Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina was following the news quietly. Jeremy has already informed her that today would be the day he will be taken and asked her not to panic. She avoided stepping out of the house as reporters were swarming like ants around their house.

The announcements weren't made yet, and Jerlina's lips curved to a smile seeing Mikhail's post.

[I came across this video. I ask the authorities to check the authenticity of this video. With videos like this around, the authorities should investigate deeply before accusing someone. I respect authorities for the work they do, rushing towards danger when no one else would protect and serve. I, myself, have first-hand experiences where I was saved by the authorities. But at times, some mistakes happen and innocents get punished. We are all humans and we all make mistakes, but if some mistakes would cost the life and livelihood of another, it is not presumptuous to be skeptical. I hope this issue with my friend gets resolved and the truth gets revealed.]

He then attacked a link that took to a popular video-sharing platform. 

Jerlina expected a very neutral statement from Mikhail, but she was surprised and grateful for the blatant support Mikhail expressed to the world. After this thing started, they got many phone calls offering help, but they all preferred to be anonymous. Jerlina couldn't blame them either for their decision to play it safe. They don't know the truth and they can not be seen to openly support a murderer.

Mikhail knew Emma and still, to put him in the front, going all out to support Jeremy…  Mikhail is a true friend.

Jerlina followed the link and each time she refreshed she saw the views increasing in the hundreds. The video that didn't even have a hundred views now was almost close to 3k views and rising.

Mikhail is someone with star power!

The video was drone footage that had recorded the video and voice of the two people involved. The woman's voice was filled with aloofness and hatred, while the man seemed to have been controlling his temper although he had every reason to be angry with everything that was spoken. 

Jerlina was seeing the video for the first time although she was told about the existence of the video. A teenager who happened to fly a drone around that area at that time when the confrontation between Jeremy and Emma was taken, had uploaded it on the internet. The video had not many views till then and their lawyers have asked for a copy of the video from the uploader to have as evidence.

Jerlina listened to it wearing her headphones and even the whispers of Emma were recorded clearly. She was not that affected. But she was moved by Jeremy's insistence on finding out why Emma did what she did. It touched her heart to see how much he cares for her. And she was touched that Jeremy has already submitted the evidence of Emma's murders to the feds.

There was the scuffle, and Jerlina held her chest fearing if that was what caused Emma to fall. But that was not it. It made her blood boil seeing Emma mocking his instinct to reach out for her. 

Jerlina appreciated Jeremy's patience. If she was there, she would have pushed Emma down after she laughed like that. 

After that, Jeremy walked in and Emma was left alone on the balcony. The shouts from down the streets reached up. People were shouting at her to not jump and some even called the emergency number. She saw Emma leaning a lot closer to the ledge and that made the shouts from the concerned people intensify.

And then Emma walked away from the ledge. In the video, Jerlina saw the smirk on Emma's face. It was as if she was reveling in the attention she is getting by everyone's concern for her. She forgot about the worry in her face about her impending doom once the feds start to investigate her crimes. 

It was then a couple of bumblebees circled around her and she was seen to be swatting away the bees and swayed back to the ledge. 

It was then the screams from the streets intensified and one voice was pleading with Jeremy to not hurt Emma. 

"Emma, get out of there!" Jeremiah shouted. 

Although it was drone footage, the camera was very good and the voice recordings were very crisp. The drone changed position to have full coverage of Emma's face and they could see the change in expressions in Emma's face in a couple of seconds. 

After that Emma crossed her hands over her chest and shouted "Jerry" and fell backward from the ledge. Jerlina paused the video.  Her hands started to shake.

Emma tried to frame Joel! She planned it… She called his name and then jumped to give an impression that Joel pushed her! And her face… she was pleased by her decision and she wasn't even afraid to die!

What made Jerlina surprised was that Emma seemed to be ending her life not because her deeds would be exposed, but to frame Joel. Her father's words acted as a trigger and probably gave her an idea and she executed her idea with no hesitation.

What a… psycho! No wonder our lawyers were in good mood after watching this video. The case against Joel will get dismissed as they promised.

Jerlina's heart was filled with hope. 

It is great there is this drone footage… Otherwise… And the title of the video uploaded – Psychos do commit suicide, suits very aptly.

She turned to the TV as they announced the arrest of Jeremy. She knew that Jeremy won't be imprisoned as Gordon promised, but after the recent attack from his enemies, she feared if this situation with crowds following him everywhere would be taken advantage of. 

Little did she know that her influential great-grandfather is planning something very sinister against the dictator who is targeting Jeremy for ages. 

She watched as Jeremy was taken inside the precinct with his hands cuffed. There were hundreds of cameras trained on him and the reporters heartlessly asked him if he killed Emma and if he wanted her dead and other hurtful questions.  Her eyes watered. Jeremy does not deserve this.

Emma… all I hope is that you died a very painful death and that you are in hell!

Jeremy was taken in and the lawyers refused to allow Jeremy to take his mug shots and urged the cops to dismiss the charges as they have charged Jeremy wrongfully. The new drone footage was taken into evidence and the cops were shocked to learn that the video is going viral. But still, they refused to dismiss the charges.

A hashtag 'IstandwithTJ' and 'TJisavictim' started to trend within an hour on social media and those who were acquaintances who kept their silence till then, started to speak out. Not to mention, people from Peyton and Wolford, were chanting their support outside of the precinct. 

As Jerlina was glad, she got a call from Bobby and she was shocked.

Where did Scarlett go?