch?"

"Ah, yes... I cooked soup for you. Because you had an extraction yesterday, you cannot eat solid food," Jeremy's tone was a little plain.

"Oh? You had an extraction? Which one? Wisdom teeth?..."

Emma kept on talking and Jerlina silently started to eat. Jeremy too was not very impressed. He was hurt.

"What's with this atmosphere, guys? I was just kidding! Couldn't you tell, Jerry? Oh, you used to be a lot of fun before. These days you're-"

"It's not a very good joke, Emma," Jeremy said with a sigh. "I am not someone who hurts innocents."

Emma clenched her fists under the table. She had a slight hope that Jeremy actually hurt Jerlina, but she has to watch her getting pampered instead.

Innocent, is she?

"Fine...fine..." Emma laughed hiding her anger.

  "You didn't answer her..." Jeremy looked at Emma acting like she didn't understand what he says. "How did you get hurt?" he elaborated.

"Oh... it's... Gerard got violent and he knocked over a basin of water. He screamed at me and I slipped and fell. The doorknob hit my face and he didn't even help me up. He's got a lot violent these days. He should have been careful when there are others. It is fine since I was the one who slipped and fell. What if it is some nurse or a hospital staff? We'd be liable..."

Emma went on and Jerlina saw Jeremy's hand trembling. She was shocked too.

So, she slipped and fell? Gerard didn't even push her and still, she insinuated that Gerard was responsible for the bruise?

Jeremy paused his chewing and his hand dropped the fork as he was shocked. His face turned pale and his eyes reddened with tears.

Jerlina placed her hand on his thigh and rubbed to give him comfort. She got angry. Really angry. 

Emma almost caused a murder for this?

"Well, why didn't you stop Jeremy when he left angry thinking that Gerard hurt you?" she raised her voice at Emma.

"Well, didn't you listen?" Emma's voice got high out of anger, but she immediately calmed down. "I told you he spilled the water. So he is responsible."

"And you'd let your brother confront him for that? For your carelessness? And why don't you leave Gerard?" Jerlina knitted her brows. 

Jeremy was still sitting with his head bowed and he held her hand that was on his thigh. He wanted to cry and he wanted to laugh realizing his stupidity.

If not for Jerlina, he'd have caused a commotion so big, it would have ended up in the evening papers. There is a possibility he'd have murdered Gerard too.

And Emma is this chill about this?

"Confront him?" Emma didn't even listen to Jerlina and started shouting. "Jerry didn't even leave the house, did he? Didn't you stop him?" Emma was mad. "If you're that worried about Gerard, you should stay with him and look after him. Why are you acting like you care for  my brother and creating a rift between me and my brother?"

"I really don't care about Gerard! And how did I-" Jerlina paused as she felt him squeeze her hand. 

"Leave Gerard, Emma. You don't have to stay with an abuser like him," Jeremy spoke clearing his throat. "Did you inform his parents about how he made you fall?"

Jerlina saw Emma's face going pale and she became tongue-tied. "His parents?"

Emma really didn't think that far. All she wanted was to let Gerard know that if he acted rudely with her, her brother will not let that pass. 

But why is Jerry trying to make this a big issue? Leave him? How can I let Jerlina win? 

"That...is not necessary, is it? You can give him a warning and-"

"Emma, I always felt bad for pushing you in this contractual marriage," Jeremy spoke in a soft voice. 

Emma, just tell me the truth. Tell me the truth that you liked him and you wanted this marriage to happen...please... give me some hope.

Jerlina could feel his hand getting sweaty and she held it tighter. She didn't know what he is doing, but he was anxious. She didn't want to add to his anxiousness by saying something wrong and so she stayed silent.

This is a sensitive subject for her. Emma troubled them and split them. She lost her baby in all those commotions. And Jeremy still seems to be thinking that Emma was pushed into this marriage for whatever reason. 

Yes, it hurt her. She wanted to speak, but for him, she stayed silent.

Jeremy watched Jerlina through the corner of his eyes. She looked hurt and still was silent. It hurt him more than what his sister is doing to him.

Just for a moment, Jerlina. Trust me.

  "I loved Jerlina for a long time, and when a chance presented itself... I...I involved you too. You don't have to suffer anymore. We can find another way to convince your father-"

"NO!!" Emma banged the table and stood up. "Didn't you make a deal with Gerard? You cannot-"

"But he hurt you!"

"No!"

"Why?" Jeremy insisted. 

Jerlina by now realized that Jeremy is planning something.

"You b*tch! What are you planning? What did you tell him?" Emma suddenly stood up and lunged at Jerlina. "I will not let you get back with Gerard! He will be mine just like Jerry is mine!"

"Oh, really?" Jeremy got in between and held Emma. He looked at Emma's face that was contorted ugly out of rage. 

Is this Emma? Is this the same girl who'd always smile at me? What happened to her?

"Is that why you caused trouble at Gerard's workplace and forced him to break up with Jerlina? Is that why you insisted on not telling Jerlina the truth until your wedding? Huh? You wanted him to be yours?" he held Emma's shoulders and shook her.

His eyes were red and Jerlina took a step back. He looked enraged. 

"Every time in the cabin... she kept on saying that I am helping you! I didn't believe her, I believed you and your acts. And this is how you repay my trust? Huh, Emma?"