Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"You haven't left the town, aren't you?" Scarlett said.

She had a feeling that Jerlina wouldn't leave the town even though she can. She's too much in love with Jeremy to leave without putting up a fight.

"You're probably in your uncle's house or his son's house. I'd bet you are in Nick's house. Isn't his house near the clinic? I heard you left your car?" Scarlett continued as there was only silence from the other end.

Jerlina chuckled lightly realizing how simple she is that Scarlett figured her out so easily. She was about to call Gordon, but something stopped her. 

She remembered the pain in her heart when she contemplated leaving the town. The thought that she won't be near Jeremy did something in her heart. She didn't want to leave.

At least not like this. She didn't want to let Emma win by leaving Jeremy. And Joel… he would be more disturbed if she is living in the same town and not with him. He'd be humiliated and when everyone asks him why his wife is separated from him, he can be embarrassed and…

Well, she wanted him to search for her. That is the true reason, for now. 

And the baby…

Joel would be the best father ever…

But he didn't even want to hear it from me and went to help that psychopath sister of his.

Fool! I won't ever talk to you again. I won't return even if you beg!

But…

What if he doesn't search for me..?

"Am I right?"

Scarlett's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah," Jerlina told the truth to Scarlett. "I'm at Uncle Pat's house. I went to Nick's but they are remodeling their kitchen and doing paintwork. I figured the fumes won't be good for the baby and so Nick brought me here… But don't tell anyone," she didn't forget to add.

And so she is enjoying the royal treatment here.

Scarlett giggled. She hasn't settled the fact that Jerlina is pregnant. There is no way Jerlina will keep her baby from its father. They won't separate and it gave her relief. 

But she had a feeling that Jeremy won't know about it anytime now. It's not wrong to do that after what Jeremy did. She wanted to tell Jerlina to keep her pregnancy a secret for now. Bobby's not accepting and she didn't want Bobby to learn from others.

"That's true… So about the baby-"

"What baby?" Bobby's voice made Scarlett jump. 

"Geez! Stop scaring me like that, Bobby!" she patted her chest. "Jerlina's pregnant."

"Huh," Bobby scoffed. "The timing…" he got the phone from Scarlett's hand.

"It's not confirmed yet!" Jerlina said. She didn't want the news to spread without even confirming.

"Yeah?" Bobby's voice was heard from the other end. "Don't tell that b*stard. Take the child and leave. He would sacrifice his firstborn on the altar of that demon Emma if she wishes for it. Just-"

"Bobby!" Scarlett stopped Bobby from speaking further and got the phone. "Even before congratulating, that's the thought that pops into your mind?"

"Didn't you hear? His sister killed my mom, Kitty! Why would I-"

  "I'll talk to you later, Jerlina," Scarlett said and ended the call. 

"Really, Bobby? I know you're hurt but she is hurt too. Just think before you speak," Scarlett glared at Bobby.

Bobby scoffed but he understood his wife's point. Everything started with Emma killing Jerlina's baby. She would be hurt already and she should be allowed to compose herself.

With a sigh, Jerlina placed her phone down.

Will he? Will Joel care more for his sister than his bloodline? Should I have to protect my child from its father?

Jerlina sank into her thoughts. She checked the time and reminded Charlie to feed the dogs. She bought treats for Earl and toys for his pups without Joel's knowledge. After telling Charlie to give it to the dogs, she lied with her eyes closed. 

Expecting Jeremy's call, she wanted to be awake but without knowing, she fell asleep.

-----

Jeremy looked at the time. It was already seven in the evening. He made sure Emma gets the best care and the doctors just now assured him that the baby is fine. Emma had concussions and she was asked to rest for a week before she could return home.

Gerard went on some business trip and it was Jeremy who signed as a family member for Emma to get treatment. But his mother came here the moment she got news of Emma's "sickness". She figured it out after hearing from the doctors about the scope of Emma's injuries.

Her first instinct was to shout and blame but she held back somehow. She still remembers that Jerlina cannot be touched with Jonathan Erling behind her. She will have to accept what happened to Emma- the daughter-in-law she was so willing to accept. 

  He glared at Gerard's mother who was sitting there mumbling something inaudibly. He wondered what she will do to Emma if he says that Emma was the one who killed Jerlina's baby.

Wouldn't she be distraught that the perfect chance for her to get the Erling connection was ruined by Emma? And in her distress, what will she do?

And what will Gerard do to Emma when he learns the truth? He made a mother out of the woman who killed his first child out of the woman he loved.

His fingers tingled to dial Gerard to tell him the truth. But he composed himself to wait for at least three days. 

Yes… revenge is a dish better served cold.

Making sure the place is guarded with his people to keep Emma from doing something malevolent again, he left home. He dialed Jerlina but her phone was switched off. His heart hurt as he wondered if Jerlina would be there to welcome him. 

It's nothing…  She must have forgotten to charge her phone. She will be there. She will be.

If not for me she'd be there for Earl. She loves that dog.

There were a lot of times he'd reach home first and start preparing dinner. But today is different and he felt it in his soul. He needs to leave his car for a wash as it was covered with Emma's blood. But he wanted to go home first.

The house looked normal from the distance. The lights were on, the dogs were out, and it looked warm. Not bothering to park his jeep inside the garage, he walked towards the door.   

As he reached the porch, he felt a chill through his spine. He didn't know why but it did. His clothes were dirty and it reminded him of that day he carried Jerlina to the hospital. 

Please be here, Luna… Please prepare a warm bath for me to help me get rid of this filth on me and a warm meal… Please…

He opened the door and the house was silent except for the dogs that ran to him. he walked to the kitchen but it was empty and cold.

"Duke, where is she?" he asked and the dog whined and lied down by his feet. Earl ran out. 

Jeremy felt his heart slipping to the pit of his stomach and he ran inside the house to check if she is somewhere else in the house. 

Meanwhile, in Bobby's house, Scarlett was hugging him around his waist to stop him from leaving the house with his shotgun in his hand.

"That's Jerry you're about to murder, Bobby! Think this through! He is our Cia's godfather and what will you tell her when she grows up and asks-"

"Shut up!" Bobby pushed her out of the way. Scarlett stumbled and fell on the couch. Her abdomen hurt and she winced in pain.

"Just stop, Bobby!" Scarlett couldn't even get up but she pleaded. Bobby stopped and looked at her for a second before dashing out of the door.

"If I don't kill him first, I am not a man!"

Scarlett took in a deep breath and ran behind him. "Charlie! Jimmy! Stop Bobby!" she cried for help as she ran as fast as she can holding her abdomen.

Bobby was huffing in anger as he saw the bloodied jeep in the front. 

Is he going to keep it as a souvenir? 

He checked around the house but he couldn't find out where Jeremy was. 

"Come on out, coward! Face me like a man! How long did you know that your sister murdered my mother and kept it from me? Come on out little b*tch!"

He shouted provocatively and searched for him. Not finding Jeremy in the house he walked out to the shed as he could discern a dark figure lurking in the shadows.

He walked closer and he could see it was Jeremy. He turned on the outdoor light. Jeremy was sitting on the ground, leaning on the wooden shed with his forearms resting on his knees and heads bowed.  He pointed the shotgun at Jeremy's face.

Thinking that Jeremy is hiding, Bobby's rage doubled.

"Look at me, Jerry!" Bobby shouted in rage. He gingerly poked the muzzle at Jeremy's chin full well realizing that any moment Jeremy will reach for his handgun.

It's in his blood to fight back!

Jeremy slowly looked up. Looking at the shotgun, he let out a sigh all the while not even reaching for his handgun.

"She's gone, Bobby…" Jeremy's eyes reddened. "My Luna left me…"