Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Three hours earlier...

Jerlina, sitting on the toilet seat stared at the four strips she had in her hand. She did have some doubts and that is why she brought pregnancy testing kits.Â

Yes, she got her periods. But it wasn't like her regular periods. There was only spotting and she felt different. Combined with that, she felt light-headed in the mornings and she gets very nauseated lately.

She used to love her husband's fried eggs but these days, even looking at them is making her want to throw up. Not to mention certain smells she used to love, make her retch these days. And she is craving pickles a lot these days.

These are some of the tell-tale signs of morning sickness as she's known. But she could be wrong. So she decided to wait for a week before taking a home pregnancy test before consulting Jeremy's mom.Â

She was secretive about it because she didn't want to be giving hope to her husband who is very eager for her to get pregnant. He thinks he is hiding it from her but she could see that he is very welcoming of their child. And he is very sad that she is not pregnant.

Yes, it puts a little pressure on her not to mention his mom too wishes for a child and so does Jonathan Erling.Â

It's a lot of pressure!

She didn't want to give hope to everyone only to break it. So she decided to confirm her pregnancy status before announcing it even to her husband. She loves him too much to give him heartbreak once more.Â

She's been the happiest the past few days and her days with Jeremy were amazing. He looked a little tired but that was acceptable. He never was a guy who found pleasure in looking around. He needed some hard labour to make him happy.Â

And she felt bad for keeping it all from him. He tried to be intimate with her but she wanted to confirm her pregnancy before she does anything. His size is not something that could be taken lightly. After her previous miscarriage, she could feel the fear in her heart although nothing is confirmed yet.

And now'¦ Is this confirmation?

She looked at the four strips. She knew these tests aren't that reliable and so she bought four just to have more idea.

And now'¦ One is showing the plus sign '“ It means she is pregnant.

Second one is plainly reading "pregnant"

Third one'¦ it has two lines and'¦ it is pregnancy!

Fourth one'¦ there is only one line'¦ Oh, wait'¦ There is another faint line'¦

Where is the manual'¦ Oh'¦Â

This means pregnant too!

4/4 tests say that I am pregnant.Â

Am I pregnant?

For real?

Jerlina's hands started to shake out of joy. The last time when she found out that she is pregnant, she was filled with mixed emotions but this time, there is only joy.

She got up and she wanted to run to Jeremy and show him the tests. She almost opened the bathroom door and stepped out.Â

Ah, but I still need to confirm'¦And then I can find a creative way to tell Joel.Â

Ahhhh! I can't wait to see his happy face! He'd look goofy with his surprised face'¦ And he'd start on the crib'¦

Should I bake a cake? Buy him socks or a mug saying "Best daddy" or something? How should I inform him?

Ah, I don't have a creative bone in my body! I should ask Scar's help'¦

Getting back in the bathroom, she kept the tests inside the cabinet. He won't use this bathroom if she's not in there and so this would be the perfect place to hide the tests.Â

But am I pregnant? What if the four tests are wrong? And what if there is a problem with the baby? What if I am not healthy?

No, Jerlina'¦ only positive thoughts'¦ only positive thoughts'¦

Jerlina took in deep breaths to calm herself.

  Whether it was the happiness or nervousness or the morning sickness, she couldn't stomach the breakfast. She did something she never does. She threw food in the trash.

After informing Joel she'd be going to the clinic that day, she left. Because of the expansion work going on, she's been visiting the clinic a lot lately and that's why he didn't question her more.

He looked not very impressed when she kissed him bye.Â

Just you wait, Joel! Tonight you'll get a piece of good news!

Humming a song, she went to the clinic. Charlie is not acting as her bodyguard anymore and he's supervising the expansion works.Â

"Emma came here," he ran to her when she alighted from her car.

Oh, not her!

Jerlina didn't hide her disgust. "What did she want?" she asked and that's when she noticed Emma's car at the parking lot.Â

"She's still here?" She asked Charlie and before she knew it, she started running inside and Charlie ran behind her.Â

Jerlina tried to open the door but it was locked inside.Â

"I found it weird and followed her but the doctor asked me to stay outside. It's been more than fifteen minutes. Can you hear anything..?" Charlie asked Jerlina who was trying to listen inside by keeping her ear on the door.

Jerlina shook her head. But then she knocked the door. "Mom'¦ It's me! Open the door! Mom! Mom!" she knocked the door a couple more times.

But there was no sound from the inside and Jerlina's heart skipped a beat.

"Break the door, Charlie!" she said and took a couple of steps back.Â

"Break it? Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes," Jerlina nodded.

Charlie stared at her for a second before running to the utility closet. Jerlina moved forther back seeing him carrying a battering ram.

Okay'¦ why does a clinic need a battering ram? Well, whatever!

With just a couple of rams, the door lock broke and the door opened. Charlie stepped in first and Jerlina carefully followed him in. Some of the staff came running hearing the door getting broken.Â

"What the'¦" Charlie shouted and ran to the table. "Doctor! Doctor!"

Jerlina saw Emma with her face filled with perspiration, tried to sneak out but Jerlina blocked her.  Charlie's shouts were painful and Jerlina saw Jeremy's mom on the floor on her back and she was mumbling something.Â

What happened!

Before Jerlina could compose herself, Emma sneaked past her.

"Stop her!" Jerlina shouted and one of the nurses tripped Emma and Emma fell on the floor twisting her ankles and another doctor got inside the room.

"What is it?" Jerlina ran to Dr. Kruger and she saw her holding her chest. The doctor helped Dr. Kruger up.

"Doctor! What is wrong with mom?" Jerlina asked the other doctor, swallowing her emotions. Her hands started to shake.

"Pills! Her pills!" the doctor said and Jerlina saw her pills spilled on the floor from the bottle.Â

The doctor not wasting time picked the spilled pills and after checking that they are the pills she is looking for, helped Dr. Kruger swallow the pills.

"Is she okay?" Jerlina knelt beside her. "Mom...?"