Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Gerard... It might be hard to fathom, but the timing she says this... Are you sure she is not lying? And is that even your child..." 

Seeing his glare, she gulped. "So it is your child? How did this- Did you keep on meeting her after-"

"We lost our baby, mom," Gerard began to shake leaning in her shoulder and she sighed in relief.

Thank God it got solved by itself!

She was relieved but her son's pain hurt her.

"The day of my wedding she had a miscarriage. And that b*tch Emma hid it from me although she knew. While she was suffering I had to put up with that Emma b!tch! Mom, I can't continue this farce anymore... I want my Jer. I am going to divorce-"

"No, no!" Before he finished, his mother closed his mouth. "Don't say that word. And what do you mean 'our baby'? I don't think there ever was a baby. She is playing to get you back... Women like her..."

She decided to play the "She lied about her miscarriage" card but was interjected by Gerard's painful chuckle.

"Hahaha... Very well, mom!" Gerard slow clapped. "I now know who you are. You are lower than a snake's belly. Don't you dare say one wrong word about her! I'll end you!" He pushed her aside and stormed out of the house.

He stood by the road not knowing where to go. He felt like he had lost everything. He wanted to meet Jerlina to talk to her, but he knew he cannot get back to that town anymore.

At least I got to hit that face! That is the one good thing that came out of it.

That other woman said that they cared for Jerlina, but it was that bastard who lied about her miscarriage and forced him to leave with his sister.

Would he have left her alone if he knew? Isn't that why he lied?

He called Gina and she said that Jerlina didn't even tell her that she had a miscarriage but started to blame Gina and her mom for spending her money. Gina told him that Jerlina has changed a lot and she thought it was because Jerlina was seeking attention. And since TJ gives it to her she is acting arrogant.

Is that the case? I ignored her and she sought refuge with him? But TJ is a thug! Is this one of Emma's plans to keep me with her?

I can't leave Jerlina with him. I have to find a way to meet Jerlina.

Ah, right... The wedding... I can find a way.

-----

Days passed and Jerlina found herself a little more confident and happier. The frequency of which she looked back at the past had reduced and so did the times she cried.

At home, Jeremy would converse with her about mundane things, and at the office, she got a lot of friends.

Her company's work has been going on without a hitch.

They'd talk about Jeremy most of the time at lunch and she didn't mind listening to stories about him.

Jerlina noticed that Peyton has changed a lot from the time she lived here. It had become a bit calmer.

She asked about it and everyone had a lot to say. They all said Jeremy started a gang and expanded the turf of his gang, chasing the other violent gangs out of Peyton. 

Also since the kids with no elder male role models in their life ended up in gangs, he started to find vulnerable adolescent boys and taught them how to be productive in society by letting them joining his gang. They were given education in the community college to teach them the essential skills to survive in this world and make an honest living.

And they were all proud to say that even going on fights Jeremy and his closest men won't use the younger boys like the other gang lords. They will do the fighting themselves.

And they also talked about the agreement TJ made with a lot of powerful people in the city and other areas. Usually, people from Peyton won't get good job opportunities because of the misconception that everyone from there is affiliated with one gang or another. 

Even Jerlina knew that.

So to help the youths to get out of here, he had let it known that anyone with the wolf tattoo is not dangerous to society and they have his personal guarantee that they are perfect to be employed.

Jerlina was surprised to know this detail. She wanted to know more about it but even Scarlett didn't know what kind of deal he made with others for them to recruit people with wolf tattoos.

And so naturally a lot of youths tried to join TJ's gang than the other gangs since anyone would want to make a decent living rather than being a dreg of the society and end up in a miserable way.

They listed a lot of community programs funded by TJ personally for youths, women, and men who need help.

Jerlina knew about the clinic but didn't know about the others like computer centers, libraries, workshops, driving schools, and others. Not to mention those who don't want to leave always had jobs in his company.

She will not lie. She was very impressed by him.

She's heard that a lot of rich people will hoard money in tax haven places and start foundations just to get around paying taxes, but people like TJ who genuinely care for the community and spend money from their pocket to improve their hometowns are really rare.

What a great hero! No... Not a hero, but more of a general. No a general answers to his king. TJ answers to no one.

TJ is the king!

He goes to war, expands his territory, and makes sure those in his territory are prospering. He has the support and admiration if his people.

In a way, he is better than a king since he doesn't collect taxes and spends his own money.

No wonder people here are this loyal to him! He deserves their loyalty!

He is a wolf, alright... Like the wolf in Jungle Book who protects his pack and even those who are others who need help.

TJ's image in her heart went up to the sky.

Jeremy not knowing that his employees are doing him a very big favor without his knowledge was sulking.

Hiding behind the window, he watched that little woman conversing with the other employees merrily. Her eyes got wide and she was very impressed.

He wanted to have lunch with her in his office, but that woman ran away.

What does she talk about anyway? She looks amused and very deeply involved. Who is she admiring this much? Is it hard for her to eat lunch with me just for a day? 

Stingy woman!

I have to talk about the wedding - our wedding. There is only a week left. I've arranged almost everything and she didn't even get her wedding dress.

How should I bring it up? Will her mood get spoilt?