Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina held the little box that was made in a fine black walnut wood with beautiful carvings with both of her hands. She's been holding the box for more than an hour and still her tears didn't stop.

She didn't think the clinic would provide free caskets for miscarried babies. She greatly appreciated this help. And also, the box is very well-made and looked really expensive. She is not someone creative, but she can appreciate art. Seeing how cute and exquisite the carvings on the box are, she inferred that the artist who carved that must have a very loving and kind heart.

It reminded her of her father's funeral. With her step-mother refusing to arrange for the funeral, she had made arrangements with a funeral home with the basic pack and she couldn't even arrange the payment for the basic pack. She ran around trying to get a loan, but no one was willing to loan a large sum to an eighteen year old girl who hadn't even finished her high school yet,

But someone paid for her father's funeral and they even upgraded the pack. Her father was buried in a cherry wood casket. Although Uncle Pat didn't admit to it, she knew it was him and the other employees who contributed to her father's funeral.

I say I have no one, but I am left wanting for nothing, right? In a way I am blessed.

There was a little voice in her heart that comforted her. She has faced a lot of troubles in her life and she had succeeded through it.

This too will pass.

She bowed her head and held the little casket close to her heart. Her teardrops had made splashes on the surface of the box and she wiped it with her hand. She lifted the box and placed a kiss on the box.

My child... I'm holding you in my hand a lot sooner than I should... I didn't even feel you flutter in my womb and yet you're here in my hand... Why were you in such a hurry to leave, my child? I didn't even get to know you! Did you want to dance with the angels that much? Did you think you'd be happier in the heavens than with me? Are you angry your useless mother didn't protect you?

I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

Rest well, my child. May you dance in the golden clouds with the angels. Like a dream, you came in my life and like a mist you went away. But you are not going alone. Like you are a part of me, you're taking a part of my soul with you, leaving a hole that can never be filled. And forever you will stay in my heart.

I love you, my child... I will wait for my turn to join you...

She knelt, and hugging the box wept for some more time. No amount of weeping seemed enough as she said goodbye to her child whom she couldn't get to know. She felt a gentle hand rubbing her back and she turned to look at Daisy and nodded.

Ah, I need to do this.

She took a deep breath and placed the little casket in the ceramic pot Uncle Pat made. Daisy helped filling in the soil and they planted a miniature rose flower bush in that pot. It was named 'At Last' and Daisy said the apricot coloured blossoms have a sweet fragrance and they attract butterflies. Also Daisy said the plant is robust and can be cared even by novices like Jerlina.

The sun started to set when it was time for Jerlina to leave for her new 'temporary home'. She didn't know how long she should stay there.

What does 'until I say so' means? So, I should wait for the day he gives me permission to leave?

She tried to carry the planter, but it was heavy and Dr. Kruger asked a couple of her staff to transfer the planter to the car. Perspiration formed on her forehead and Jerlina gulped seeing the big black truck in front of her and her hands trembled unconsciously.

It was just days ago she thought she'd get crushed by this car and she endured severe pain sitting in this car. She really didn't want to get anywhere near this car.

But does she have a choice?

"Mom, I'll borrow your car tonight. I forgot to fill gas in my car."

She heard the monster speak to his mum and she sighed in relief. After thanking Dr. Kruger and Daisy, she got in the SUV making sure the planter is placed safely in the back.

I can open the door myself – she thought when he opened the front passenger seat for her.

"Call me if he does anything you don't like," Daisy said holding her hand and Jerlina nodded with a smile.

Jerlina really couldn't have gotten through this terrible time in her life without this woman and she knew she is forever indebted to her. From taking care of her, to help her bury her child, and even now, Daisy is saying that she'll support Jerlina when TJ does something she doesn't like and not necessarily when he does something wrong.

She couldn't stop smiling as she got in the car. The car had a lavender air freshener and she fastened the seatbelt as TJ took it upon himself to close the door too.

They travelled in silence through the fairly empty, long road to the town Wolford, where TJ lives. Wolford is next to Peyton where Jerlina's father's home is.

Although Wolford is listed as a town, the Fitzgerald Lumber Corp owns the hectares of forest in that area and it has only one home- the Fitzgerald Estate home. The Fitzgerald family owned the Lumber factories and sawmills for four generations.

And now the Fitzgerald Lumber Corp and the family home are all owned by none other than Jeremy Joel Harrison.

Jerlina isn't sure how Jeremy inherited it all from Mr. Peter Fitzgerald, the previous owner, but there were many rumors surrounding that issue. What she heard was TJ was the boy-toy of Mr. Fitzgerald and in his twilight years TJ was pretending to love him and manipulate him for his wealth.

It was during her junior year in high school this rumor circulated and Jerlina thought that rumor came to since Mr. Fitzgerald didn't have any children. He didn't marry after his wife's death and he didn't adopt anyone either.

But even Emma told her that Mr. Fitzgerald 'likes' Jeremy so much. Jerlina thought 'like' as in 'like a son', but Emma inferred different kind of like.

Well, whatever floats his boat!

That's what she thought at that time. And rumors are rumors and whatever the case is, TJ inherited the company when he was barely twenty one. It's been ten years since then and he proved he is good at what he does and the company has developed exponentially.

That was not the only rumor she heard about Jeremy when she lived here. Some say he likes girls – as in little girls which is a federal offense but he gets away with it because he is rich. Some say he only sleeps with s*x workers, some say he truly loved Mr. Fitzgerald and he can't love anyone else.

It is a fact that he is a belligerent gang- lord, and apart from that, the rumors about him were plenty. None of it is good.

Now... I am his wife in paper!

And I have to live with him!

God help me.