Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina knew the thugs won't touch her after she mentioned TJ's name. They may hold her to make sure she is not lying, but she knew she'll be safe.

"TJ? Look at this liar saying she's TJ's woman," the guy held her arm tightly and dragged her to the front while the others sniggered.

Jerlina winced as she thought her arm might break by the force he held her. The other guys grabbed Gina who tried to escape in the commotion.

Jerlina let out a deep breath thinking of her fate. She chided herself for running her mouth when she knows that these days nothing goes her way.

But she still didn't want to give up and struggled to get out of his hold. She staggered as she was dragged.

"Hands off my woman, vermin!"

A strong arm enveloped her waist as that familiar grating voice was heard from above her head, making her heart skip a beat. The guy who was holding her screamed in pain and she heard a cracking noise. Her arm got freed as the big hand crushed the wrist of the guy.

TJ?

Still holding her, Jeremy pushed the screaming guy down. The next moment, his booted foot stomped on his forearm, snapping it to two. Jerlina felt butterflies in her stomach seeing the guy fainting on the curb with his arm twisted to an odd angle.

"Who else is doubting if she is my woman?" Jeremy roared making the guys back off. His voice held the authority of a mighty King, bringing fear in the hearts of his enemies.

Jerlina felt her insides melting with fear. This is the first time she heard many bones breaking and witnessed a fight this close.

She knew Jeremy is capable of this. She has seen him breaking a guy's skull. And this was not at all surprising. But watching it from just inches away... she felt sick in her stomach.

Sick and terrified.

"Where is your boss?"

She heard another voice and it was the guy who lives in the guest house. Behind him were five burly guys all wearing flannel and jeans as if that were their uniform. They all had folded their sleeves revealing the howling wolf tattoo in their forearms.

"Chainsaw Charlie?"

The gang of guys retreated and started running while the guys with Charlie chased them.

"Take her home, Jeremy. I'll handle it here," Charlie said and Jeremy nodded.

"Let's go," Jeremy rubbed her back and only then Jerlina realized she was in his embrace the whole time. His big hand was warm and she felt relaxed.

She looked at the guy on the ground passed out with his head bleeding. With just one hand TJ had almost killed him. Or is he dead already?

"Linny! That was some lie you came up with! Jerry... You were generous to go along with her lie! Wow! I've never seen such a strong..." Gina got closer to Jeremy and tried to hold his arm, but he moved and hugged Jerlina from the back.

"What lie? I am Jerlina's husband," Jeremy dodged Gina's claws trying to hold him.

Jerlina saw Gina's face going green with envy as her entire body froze. Well, it didn't turn green literally, but it sure changed color and her jaws went wide open. After that, she blinked her eyes hard and forced a smile as if she found the silver lining.

"Whoa...Linny... Congrats... Why didn't you tell me you got married? Tell me how it all happened... Mom will be so happy for you. You should visit our home with your husband for dinner," Gina came in front of Jerlina with the corners of her lips twitching because of the forced smile. Jerlina knew what that smile means.

Since she knows she is related to TJ, she will try to milk it as much as she can. And I cannot let her do that. Gina and her mother are liabilities. If they get money or other favors from TJ, he will hold it against me. I cannot let that happen if I have to escape him.

"Don't keep on saying we are related; we are not. At least not after MY father died and I buried him. Make sure your mother gets it and tell her to stop begging me for money," Jerlina shrugged Gina's hand. "Also stop using my father's surname. Use yours."

Jerlina said and she could hear Gina gritting her teeth. She might have been seen as petty saying this to her step-sister, but she wanted a clear break from those two women. She knew after saying this, their relationship can never be mended. So she said it on purpose.

Jerlina knew Gina always had the complex that she didn't know her 'real' dad and that's why she tried to say Jerlina's father's name every chance she gets. It is for that same reason, Gina hogged and smothered Jerlina's father with her "love", to make sure he has no time for his own daughter.

Jerlina understood it all and she kept silent for years. But she didn't want to anymore.

"How could you..." Gina raised her hand to slap Jerlina and before Jerlina stopped her, Jeremy kicked hard on Gina's knees making her fall on the ground.

"TJ?" Gina lifted her head and looked at him pitifully. Jerlina turned to see Jeremy, but she couldn't catch his expression because he was standing so close to her.

She saw the fear in Gina's eyes and could imagine TJ's face. She wondered how Gina had angered TJ.

Jeremy was smirking and his eyes were glaring at Gina. If he did what he wanted to, Gina will be dead for everything she has done to Jerlina.

He didn't think of Gina as dangerous until that day. As usual, he was guarding (stalking) Jerlina on her way back from school. She rode her bike fastly and since he was worried, he matched her speed in his bike.

As they were close to her workplace, Gina came out of nowhere. Jerlina didn't notice her but he did. After waving to him with a weird smile, she stuck a rod in Jerlina's wheel as she was riding.

His heart broke when he saw Jerlina getting thrown from her bike and thankfully she landed on a bush, rather than the hard asphalt. There were scratches all over her and her knees were bleeding.

He tried to help her up, but she got scared as usual and ran away from him, leaving her bike. He later fixed her bike and returned it to her.

He was so angry at Gina for hurting Jerlina. When he caught her, she smiled at him in a way no elementary school student should smile at an adult. He was creeped out. She then said that she tried to help him 'catch' her sister.

As if I was trying to catch her!

He knew she was lying and had an intuition that she wanted to hurt her sister. Like most, he was under the impression that Gina was Jerlina's half-sister. But he investigated and found out that they are not related by blood. He never had a good opinion about Gina since some incidents made him believe Gina wanted Jerlina to get hurt, and he only let her be because Jerlina seemed to care for her.

But now, after Jerlina made it clear that she wants to cut her off, he'd support her.

"Charlie...bring her with you," he shouted at Charlie and he ran back and dragged Gina not caring for her screeches and struggles. Along with the guys they captured, they went away to have a talk with their boss.

"Are you okay?" Jeremy looked at Jerlina, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Jerlina looked at him and she was very confused. She thought he'd be angry, but why does he look so happy like he achieved something?