Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"You did nothing to her baby," Jeremy added.

Patrick raised his brows as even he who doesn't get offended easily got offended.

Missy did nothing? After what Emma did to her, Jeremy comes here to boast that Missy couldn't touch his sister?

He fisted his hands but held back because of his sense of propriety. Not to mention this is Missy's husband she loves dearly and he should be minding his manners with him.

Rebecca looked at Jeremy, stupefied. With his hunched shoulders, extended hand, reddened eyes, and trembling lips he looked very apologetic.

But the words out of his mouth caused hurt.

If she's in a similar situation as Missy and her husband spoke like this to her, she'd have left him and lived alone for the rest of her life. And that's why when she saw Jerlina climbing up the stairs with her hands fisted and head bowed, she understood her. 

When the first word out of Jeremy's mouth was "Emma", Jerlina felt a sharp pain in her heart. After what he did in the morning taking Emma's side and even now…

Wait, what? I did nothing to her baby? Is he mocking me? Is he telling me, 

'Look, Jerlina! You tried to get back at Emma. But I, Emma's dearest brother, protected her baby!'

Is he laughing at me? 

Jerlina didn't want to stand there anymore. She felt something breaking in her heart – the trust she had for him shattered in her heart, hurting her heart along with it. She felt cheated. She regretted ever trusting him.

Her eyes reddened and bowing her head she climbed up the stairs. 

He still is Emma's stupid brother speaking for…

Wait… He is stupid with his words, especially when it concerns me and when he is stressed.

Yeah… He is stupid and would say the wrong words even though he means well.

It's not like Jerlina wanted to degrade his intelligence and deprecate him. He is stupid when it comes to her and that is a proven fact. 

He was like that for years saying and doing things she doesn't appreciate and scaring her. And it's not like he'd get smarter in a short time. He probably never will smarten up.

That doesn't mean his heart isn't at the right place.

I know, I am his most important person.

She stopped. 

What did he exactly mean by those words?

He started speaking more and she listened.

"The doctors said that the baby is perfectly out of danger now and-"

Ah, stop talking about Emma and her baby!

"Shut up, stupid!" she shouted and in that small house, her voice echoed like thunder. 

Patrick shrugged and took his seat and Rebecca shrugged at her husband and walked to him. She wouldn't expect Missy to call her husband "Stupid" but…maybe he deserves it?

Whatever it is, interfering in a couple's fight is not good.

Since Missy is engaging with Jeremy herself, there is no need for them to interfere. 

Jeremy winced a bit hearing her roar. But then a smile formed on his lips.

She revealed herself!

"Jeryl! You are here!" he stepped forward with a big grin that reached his ears.

My wife is talking to me!

"Shush!" Jerlina shouted. 

His voice is a nuisance stopping her from thinking.

"Okay," Jeremy took a step back making the calm down gesture. He could see that she is standing on the stairs and it could be dangerous if she misses a step.

Jerlina kneaded her temples with her fingers. 

She did find something odd. She felt a sharp pain when he spoke Emma's name, but she felt a relief when he said that her pregnancy was saved. 

Yeah, she should have felt disappointment. She did want Emma to miscarry and lose her baby.

So why did I feel relief?

Was it for Emma?

No… It was for the baby!

Jerlina took in a deep breath. No matter what, the baby is innocent in her fight. Apart from having Emma as the mother, that baby did nothing wrong. Well, having Emma as a mother is not its fault; it's a curse.

Poor baby…

Jerlina's mind cleared a bit and she now understood the words Jeremy spoke in the morning.

'You don't mean it…'

She wanted to hurt Emma and make her suffer the same suffering as her. 

But the baby… That poor soul has his whole life ahead of him… And without thinking I was about to…

A shiver passed through her spine.

What was I about to do?

And Joel… He is not talking about Emma, is he? He is talking about Emma's baby. So, did he want to let me know that I didn't needlessly snuff out the light of a little being out of the hatred for his mother?

He is, isn't he?

Is that why he left with Emma immediately? Dr. Kruger refused to treat Emma and he didn't have time in his hands. So he left without explaining much.

Ah… Joel! I love him!

She turned and ran down the stairs. She almost hugged him seeing his silly grin. But she stopped herself from hugging him. 

Let him suffer a little longer! He couldn't even make his point. I have to do all the thinking and analyzing. Why did he even come here?

Ah… he looks tired. Did he even eat?

"Jeryl!" Jeremy's grin widened further seeing her getting down from the stairs. 

He knew his Jeryl would understand him. He explained it all perfectly to her and she is not an unreasonable person.

  Rebecca and Patrick looked at each other and Rebecca held back her giggle looking at Jeremy. They are one weird couple she could say. She thought Missy would get mad and throw him out by the words he said but it seems like she has calmed down a lot. Her eyes have gotten clearer and she looked like her soul has returned.

Anything is better as long as she is happy!

"Aunt Becky, do you have leftovers from dinner?" Jerlina asked Rebecca as she couldn't bear to see the tired look on her husband.

Jeremy felt like he was floating. He was too tired to eat but since his wife is serving him food out of love, he decided to eat. 

"Have you eaten?" Jeremy asked.

"Yeah, I am full," Jerlina rubbed her belly. 

She never was someone who shows her anger at food and she knows she needs to eat healthy for her pregnancy. And she could eat Aunt Becky's cooking a bit better. She probably cooked for her since she insinuated that she might be pregnant.

Jeremy was sulking in the corner of his heart although he is beyond happy. He was stupidly thinking that she is avoiding his food but it seems like it was all morning sickness. And the food Rebecca made tasted different with a little ginger and peppermint. He wondered if this helps with morning sickness.

After dinner, he shamelessly asked for the recipes and carefully noted them in his notes. He should be cooking for her after all. She doesn't like the usual food. 

Jerlina thought everything was good between them. And so when Jeremy told her aunt and uncle that he's going to leave, she got upstairs to get her phone.

But when she got down, she was astonished beyond words when her husband brought in her luggage. Patrick and Rebecca were equally confused.

"What are these?" she asked, taking in a deep breath.

"This bag have your clothes, this is your skincare products…Ah, here's your charger…" he went on and her ears felt stuffed.

What the f*ck is going on? 

I can learn what's in those bags if I open them. Why the h*ll isn't he telling me why he wants me to stay here?

"Why should I?" she mumbled but he seemed to be not hearing her and ran to the Porsche.

"Here," he gave her the car keys. "Have it with you."

That's not what I asked...

Is he not going to tell me? Should I think deeply about why he is doing this?

I am tired!

"You know what, Joel! I don't want to see your face ever again!" she shouted and ran up the stairs.

"Wha- Why?" Jeremy was confused. "Wait..." he ran behind her.

"Oh, dear," Patrick pressed his lips and Rebecca started to laugh.

"What a lively couple...."