Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina couldn't take her eyes off the little boy with pretty green eyes. Those eyes reminded her of Gerard and the baby she lost. 

She fixed the long unkempt hair of the boy by running her fingers through them. The boy had a pleasing smile. He was shy at first but then started to play with her hair.

She got some snacks for the boy from the others and he was happily chomping on them while talking non-stop. 

Should I just bring him with me?

Jerlina wondered. His father left him out in the cold. He wouldn't mind if someone else raises his son, right?

But... She was told that Wyatt came running here as soon as he heard the news that his son is with Jeremy. News from Wyatt's town is that he was searching every nook and corner of his town for his son.

Ugh!

Jeremy, sitting at a distance from her watched her without blinking. She was casually wiping the boy's snot, wiping his face, and was holding him the whole time. 

And the smile on her face...

He could see a different kind of smile on her face. Something he never has seen on her before. 

She'd have made a good mother, wouldn't she? It's a pity she lost her child.

Is this her motherly instinct?

Although she looked happy, that little sadness in her eyes couldn't be missed either.

Is she thinking about her missing child? 

But he knew she didn't talk about it to him. 

"He's talking?" Jerlina was startled by the voice heard from her side. 

She heard the sound of chain clinking and the tiger stood up. 

Jerlina turned to see a big guy walking towards her, chewing gum. He had a buzz cut and was wearing a suit and a heavy chain on his neck. 

So, this should be gang lord Wyatt.

Seeing the guy, the boy buried his face in Jerlina's chest.

"Benny," the guy ruffled his hair and the boy held Jerlina closer. 

"You're mad at me?"

Wyatt asked the boy.

His tone was soft but the boy didn't want to look at him and he squatted beside Jerlina, patting the boy's back.

"Wyatt!" Jeremy pointed at a chair in front of him. He didn't like to see Wyatt sitting closer to Jerlina. 

"Come on here, young master," a lady walked to the boy with a thick coat for the boy. 

Young master?

Jerlina thought that woman might be the boy's nanny. She stood up and passed the boy to the woman and he didn't refuse to go to her.

The woman looked scared to talk to her and Jerlina thought if she was advised not to engage with her.

She saw Wyatt with two of his men, walking towards Jeremy. Khan followed Wyatt. Charlie and Bobby, we're standing behind Jeremy.

Jeremy's eyes were serious and it was different than she has ever seen. Even when he admonishes her, she would see a little kindness in them but now his gaze at Wyatt was different. 

It was stiff and... Regal.

He's a king, alright.

Wyatt wasn't any different. With his back straight and eyes unwavering, he didn't seem scared that he was Jeremy's turf with no weapon in his hand. 

He has his pet tiger, but still...

Jerlina walked behind the tiger to get to Jeremy. She had something to say to Wyatt and that's why she left the boy with his nanny easily.

She saw the beast walking majestically. In a way, his gait was not so different from the cat she once raised. She wondered how it would feel to touch a tiger. 

Will it be fluffy like a cat? Or will its fur feel different? 

Jeremy noticed his little woman eying the tiger and somewhere in his chest, it didn't feel right. 

Seeing her walking towards him, he gestured to bring a chair for her. Charlie placed a chair by his side for her and when she sat beside him, he felt full, like the final puzzle piece was placed in the right spot and the puzzle was completed.

Yes, having her by his side is the last puzzle piece.

He told her that he'd show him what he does and he needed to tell them that she is his partner in everything.

Jerlina for a moment wondered if Jeremy would mind her presence but as Charlie placed the chair for her, she was relieved.

Well, he did tell her that he'd show her everything.

"Do you like the tiger that much?" Jeremy whispered in her ear. 

Jerlina didn't get the bitterness in his tone. 

"I want to touch it to feel its fur," she whispered with a smile. She couldn't contain her wish.

"Really?" Jeremy was not that pleased.

"I want to thank the missus for taking care of my boy till now," Wyatt started with thanking Jerlina.

He was a little surprised that Jeremy lets his woman sit beside him while he is on a meeting with another gang lord.

"Some father you are," Jerlina didn't hold her contempt. "Not even knowing where your four-year-old went with your pet TIGER? Do you realize what could have gone wrong? That tiger appeared out of nowhere and... He might have gotten killed, Mr. Wyatt! If I didn't notice that boy, with the tiger there... Do you realize? He was shivering... He might have..." She gritted her teeth. "Don't have kids if you aren't going to care for them."

This is a serious issue. If Jeremy married her because the families of the gang leaders cannot be touched, wouldn't it have caused a war if that boy got hurt? 

And leaving an exotic pet like a tiger and a little boy unsupervised... How negligent is that?

She couldn't get that shivering image of the boy out of her mind. How negligent is he to leave his son out in the cold?

Jeremy didn't try to stop her. It is something personal for her. Wyatt is worse than her father.

Plus, he wondered if it was deliberate. Did he try and send his son here to find a reason to start a war? 

Will a father risk the life of his son for whatever reason?

"Seems like the missus is angry," Wyatt chuckled.

"Is this a joking matter?" Jerlina gritted her teeth. She was really mad.

"It's not," Wyatt pressed his lips and stood up. The guys with him and Charlie and Bobbie got alert. Wyatt turned and walked his hand at his guys. 

"I heard the missus was the one who stopped a disaster from happening and took care of my boy," his eyes reddened. "I... I thank you," Wyatt stood up and placing his hand on his chest, bowed his head.

Jerlina was stunned and Jeremy let out a sigh as he crossed his legs.

It seems like this was an accident. Otherwise, Wyatt won't bow his head to anyone. 

"After my wife died..." He looked up and wiped a drip of tear from his eye. "Benny..."

Jerlina didn't expect that ruffian looming guy to actually cry in front of her remembering his wife.

"... He stopped speaking... My oldest... He understood to some extent that he can't see his mother but he... At least the baby won't even know what he missed. But Benny..." He cleared his throat.

So he has two other kids? A baby? Poor guy...

Jerlina felt bad.

"Benny was the most affected... The doctor said he was affected psychologically... But he spoke to you... I think... I think it is your hair..." Wyatt smiled and took his seat again.

"My wife... She was a fan of the Khaleesi and so she colored her hair white... Like you..." He pointed at Jerlina. "I guess Khan didn't attack you thinking you're... She had long hair though..." He pointed to his waist. "She liked the same hair styles as the... Khaleesi and would..."

"Get a doctor if you want someone to talk to, Wyatt." Jeremy was not as touched as Jerlina. He didn't care about his personal issues. 

Jerlina flinched a bit by the coldness emitted from Jeremy's voice. 

But she agreed with him. Wyatt is not their kin or their partner. They need not get overly familiar with them. 

Wyatt took in a deep breath and she saw his eyes clearing up and he gained his composure.

"Viper came to meet me," he crossed his legs, and only then he looked at Jeremy. Till then he was talking to Jerlina.

"He offered me ten million to help kill your wife..." He paused and reached his pocket.

Jerlina's heart started to pound. 

Ten million? For help? So how much is that guy getting to kill me?

Bobby and Charlie reached to their weapon and Wyatt chuckled as he took out a pack of cigarettes. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a lighter. The tiger that was lying by his feet stood up.

Jeremy tapped his knee with his fingers. He didn't understand what Wyatt is doing. He seemed unreadable.

"Shaun couldn't stop talking about the missus... He said the missus helped him a lot..." Wyatt this time didn't look at Jerlina. 

Jerlina could feel the atmosphere turning stifling. Don't tell me, he thanked me first before trying to kill me because he didn't want to feel owed?

"TJ's lady this, TJ's lady that..." Wyatt waved his hand and his eyes turned hateful. "...Nonstop... He advised me even. My ears felt..." He gritted his teeth. 

"I wanted to stop hearing about the missus... Ten million is not a small amount is it?"