Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Both of them talked for some time and returned to their respective husbands who were watching the repeat of a match their team won. 

"Really?" Scarlett asked in a mocking tone and sat beside Bobby.

"Why not?" he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair. "We watch the movies you like repeatedly…"

Jerlina with a smile was about to sit beside Jeremy but he pulled her to sit between his legs. Jerlina didn't struggle. With his arms around her shoulders, she felt warm and protected.

"That's not the same!" Scarlett hit Bobby's thigh.

"All the same…" Bobby chuckled.

They chatted for some time and went to bed.

"Joel…" Jerlina hugged him and started to kiss his chin as her hands headed south.

"Sleep for tonight," Jeremy kissed her forehead. 

"Why? I am fine…" Jerlina pouted.

"What a thirsty wife…" he chuckled and rubbed her back. "Sleep… have some rest…"

"Joel…" Jerlina called Jeremy as she couldn't sleep.

"What?" Jeremy smiled. "Can't sleep?" 

It seems like his wife is finding it hard to sleep without exercising. He wanted to let her rest for a night but it seems like his wife is not very appreciative of him.

"You're fine, right?" she placed her hand on his chest. 

She still couldn't come to terms with everything Emma spoke so blatantly about Joel. 

"I am!" Jeremy didn't understand why she is asking this now. "What is this about?"

"Emma… she…" Jerlina placed a kiss on his chest. "Don't mind her, alright?"

She knew even if he doesn't say it aloud, he should be hurting inside. 

"I am not…" Jeremy hugged her. "I am a little hurt but not as much as you think…" he said. "More than her words, I remember yours better and so, I am happy..?" he said.

He didn't think of it deeply till now. Yes, Emma's words hurt but more than that he was very happy how well Jerlina has understood him. 

And he could see that she has grown a lot. Although she cannot shout and scream like some, she in her own way, stood up against Emma and proved her that she is his wife.

He saw how much she is appreciated by everyone in the town. And it made him feel proud. He decided to think more about the one who loves him rather than the one who does not love him.

"She is not fine, Joel…" Jerlina said. "I hope she doesn't do anything that might be a danger to others. Otherwise… I won't mind killing her…"

"Hey," Jeremy hugged her. He didn't understand why she has this kind of thought. Emma causing danger to lives? Is she that evil?

But Bobby has the same thoughts as her and she usually is right. His heart still couldn't accept Emma as such a cruel one.

"Let's hope that it doesn't come to that," he said. "And don't let hate fill your thoughts. It's not good."

"Yeah," Jerlina agreed. 

She was stuck in the bitter feelings of resentment and it only drained her. She shouldn't be thinking of Emma again. 

"What have you thought of your name, Joel?" She asked.

She wanted to talk to him about it for a long time but she never got the chance.

"My name?" he asked.

"Yeah, I am thinking of taking your name but I am not keen on taking the Harrison name," she was blunt. 

She didn't feel the need to be polite to express her dislike for his father's family. She liked none of them.

"My name?" Jeremy was stunned. 

She thought she'd like to keep her name like most women these days. So he didn't think she'd want to take his name. He didn't prepare himself for this conversation. But he was very happy she asked this of him.

"You don't agree?" Jerlina asked as he didn't say anything for a long time. "I wouldn't mind much even if it is Harrison."

"No!" he replied. "No way. Why would I be?" he kissed her. "I'm… overwhelmed," he said. "I never thought that one day you'd ask me to give you my name."

"Oh? I'm a little hurt you didn't ask me to though…" Jerlina spoke honestly.

"Really? Do couples talk about it?" 

"Yeah… Usually before their wedding. But nothing went proper in our case… But it is fine this way too, right?" Jerlina had a pleased smile. 

"It is!" Jeremy rubbed her back. "I was already planning on changing my name back to Fitzgerald. And… If you are changing your company name… why not change your name to Hamilton, Jeryl? Won't it be good for your company?"

"Why?" Jerlina looked at him. "I get your point but it is enough for the company to have the Hamilton brand name. The CEO doesn't necessarily have to be a Hamilton, right?" 

"Right…" he said and started to chuckle and kiss her forehead. "I don't know why this makes me so happy but I am…" 

"It's symbolic, Joel…" Jerlina explained to him. "I am joining your family and I am happy for it too. I have a lot of people around me. Some I knew even when from I was little; some were acquainted later in my life… But you were the one who gave me a family and I am happy to take your name… even if you prefer the Harrison name…" she said.

At the end of the day, it is his name she is taking and not his father's. And she wouldn't mind it either way.

"No, no… I don't want to be a Harrison," Jeremy had already made that decision. "You sure?" he asked. He still couldn't believe it. 

An amazing woman wants to take my name and wants to be part of my family!

The Fitzgerald name has clout in the aristocratic circle but the Hamilton name has more of it. And by saying Hamilton, she would be associating with the Erling family too. But still, she wants to take my name?

"How about hyphenating? Fitzgerald- Hamilton or Hamilton-Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald-Hamilton has a nice ring to it…" he said.

"Hyphenated names suck! Do you not want me to take your name, husband?" Jerlina furrowed her brows. 

She could sense that he is overwhelmed and floating in the outerspace out of happiness and babbling whatever comes to his mouth. Or he might be wondering if she took this decision hastily. 

"No! That's not it!" Jeremy held her cheek as he got flustered. He was not planning on making her feel that way. "As I said-"

"Pfft…" Jerlina laughed. "I know… I was always planning on taking my husband's name, Joel. And I've thought about it enough. So…"

"Okay then, Jeryl… Jerlina Aniko Fitzgerald…" he said and started to chuckle. "Your name is beautiful as you, Jeryl."

"Yeah…" Jerlina smiled. "You have a beautiful heart too…" 

With his pine scent acting as her lullaby, she fell asleep as her heart was filled with happiness. 

"Do you want to be Queen, Jeryl?" he asked.

He was too happy. If she wants to be queen, he can become the King for her. 

"Jeryl..?" he called but he only heard her rhythmic breathing. 

Sleep well, my love…