Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina staggered back holding her chest. Her eyes clouded and she leaned on the wall for support.

The truth is out! He finally realized the truth!

It won't change anything from the past, but she felt vindicated. She knew it. She knew Emma was behind it but her voice wasn't heard. A lot happened, but finally, the truth came out.

She wouldn't say she was happy. There is nothing to be happy about in this circumstance. But she was relieved. She now knows that her beliefs weren't wrong and Emma is the source of most of her troubles.

She let out a sigh.

She looked at the tall back in front of her, shielding her from Emma. His voice was shaking and she could feel his pain. 

Is he showing me that I am more important to him? By confronting his sister in front of me... By confronting the one I thought was his most important person in front of me, is he telling me that he takes my side?

No, it should be because the truth is on my side.

But he insisted on my presence here. Although he's hurt, he wanted me here. He was willing to show me his vulnerable side He wanted to tell me that he will stand by my side even against Emma when the truth is by my side.

He is a good guy.

She wanted to hug that back. That tall back that looked lonely and hurt. He doesn't deserve this pain. 

"How did you..?" Emma's voice shook and she staggered back. Jeremy saw the utter disbelief in her face and it hurt him. "You investigated me?" 

She pointed at him with her trembling fingers. She looked hurt.

Looking at her, for some reason, Jeremy felt guilty. Emma's eyes were red and the corners of her lips trembled. Along with that bruise in her face, she looked very pitiful like she was forsaken by all. 

And for a moment, he thought that he shouldn't have messed with what happened in the past.

Jerlina saw that pitiful act and rolled her eyes. 

She's acting pitiful to get out of this situation? Is she trying to manipulate him using her tears?

For a moment, her eyes met with Emma's and she saw the malice in her eyes. It gave her a fright and she walked near the door. She feared Emma might try and damage her rose planter. 

But then Emma's glance turned towards Jeremy.

"Jerry, you're not even believing my words anymore?" Emma said pitifully and ran out.

Her shoulder grazed on Jerlina's shoulder as she passed her. Jerlina became alert.

Jerlina sighed in relief when Emma didn't climb up the stairs. If Emma got anywhere near her bedroom, Jerlina was willing to pull out Emma's extensions, if necessary, to stop her from damaging the rose planter. 

Emma ran out of the house not before turning back a couple of times. 

Is she expecting Jeremy to follow her and stop her?

Jerlina flinched as she felt something grazing her shoulder and it was Jeremy's shirt sleeve. He walked out of the dining room in a large gait.

Jerlina sighed and turned back to finish her lunch. 

It was sad to see him hurt, but it was sadder to see him run behind Emma still.

This is a very delicate subject and she can do only a little. If she tries to do more, Jeremy might think that she is actively trying to separate him and his sister.

Nonetheless, she was relieved that Jeremy now knows the truth about Emma. And he'd be a bit more careful in the future. She only wished he wouldn't fall for her manipulation. 

She was about to sit when she heard the familiar gait and turned to look. He looked defeated and she walked to him. 

His eyes were red and he rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. She said nothing and wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

He looked like he needed a hug.

"My Luna..." he hissed in her ears and fell on her shoulder. 

She couldn't bear his weight, but she held on. He was shaking as if he was crying and she rubbed his back.

"It'll be fine, Joel...Everything will be fine..."

She said in a soothing voice as she wasn't even sure if he was crying. 

Jeremy wanted to cry; he was about to cry, but her calm voice made him better. 

He wanted to follow Emma out as he thought she was distressed and he was worried for her. Like a blinded horse, he was about to follow her not even realizing that Emma had no moral authority in this issue when she is the one who committed wrong.

But when he passed Jerlina, he felt his heart squeeze. He almost reached the stairs, and he thought Jerlina would stop him, but she was nowhere to be found.

He realized it.

Emma should be the one apologizing for everything she did. She should not be acting pitiful and blame him for "investigating" her when she almost destroyed Jerlina's life.

I did no wrong and why am I feeling guilty?

He returned to the dining room and he saw Jerlina, with a peaceful face, Jerlina was about to sit down. 

That's right... she won't waste food.

What an idiotic woman... She could have used this chance to do a lot against Emma, but she is quiet. Even after I advised her, she is quiet.

Why?

And Emma... the rage she had for Jerlina...

When Jerlina hugged him, he was washed over with mixed emotions. He wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. But he cried. 

On one hand, is the little girl he loved for more than two decades who now turned to be unrecognizable. And on the other hand, is the one embracing him now. This one endured all the pain and still can be silent. He said he'd prioritize her but left her to run behind Emma. She still can comfort him.

He cried; he cried for her – the one in his heart. 

'You're Emma's brother.'

She says this all the time and he didn't realize the meaning behind it till now. Now he realized the pain in her heart when she says that.

He is Emma's brother. It has become a habit for him. To answer Emma's calls wherever he is, to run behind her without thinking...

But he wanted to change that. 

-----

"Do you want something stronger?" she asked handing him a glass of water. He didn't let go for a long time and she helped him sit when he let go.

His eyes looked a little puffed and she could understand he had cried. He must be hurt seeing the real self of Emma.

"Jerlina," he got the glass and placed it on the table. "I am sorry," he held her hand.

She was a little confused. His eyes that were rimmed red, were fixed on her and his lips trembled as he spoke.

"I am sorry for not believing you when you spoke about Emma before."