Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"We congratulated her and that's enough," Jeremy said waving his hand at the group of stunned women. "They came here to celebrate and they didn't inform you. They didn't want to include you like family. Leave them be. Don't be a saint," he bent and kissed her right to the amazement of everyone around. 

"Lovely wife, just think about your true family! Don't care about others!" he pinched her cheek slightly.

Uh… I was the one thinking about my great-grandpa while you… Ugh! Whatever! 

"Yes, husband," Jerlina smiled widely. 

She's faced struggles all her life and every time she has faced them alone. She had people who comfort her through it and those who congratulated her after she succeeded and those who consoled her after she lost.

 But Joel- this man is the only one who wouldn't even care about anything and will stand by her side, facing it with her. It might be a simple thing or something life-threatening. It has always been him who was with her through everything.

He would join her and support her. She didn't care what he is doing now, but standing beside him gives her great joy and she will enjoy every moment of it for the rest of her life.

Ah, I love him!

"And listen," his tone turned a little preachy and Jerlina raised her eyebrows wondering what he is going to say next.

"Just because you got ninety-six million now, doesn't mean that-"

"Ugh, sorry... It's ninety-six BILLION, sir," Gordon interjected him.

"Ah, right!" Jeremy ran his fingers through his hair with an awkward smile. "Ninety-six BILLION! Just because you're a billionaire, doesn't mean you should waste your money on people who don't want you or respect you…"

Jeremy went on and Jerlina looked at Martha through her peripheral vision. Her mouth was wide open and her eyes looked like they'd fall out of the sockets. She turned to look at Emma too stunned to even blink her eyes. 

Is this what they call "killing without blood"? Well, my husband is smart!

"I will listen to your advice, husband," Jerlina said with her eyes fixed on him. Her eyes had a layer of water on them making her so adorable and her tone was so soft as if she was an obedient wife from the previous centuries. He knew she was acting and yet his abdomen tightened.

Ah, I want to kiss her!

Jeremy controlled himself. He can store all his desires for tonight. She would be filled with desire like him. 

"Now that you know my wife is rich and well-connected, don't think you can get near her. She has personal security and they can kill you without repercussions," Jeremy spoke in a warning tone.

"You," Martha gritted her teeth. 

Her son has been ranting how Jeremy stole his woman from him and she thought there was no reason for that. She didn't think that this one whom she thought was a nobody is related to Erling. And now she knows. And she should warn Jerlina about him and in the process can earn brownie points with the Erling family.

"You married her for her money, right?" Martha pointed her finger at Jeremy but her eyes ended up at Gordon.

Look at me! I am making a valid point.

Jerlina noticed her little mannerisms and realized what this woman is doing. Some months ago, she accused her of marrying the rich Jeremy for money. And now…

Does she think of nothing but money?

"Oh, yeah. So what?" Jerlina said and Jeremy turned to look at her. 

That was an obvious lie but she must have a reason for it. He pulled her closer to him. He started it with this woman partly because his stepmother is here and also because he wanted to tell this woman who previously tried to speak badly about his wife to him.

He wanted that woman to know that Jerlina does not need to suck up to anyone. She is loved for who she is and not what she has.

"You didn't tell our Gerard who you are but you told him?" Martha now was filled with bitterness. "You are a lying, hard-hearted woman, aren't you? You were with Gerard for years and you didn't-"

"Yeah, I didn't feel like it, but with Joel, I felt comfortable. So what?" she said fiddling with her fingernails.

She still had it in her heart the odd words Gerard spoke. Only if she makes it clear that Gerard has no chance with her again, will he back off from whatever he is thinking. And she wanted to show Emma that her brother is not someone who can be taken lightly. Even if he doesn't get offended by what his sister does, he has his wife to get offended in his place.

And I'm someone with power!

"You…" Martha couldn't speak one word. 

"And if you are going to feel sorry for me because you concluded that my husband married me for money… then… It's as ludicrous as..."

As ludicrous as thinking that Emma is in love with Gerard.

She wanted to say that aloud, but she didn't want to make Emma's life hell. By now Martha would be regretting having Emma as her daughter-in-law. She won't be happy with the Harrison family losing business and money. Jerlina didn't want to add fuel to the flame.

"Well, it is just ludicrous," Jerlina shrugged and looked at Jeremy. "I know for sure how much he loves me. He took a bullet for me," she held Jeremy's hand and he smiled. 

"I did and I will do a thousand more times for you."

Jerlina smiled. She knew he means every word and her heart started pounding. She wanted to kiss him hard. 

"Ah," she broke out of the trance. "You don't have to worry for me. We are not related in any way. You should be taking care of your pregnant daughter-in-law. That child would be your first grandchild, after all." 

Jerlina enunciated "first grandchild" for a reason. The baby she lost was never accepted by the Cooper family. Gerard didn't even know of its existence for a long time. That baby was hers alone. She might be petty but she still couldn't forgive Gerard for not stopping the car that day while he was in his getaway car. 

She couldn't get out of that hurt even if she tried.

The baby Emma is carrying will be the first grandchild of the Cooper family and the first child of Gerard and she is okay with that. 

It was odd. When Emma announced her pregnancy, she felt a little sad. When she thinks about it again, it was not because she thought of Gerard but it was of the pregnancy. That feeling probably was jealousy and not sadness. 

Yeah, I will get pregnant soon. I don't have to worry! I have the most amazing man by my side, supporting me. 

"Shall we?" Jerlina looked at Jeremy and he nodded. He could see that she is not sad as he anticipated she would be.

And everyone failed to notice the glint in Gordon's eyes.

He is here for a purpose!