Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Did you hear?" Jerlina ran to Jeremy. 

She was packing their clothes, and that's when she received the call from Scarlett. 

"What is it? Be careful!" Jeremy caught her as she almost tripped on the rug. 

"Mark… he killed himself," her hands were shaking and her voice trembled. 

"I don't understand why he jumped into the river. Scar told me that he wasn't drunk and that there seemed to be no signs of struggle…"

"He did?" Jeremy was shocked by the news. He hugged Jerlina who seemed to be more affected by it. He needed a hug too. 

That guy hid a lot and never let anyone know his thoughts.. The one thing he wanted was for Peyton and the county to be "clean" as he'd always say.

Did he give up now that the gangs are gone?

Jeremy could only sigh. 

And he was a little sad. He was one of those father figure he had. Although they started to strain after he met Jerlina, he never was a bad guy. He was living only for the sake of making Peyton and the towns surrounding it to be safe for everyone. 

Rest in peace, Mark!

"Should we return there?" Jerlina asked. "For his funeral?"

Jeremy sank into his thoughts. 

"And did you talk to mom, Joel? I tried to talk to her and someone else answered her call. They told me that she was busy and she didn't call me afterward…" Jerlina had a weird feeling in her heart regarding this. 

Jeremy said nothing and walked to the table and got his phone and called Charlie to get the situation there. Charlie didn't know much but he told him that the autopsy result will not be available for a couple of days and the funeral would fall on Christmas. He also told that there was a will he left and no one knows the details yet. 

Jeremy thought about it. He wanted to take her to their mothers' hometown and reveal the secret. This one didn't figure it out even after watching the wedding video. But if the situation is like this…

"I miss Earl, Joel, Jerlina complained. "And Scar was saying Duke is not very happy without you."

Jeremy pressed his lips. It seems like his wife has decided to go back to Wolford. 

But… He didn't want to return yet.

"And I am yet to meet Wyatt's in-laws. I don't know where Wyatt is but I have promised him this," Jerlina added. 

As they were talking, Jerlina's phone rang.  "It's mom," Jerlina's face brightened and Jeremy nodded. 

With a sigh, he sat on the bed. 

"Mom! How are you?" Jerlina answered the call and sat beside Jeremy. Jeremy wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he listened to them speak. 

"Did you hear, mom? About Mark?"

He couldn't hear much, but by the tone of their speech, he could see that his mom didn't know about it.  Jeremy thought she'd pass the phone to him but she kept on speaking. 

"He's here," Jerlina passed the phone.

"Don't think about him… We talked here at the hospital. I knew-"

"Hospital?" Jeremy interjected. 

His mom usually mentions the clinic as the clinic and rarely as a hospital.

Madeline clenched her jaws realizing the mistake she made. She fixed her hospital gown and sat upright. 

"Yeah, I came to St. Bart's to meet a friend," Madeline Kruger said, quenching Jeremy's suspicion. 

"What did he say?" Jeremy asked. 

If his mom is right, she was the last person Mark met with before he offed himself.

"He seemed a little off. I should have talked to him to see if he was fine…" Madeline felt guilty. She talked about her problem and he listened patiently. She failed to inquire about him. 

And now he is dead.

"Mom?" Jeremy could feel the pain in her voice. It is expected since he knew his mom was friends with Mark. He sometimes even wondered if they might end up together.

Well…

"Ah, yes… He said…Nothing much. He was happy the police are making arrests and… you know how he gets regarding the gangs, right?" she chuckled. "And, yeah…Your father… I didn't understand it clearly but it seemed like he was trying to publicize the private forest you own. By lobbying..?" she added. "He just wanted to inform you this but asked you to not worry about it because it cannot happen..?" she was doubtful. 

She is a doctor but she doesn't understand politics or business much. 

"Oh?" Jeremy's lips curved to a smirk.

With him angering the Senator and the Congressman, they won't think twice before trying to get his property from him. And my father is involved, huh? Interesting!

But they cannot succeed. Did they think that I never thought about it? I can handle it.

"Mom, how is your health?" he asked. She sounded tired. 

"I am fine," Madeline lied easily. "I am just a bit tired."

"Mom, just take rest. You never listen to me. If you're not taking care of yourself, who else will? And with your good friend passing… Mom, I'll be there, alright? Jerlina wants to return there too," Jeremy changed his heart. 

"No!" Madeline almost screamed. "What about your plans to spend Christmas in your mother's hometown? I am fine. Yes, Mark's passing makes me sad. But I can get through this. I won't be able to forgive myself if you cancel your plans with your wife for me," she spoke in a pleading tone. 

"Okay then… Mom, but please take care of your health alright? I won't be able to forgive myself if you get sick," he said.

"Alright, alright.." Madeline laughed. She was happy hearing the heartfelt words of the son she gained. "And have a good time with your wife. I'll be waiting for my grandchild soon!"

She laughed. She never thought that she would be the one to say these words to her son. But she wanted to hold a grandchild. Her wish got amplified after her recent health scare. 

Yes, she became that obnoxious woman who pesters her son to have a child, every time he calls.

"Bye," Jeremy ended the call. 

"So?" Jerlina heard little pieces of what they spoke. "Are we~"

"We are going to Jasperville," Jeremy smiled. Talking to his mom has cleared his mind.

"But…" Jerlina was still not convinced.

"You don't want to go with me?" Jeremy pouted and pulled her closer to him. 

"I will," Jerlina surrendered and pecked his lips. 

-----

"Doctor, what is this?" Daisy asked waving the report in front of Madeline Kruger.

"How did you?" her eyes widened and she tried to get it from Daisy's hand but Daisy didn't let her.

"The date…You're keeping it a secret for this long? You should tell this to Jeremy and-"

"Daisy, please…" Madeline pleaded. "That boy… he's happy after a very long time. He wants to take her somewhere for Christmas and…" She tilted her head and looked at Daisy pleadingly. "You understand, right..?"

"Ugh!"Daisy sighed. "but still-"

"Let's wait until he returns, alright? Until new year?" Madeline pleaded.

"Yeah, what could go wrong in mere days, right?" Daisy agreed making Madeline sigh in relief.