Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina watched the jeep leave the clinic. Wiping the tears clouding her eyes she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. 

What did he mean by I don't mean what I say?

I meant every word!

What should I do? He doesn't want me anymore…

Rather than to her heart that was hurting like it was getting ground in a millstone, her hands subconsciously ended up on her abdomen. Her arms hurt and her abdomen felt tight.

No good… It's no good…

She bowed her head thinking of her next step.

"Jerlina…" she heard Dr. Kruger from behind her. Her voice was soft and was filled with concern. 

Jerlina didn't want to deal with anything right now. She was angry that Dr. Kruger hid that report from her for a long time. But then at least she threw away her ethics as a doctor and refused to help Emma. She shouldn't be feeling happy about that but she was happy Jeremy's mom clearly took her side in this issue.

"I'll talk to you later, mom," she said with her back to the doctor. 

She didn't want to reveal her pregnancy yet. Her heart is broken and she wanted to be alone. 

Dr. Kruger noticed Jerlina keeping her hand on her abdomen and her eyes filled with tears. She thought Jerlina is thinking about her baby. She wanted to hug her to comfort her. She has a lot to apologize for too.

But when she walked closer, Jerlina took a step forward. 

"I'll leave, mom," she turned and smiled.

The smile was forced and it squeezed out a drop of tear from the corner of her eyes. She tries to control the tears but she couldn't. Wiping the tear with her hand, she turned to leave.

"You have a place here always, dear," Dr. Kruger said. 

She heard what Jerlina shouted at Jeremy and it was wrong of him to ignore her and run away to help that murderer. He's always been a sensible boy and she never had to worry about him. But this time…

After Jerlina trusted him with no proof eventhough Emma tried to lead her on and confuse her, what he did could be very hurtful.

"I know, mom," Jerlina smiled and walked out. 

Dr. Kruger looked at Charlie. He was pressing his lips and with one foot to the front, he seemed to be contemplating whether to follow Jerlina.

"Charlie," Dr. Kruger cocked her head and pointed at Jerlina, gesturing him to follow her.

She knew Jerlina is not fine. Watching Jerlina's back, she had a feeling that she might not see her again. It scared her. 

She knew Jerlina is not going to open up to her as she would be mad at her, rightfully. Charlie, on the other hand, is trusted by her and she is closer to him. She might say something to him.

Charlie nodded and ran behind Jerlina. "You don't look fine, Squirrel. I'll drop you," he stopped her.

He watched everything. And he was mad at Jeremy. He wondered if Jeremy would have helped Emma if he knew the truth. But he was not even willing to listen to the truth and skipped to help that piece of shit. He couldn't understand why she said that she won't return home out of nowhere and how Jeremy couldn't stop even after he heard it.

Jeremy is wrong.

But Squirrel cannot leave him. Both of them won't be able to bear it.

Jerlina looked at Charlie with a sigh. She then took the car keys out of her pockets and Charlie's eyes brightened.

It is good Squirrel doesn't keep her word. That is her home. She should be returning there. Where else will she go? She loves it there!

Getting the keys, Charlie was about to get to the car, but Jerlina's voice stopped him. 

"I won't be needing this anymore, Charlie. Return it to him," she said, biting her lips. Her eyes looked tired and Charlie swallowed down his shock.

"You're going… where?" he asked. 

He was shocked. But he didn't want to stop her. In her tired eyes, he saw a little clarity and a lot of want for understanding. He didn't want to prod her more. 

Jerlina stared at him blankly. She didn't know where she is going to go. She does have an option. She can make one phone call and her great-grandfather would come find her and do whatever she asks for. 

"Don't help him find me, Charlie. Let him suffer," she said, and waving her hand she walked out.

Charlie watched Jerlina leave without blinking. The roads would be safe for her and he doesn't have to worry. And she would need some time off. She got a lot of information today. Jeremy could have stayed with her and comforted her. But he didn't.

Yes, she deserves some time alone to think it through.

"Call me if you need anything, Squirrel!" Charlie shouted. "Know that I am on your side!" 

Jerlina stopped and looked at Charlie. 

"I mean it," he added and Jerlina nodded with a smile.

My side?

What is my side actually?

Whatever that means…

-----

Jeremy rubbed his forehead as his car sped in the freeway. His mind was filled with various thoughts. Everything felt like déjà vu. He was thinking of Jerlina the other day when he rushed her to the clinic and he is thinking of Jerlina now too.

He didn't even turn to look at the woman sitting by his side as he was irked. His veins in his arms twisted as he tried to control his urge to kill that woman who shared DNA with him.

Emma was in terrible pain. It was worse than her period cramps and she could sense something is wrong. But her head hurt like someone is splitting it with a chisel and a hammer. And she felt a little giddy as she has lost some blood. 

But she cannot deny the happiness in the corner of her heart. 

This stupid lumberjack threw her away to help me. He cannot untangle the threads of gratefulness and love I carefully weaved around his heart… He is MY slave, forever!

Ah… the pain…

But it is worth it… It would make everyone sympathize with me. 

I pushed Daisy down the stairs and deleted all the phone contacts between us, but there is no way anyone knows that. She shouldn't have raised her voice at me and berated me as a murderer. 

Who is a murderer? 

That woman… that b*tchy doctor… she must have tried to get the truth from me and lied as if she saw it… Plus, she dropped the pills and why should I get it for her when she was threatening to expose me for causing Jerlina's miscarriage?

Confess? Why would I?

Don't I have the right to protect my future? Isn't that why I gave those pills to Jerlina that day? It's not like she is dead! So why do they even bother? Why am I getting treated like a criminal?

And that bitch Jerlina still pretending to be hurt by her miscarriage… She knows how to act, I should give her that. 

And if I miscarry, I will get enough compensation. Shouldn't she spare half of her "inheritance" for causing me emotional distress and for hurting my baby? 

Oh, yes!

But I need to use this opportunity to grab on to this stupid lumberjack.

"Jerry, will I die? It hurts so much… Jerlina… I didn't think that she'd be cruel-"

*Screech*

The car stopped and Emma's head banged at the window. Not noticing the expression of the man sitting at the driver's seat, Emma grunted.

  "What, Jerry? I-"

"Shut up!" Jeremy shouted at the top of his lungs. "Shut the f*ck up!" he banged the steering wheel. 

His chest was heaving in rage and his lips were not seen amidst his thick beard. But as if he remembered something, he picked up his phone.

Emma wondered who he is calling now. 

Is he trying to call Jerlina? I cannot let him do that!

"Ahh!" she clutched her stomach and curled up on the seat. "Jerry, I-"

"What the f*ck did I tell you?" Jeremy shouted and Emma shook in fear. She felt the tremors in the windows as he shouted.

"Do not say a word," he spoke gritting his teeth. "Do not even breathe loudly," he growled. "One word from you and I…" he pointed out at the woods. "I know where a pack of hungry coyotes are at. I'll gladly watch you getting eaten alive. So zip it!" he scoffed and turned to the front.

Emma held back her sob. And she didn't even dare to move. She was never shouted at like this before. She was scared.

"Yes," Jeremy answered the call. "There's been an incident surrounding my wife. We held back people from recording but I'm not sure if any videos are uploaded on the internet already… so-"

Emma tried to listen but she couldn't hear anything from the other end.

"She tried to kill Emma Cooper," Jeremy said.

"…"

"No, she's…I am elsewhere."

"…"

Jeremy looked at Emma and got out of the car. His eyes reddened and he slammed the door shut making Emma whimper.

"She can't go through guilt, Gordon!" Jeremy's voice shook as he ran his fingers through his hair. "She might think this is what she wants but… I know her… I know her… She'd suffer for the rest of her life out of guilt if…" he took a glance inside. Emma was still frozen.

"The baby… she won't forgive herself if Emma miscarries because of her. I won't let her feel that pain, Gordon. A week… Emma cannot miscarry for at least a week for my Jeryl to not blame herself. And I will make sure of that. I don't care if the baby gets sewn into her womb. That baby is not coming out for at least a week. It won't be my problem afterward."

"Do you..?" Gordon scoffed. "Do you really feel this way? So can we proceed as we planned for her?"

"Honestly, Gordon…I don't give a damn about Emma. Do what you wish. But after a week!" Jeremy ended the call and got inside the car. 

He knew how Jerlina was when she had a miscarriage. Emma's reactions are rather tepid. She must not be hurting that much. 

Emma… Emma… I hate you… That baby would be better dead than having a mother like you!

But my Jeryl deserves all the happiness in the world. If she wants you dead, she will get her wish.  I will get my hands dirty so that she doesn't have to.

I love her that much!