Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina sat by the balcony and took care of the rose planter. She made sure there is no dust on a single leaf of the rose and that the bush is healthy. 

Sitting on the swing, she watched the planter. It's been a while since she spent time staring at the rose planter.

"I love you, baby… I would always love you…" she muttered tracing her finger over a leaf. 

Her eyes clouded thinking of this baby that lost its chance to see the wonders of the world because of the ill-intent of an evil-minded woman who cares for nothing and no one, except for herself.

Why does she hate me to this extent?

Jerlina's thought wavered to that question that possibly doesn't have a valid answer. 

What would make an evil person do evil things if not for just their amusement or just for the sake of passing time? Or for someone like Emma, what would have angered her?

Jerlina shook her head to rid of the thoughts about Emma. But then she started thinking about Emma again.

Gordon said that Gerard is moved to some other place. She wondered if they'd shifted him to another state or another country altogether. And that would have angered Emma. 

Or would it have?

After what Gerard did to Emma, she wouldn't be so forgiving of Gerard. In a way, Gerard would be safe away from the reach of Emma too. 

Jerlina let out a sigh of relief. At a distance, she saw Earl's pups taking a walk with their mother. Her lips curved to a smile. They've already sent out a puppy that resembled Everest to Benny, the son of Wyatt. Wyatt thanked her for some reason and she accepted his thanks on behalf of her great grandfather.

Her hands ended up on her abdomen. 

She's decided to keep a couple of pups for her baby. It would be good for her baby to have a puppy around when he grows up.

Her smile reduced a bit. 

Everything has been hectic these days and a lot of things are happening. They didn't even have time to discuss her pregnancy. She still doesn't know his exact thoughts on her pregnancy although she knew without a doubt that he is over the moon. 

Still… it won't be bad to hear from him…

Yeah… Maybe tonight…

Her face brightened up with a smile. She felt like everything is settled finally. 

Well, Emma is left…

Emma would always be a thorn in her side, but she decided to ignore her. She knows what hatred does to her and she wanted to be filled with good thoughts so that her baby would grow up fine. 

She walked towards the planter. 

"I'll give you a proper burial soon…" 

Placing a kiss on the rose, she walked back inside. Deciding to cook lunch, she got down the stairs. But seeing the chef cooking inside, she walked out. She saw Gordon's men blocking the one who brings in the supplies and walked there.

Gordon's men weren't rude but she could see that the guy was offended as he was checked like he is some sort of a criminal. Even the supplies he brought in were checked thoroughly. 

Before she could say anything, Gordon answered her.

"Milady, one cannot be too careful," he said and Jerlina lost any words to say to him.

That day, she was not careful enough and ate the chicken salad offered by Emma. And her carelessness was the reason she lost her baby, She wouldn't make the same mistake as before. Especially now that Emma would be a hurt predator with nothing going her way.

Emma has no way to know about her pregnancy yet but still, she has to be careful. For Emma, it doesn't matter if she is pregnant or not. She would try and hurt her nonetheless.

She didn't care about offending others as long as her baby is safe.

She was about to get back inside and at that time, she heard a ruckus by the door. There was the shout of a familiar voice and Jerlina walked to the front porch to have a look.

"Hear me out!" 

It was Jeremiah Harrison and Jerlina wondered why Jeremy's father is here.

"He's here with the media in tow. Emma is hiding behind him in the car," Gordon whispered in Jerlina's ears and She widened her eyes.

How did he now all this? Was he watching them?

Jerlina knew if they have planned this much, they must be here for something. She knew with the media here, it would become an issue if she ignored them.

Why does this tactic seem similar?

She remembered back then when she was arrested, there was a media presence too. She went with the cops to not make a blunder and ended up risking her life and Jeremy's life ended up on the line. 

"I can pretend that I am not here, right?" Jerlina looked at Gordon and he nodded with a smile.

"Good decision, Milady. I'll ask no one to engage with them and I don't think they will have the patience to wait for more than an hour."

Jerlina shrugged and walked inside. She could see that the camera is rolling and she didn't care.

"And Gordon…" she stopped suddenly remembering something. "Dr. Kruger… Send someone to-"

"The doctor was sent to somewhere safe, Milady," Gordon bowed and Jerlina knitted her brows. 

"She's staying with Patrick Davies for the time being and his house is protected," Gordon said and Jerlina let out a deep breath. 

"So where is…"

Jerlina almost asked him where Gerard is sent to. She had a little doubt that Gordon might be lying because he is not telling her where Gerard is. 

But then she didn't care to know. So she decided not to ask forever.

"Did you find out where Harold Harrison is?" she asked. "And why did he abscond?"

Jeremiah hid his son immediately after learning that she was safe. And she always doubted that Harold had a hand in the attempt on her life. If that was the case, Gordon would already know about it. 

"Seems like Jeremiah is the one who believes in the power of the media very much. I'll show him that media is nothing in front of money… Even they do it all for TRP and in turn… for money!" Gordon grinned.

Although he didn't say it aloud, Jerlina got that Harold Harrison had a hand in the media presence during the previous attempt on her life.

No wonder he was hidden. But was he hidden..?

"Give my son back, please… I plead with you…Please talk to my son to let go of his brother…"

The exaggerated voice of Jeremiah Harrison made Jerlina roll her eyes.

What a family of actors!

She called Jeremy and he asked her to ignore it and she agreed with him. She turned up the volume of music in the house and went on about doing her work, not minding the shouts at the gate.

Emma, hiding in the car, received a message and her lips curved up.