Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

When they reached Venice, they checked in the hotel and Jeremy settled in the luggage. Jerlina walked to the balcony. They've arrived very early in the morning and the sun is yet to rise.

Fog was rising from the canals that reflected the street lights rather bluntly. Hugging herself, Jerlina watched around. Some early birds were already up and other than that there was no one around.

"How are you feeling, Jeryl?" Jeremy walked to her. "You can rest for an hour or two if you want. Or do you want to have breakfast?" he asked wrapping his arm around her waist.  He placed his palm over her lower abdomen and softly rubbed it.

"I am fine," Jerlina leaned on his and placed her hand over his hand. "I am not getting cramps oddly," she let out a deep breath. "And it is perfect!"

"This is a beautiful place, Joel... I never thought I'd be able to travel here this soon. I thought I'll have to save for years," she turned and pecked his lips.

"You wanted to visit here?" he asked. He didn't know why he remembered about  Emma and Gerard's honeymoon now. They were here.

"I wanted to visit Venice from when I was in elementary school... In fact, I wanted to go on a Euro trip. I've never told anyone about that. But you...Thank you, husband," she turned and hugged him.

"I am glad you're enjoying it," Jeremy kissed her forehead.

How much more of her wishes is she hiding?

They walked around Venice on foot for the entire morning. Jeremy noticed that she is not having any appetite. She was enjoying the walk through the city though. They went on a ride in a beautiful gondola, took a lot of pictures, found really beautiful buildings that they didn't know existed, listened to the singing of an amazing choir…

Their day was very productive and she was enjoying every moment of it.

Or is she just pretending?

He could see that she was acting normal. At least to his knowledge. But how much does he know her? He didn't want to doubt her. He wanted to believe that she will tell him if something is bothering her. But will she?

I did everything for her to be happy. What if she is not?

Rather than enjoying the moment, his heart was filled with doubts. He intended to make her happy but thinking about making her happy, he became tired of it all. Tired of trying to understand her.

He checked his phone again. The investigations around Daisy's death have faced a dead end. They couldn't even find out why she went to that part of the city and with who she met. They even investigated the cars that passed through the intersection.

There were some of his foes' cars that sped through the intersection. It was a dark part of the city and Daisy better than anyone should have known that going to that place is not going to be safe for her. It is basic knowledge of anyone sane not to enter the turf of a gang known for violence.

But why did she go there? And his father's car was there too. He didn't know if it was connected. But he has found proof that his dad was in some other meeting with a potential investor at that time. It couldn't have been him. He asked to investigate if his father's wife was the one who took the car.

But what intent would she have to kill Daisy if that's what went through there?

And Emma… He didn't know what to think. He should be happy that Emma has shown her true colors and she will stay away from them.

He thought Jerlina would at least express a little sadness about Emma's pregnancy. But she didn't. She avoids talking about her.

In the past, she would bring up Emma in their conversations probably to make him not bottle up his feelings about her. And he was getting better from his hurt. But these days, Jerlina just stopped talking about Emma altogether. Even if he brings up Emma, she'd just go to her autopilot mode. She'd just pretend she didn't hear what she didn't want to hear.

And the words she said yesterday, he didn't want to think of it much. But it did hurt him. She just said so easily that he wants her dead and then she said that she'd prefer her dead.

She once used to think that he will kill him and she did want to die. He understands that she didn't mean the words she said yesterday. And he knew she is hurting although she is not saying anything. And those words…

He can talk to her about it. And he knew what would happen next. She would apologize and say that she didn't mean it. But isn't that what she is thinking? About him killing her or that she kills herself?

Not always, but at least that was her thought process at that moment she said those words.

And she still is not accepting his help.

Does she even love me?

"Should we travel again or can we stay here for another day?" he asked her.

She was casually humming and packing her bag. She's not eating properly complaining about this and that. She is not taking any medications for that either and he could see that she is sleeping restlessly at night.

She is definitely stressed but she is not talking to him about it. It made him feel unwanted.

Yes, they've been doing "it" a lot these days. But he thought she resolves to that method as she doesn't want to talk to him.

He didn't know why he's feeling this way these days. These days..? It was after he met with 'him' that day. That guy waited for him that day to say these words.

'She'll change… You'll surely see it. Don't say I didn't warn ya! Do you think she will accept you, carry your baby and raise them in your home?' he smirked. 'She's mine and I will get her back! She is mine. She knows it too.'

He wanted to kill him that day. But he stopped himself.

He is not worth it.