Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"What are you doing here?" Emma asked. This time, she didn't even pretend to smile.

Gerard's mother and Emma's mother were with them and Jerlina didn't want to engage with them. Gordon stood silently behind Jerlina and his bodyguards were keeping their distance.

"Nothing," Jerlina shrugged and turned. 

She received a phone notification and Jerlina checked to see it was Jeremy. He said his work is finished and asked her where she was because he wanted to join her. 

Jerlina sent him the location of the store she is in and asked him to come here as she decided to buy a gift for her great-grandfather and she needed his help.

[Look at you! You become a billionaire and you're buying your first gift for your great-grandfather and not me!]

He sent a rather long text. Jerlina didn't expect him to think that way. She didn't think that way probably because she has already commissioned a gift for him.

As she was wondering what she should type back, she received another text.

[jk]

And that was followed by a tongue sticking out sticker.

Jerlina's lips curved up. Of course, her husband is going to ask for compensation… on the bed. 

[I'm waning while waiting for you *heart*]

She sent the text and he replied with a *hurrying up* sticker, followed by a kiss emoji.

"I am talking to you!" she heard a harsh voice from behind her and turned to see Gerard's mother shouting at her.

"Why?" Jerlina knitted her brows. 

On the other hand, Jerlina could see Emma was glaring at her. 

Why? Eh, whatever!

"Are you following Emma here?" Martha asked. Emma's mother was standing by the side holding Emma by her shoulders as if she was a frail being who would snap into two if she did not hold her straight. 

"Not this again," Jerlina didn't want to engage with her.

"How did you find out that we are buying a gift for Emma to congratulate Emma on her pregnancy?" Martha asked.

That's right! My daughter-in-law is pregnant! Know this b*tch! You couldn't even carry my grandchild to term and you aren't pregnant yet, but my daughter-in-law got pregnant this soon! Take this!

Jerlina didn't think she'd hear this news right now. She would be lying if she said that she was unaffected by it.

So, Emma is pregnant? She said they were trying just three weeks ago and she is pregnant already? That's super fast!

"Well, congratulations," Jerlina said without showing her displeasure in her face. And then she shrugged. "So, is this why you stopped me when I didn't even see you and was going on about on my business?" she asked Martha and then looked at Emma.

"Why isn't your husband with you?"

Jerlina chuckled in her heart as Emma started to grit her teeth. She still couldn't forgive Emma for the stress she put her through when she was pregnant. Those words Emma said… They still hurt her.

Emma's mother took a step forward and blocked Emma from her view. 

Seriously? Does she think that I would hurt Emma?

"Whatever! I don't have time for you," Jerlina looked at Gordon. "Shall we, Gordon? Tell me what-"

She decided to leave. Who knows? That psycho Emma would fall down by herself and then would blame her for her miscarriage.

Well, I do hope she carries the baby to term. I won't wish miscarriage on even the worst of my enemy; not even on Emma. 

It chops away a part of your soul!

"Gordon? That's Gordon Faraday?" Martha asked and Jerlina let out a sigh.

She knew Gerard's parents live their life depending on the connections they make and it is not odd for them to know the very prominent assistant of a very prominent businessman. 

"Who are they, Milady?" Gordon bowed with his hand on his chest and Jerlina knew Gordon is planning something.

If Gerard's parents knew Gordon, Gordon knows everyone around her and their genetics and their records even they don't know about themselves. If she wants an introduction, he should be planning something.

And are those people with cameras in their hands? Are they paparazzi? Don't tell me! Gordon insisted that we meet here because he arranged for paps to photograph us? He's planning on telling everyone that I am related to Jonathan Erling, isn't he?

Well, if I publicize the Hamilton name, this fact would come out along with it, any way. I do not need to get mad. All I have to do is leave here without creating a scene.

"Yes, this is Emma," she said pointing at her. "She is Joel's half-sister. This is Joel's stepmother…Mrs. Harrison. I forgot her name," she mumbled. 

She didn't mean to slight her. She truly forgot Emma's mother's name. She only met her once or twice anyway.

"And this is Martha Cooper, Emma's mother-in-law."

"Everyone, this is Mr. Gordon Faraday. My-"

"Your new sugar daddy?" Emma interjected her and Jerlina clenched her fists.

She really wants to make me lose my mind and hit her, doesn't she?

"No, Ms. Cooper," Gordon interjected her. "What milady was going to say was… I am her great-grandfather's assistant. Isn't that the case, Milady?" he looked at Jerlina.

"Yes, Gordon. And let's not talk to them anymore. They are very vulgar people," Jerlina turned to leave.

So he just wanted to tell them that I am Jonathan's great-granddaughter! He could have waited for them to find out through papers.

Well, whatever!  Cat's out of the bag.

Martha stood there frozen. It took her some time to register what was told.

Gordon is Jonathan Erling's assistant. And that means that Jonathan Erling is the great-grandfather of this nobody?

"What do they mean? Who is he?" Emma's mother asked Martha.

"He is Jonathan Erling's assistant. But I don't understand how… Did he quit his job and currently working for someone else..?" Martha mumbled. 

"Jonathan Erling? Who's that?" Emma asked her mother and she shrugged. 

"You don't know who he is?" Martha got irritated. "He is the fourth richest man on the planet and has billions to his name."

"What?" Emma's heart skipped a beat.

That can't be true! That can't be true!

How can that b*tch be a billionaire's great-granddaughter? 

"Hey! Are you really a billionaire's relative? Or is he a fraud? You're here just to make us believe that you found more money than me, right?"

Emma shouted. 

"Just ignore her," Jerlina told Gordon who was about to turn. "She's a nobody!"

Before she finished, she heard the sound of heels behind her, running towards her.