Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

What does she mean by what she gave? Crazy psychopath!

Jerlina decided to not mind what she says.

"You'll regret speaking these words to me…You will lose your peace. When I have my billion, I would…" Emma then smirked. "I'll make sure you'll suffer. It's war!" Emma said pointing at Jerlina.

"Do what you can, b*tch!" Jerlina was not polite with her.

With a scoff and covering her chest, Emma walked towards the road. Jerlina watched Jimmy standing by the side glaring at Emma and she glared back at him.

  "Don't come back here!" Someone from the crowd shouted.

"As if I'd ever come back to this shithole!" Emma scoffed.

"Watch your way out!" Someone else shouted.

They don't have to do that. What If Joel sees it? He might feel bad…

Jerlina was about to talk to the crowd about it but she felt the familiar warmth of her man around her waist.

Her heart skipped a beat.

How much did he hear?

She was not afraid if he heard her threatening Emma. She knew he wouldn't mind. She feared if he had heard what she said about him. She didn't think that he'd have the heart to digest his dear sister's thoughts about him.     

"Let's go home, Jeryl," he said placing his hand at her lower back.

Jerlina was frozen but he kissed her forehead. "Your lumberjack husband who is filled with love wants to get back home," he said with a smile. 

So he heard everything.

Her heart filled with sadness.

"Don't feel bad," he patted her back. "I am not regretting my decision to stand behind the tree and eavesdrop on your conversation," he tried to speak in a jovial tone trying to cheer her up. But seeing her still with a sad face on, he kissed her.

"Thank you, Jerlina," he said and Jerlina looked at him. He seemed to be hiding a lot of meanings behind that thanks. 

She could only sigh. 

He doesn't deserve to hear this.

Jerlina didn't speak anything afterward and returned to the car with him. Jeremy was silent the whole way through and Jerlina fell asleep before she knew it.

When Jerlina woke up she felt her entire body burning and there was a cold compress on her forehead. Removing the wet towel, she turned to her side to see Jeremy sitting on a chair with his feet on the bed with a document in his hand.

"Don't!" he stood up. "Just lie down. You have a fever," he said and stood up. "Here," he handed her an antipyretic pill and a glass of water.

Jerlina could sense her fever and she took the medicine without rejecting it. 

"I'll sleep some more," she said and he nodded.

"Sleep, I'll bring something to eat," he kissed her forehead.

"It's just a slight fever. It'll go away once I sleep a bit…" she said as she could see him looking hurt.

"I know… Sleep, love," he kissed her between her eyes.

Jerlina's head hurt a lot and with the gentle feeling of his kiss caressing her, she closed her eyes. He started to pat her back gently and she fell asleep once more. 

Jeremy felt sorry for her. For almost a month she's been working without rest. He was not feeling fine for a week or two and even after that she was the one who took care of everything while he rested and had a good time. 

Not to mention, she barely slept six hours a day because he couldn't keep his hands off of her. And these few days, she's been running here and there doing all the arrangements for the funeral while he stared at walls.

How useless am I?

He got so comfortable with her doing everything without complaining and he forgot that she too is a human being. He became the same kind of guy Gerard was. Rather than becoming her support, he had become a baby she needs to look after.

I cannot treat her like this. This fever might be light but it is a warning that she has a fragile body. She cannot overwork herself to having a fever. 

Deciding to cook something healthy for her, he got down. As he was rummaging the fridge, he heard the familiar voice and stepped out.

"Scar?" he peeked out. "Is everything alright?" he asked as she didn't look fine either.

"Bobby!" he welcomed Bobby who walked behind his wife dragging his feet.

"Where's Jerlina?" Scarlett asked with a sigh. "Oh, it's nothing…" Scarlett waved her hand seeing Jeremy's panicked look. "We came here to thank her. She helped a lot and without her, we wouldn't have-"

"Oh, please, Scar…" Jeremy smiled. "There is no need for that. She did what we must."

"Look at you proudly speaking for her!" Scar patted his arm. 

"Of course I can speak for her," Jeremy said with a puffed chest. "I am her husband."

"Sorry for not bringing you anything," Scarlett waved her hand.

Jeremy shrugged. He knew Scarlett brought Bobby here for dinner. And he didn't mind that. They probably didn't want to be alone in their sorrow. 

"Bobby, beer?" He asked and Bobby nodded half-heartedly. "Well, we can skip it-"

"No, just one bottle," Bobby extended his hand.

"Where's Cia?" Jeremy asked. 

Surprisingly, he sees Scar without Cia these days. She used to never leave Cia away from her eyesight.

"With my parents," Scarlett sat at the dining table. "Mom asked me to rest but we…"  She sighed and petted Duke who came to her.

"I'll set the guest room for you," Jeremy said and entered the kitchen. "Stay the night," he threw the beer can at Bobby and Bobby caught it.

"Where's Chippy?" Bobby asked.

"She's resting. She has a mild fever and-"

"Fever?" Scarlett stood up." Why didn't you tell me? Was she helping us with her fever then? Why did you let her?" she got up the stairs.

"It's not a severe one. She'd be fine once she rests. Don't disturb her, Scar. She took medications. Let's wake her up after dinner is ready," Jeremy stopped Scarlett and she returned to her seat.

"She's been a great help for us and now I am sad she got-"

"Oh, shut up, Scar!" Jeremy rolled his eyes. "She'd feel bad if she knows you are regretting her help."

"You idiot! That's not what I mean!" Scarlett grumbled.

"Don't say anything to her," Jeremy said and walked into the kitchen. 

Bobby smiled at Scarlett shaking her head. He was happy Jeremy is on such good terms with his wife. Although he couldn't function properly, he noticed how much Jerlina helped them.

He even overheard some of the boys saying that Jerlina is better than they thought as she is kind and she works hard. They also were glad that she is treating them all the same.

Well, he always believed that. And now he could see that. Not to mention, she is courageous and vengeful too if needed.

He sighed. 

Ah, mom... Why did you leave us all so early...? You didn't see Jerry getting along with his wife splendidly!