Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

The child was shuddering. Jerlina didn't know if it was fright or cold. But seeing her mother in a pool of blood is a tribulation for a child of any age much less a toddler.

"Mommy will be fine, Cia," Jerlina hugged the child close to warm her.

Her eyes watered remembering the promise she made with Scarlett that she would take care of Cia in case of her early passing.

Please don't collect on the promise yet, Scar'¦ Please'¦

Hiding her tears with an affirming smile, Jerlina brought Cia back to their house. Cia was oddly silent. She is a smart child after all and she has realized the tense situation. Scarlett was talking about teaching Cia to ask for help in case of emergencies. Cia followed through her mother's words bravely but she still is a child.

After informing Jeremy, she bathed and changed Cia. She tried to feed Cia but she was not eating.

"Mommy," Cia said. "Want mommy'¦"

And that's all she said.

"Mommy will be back soon, Cia baby," Jerlina said with feigned confidence. "Let's talk to daddy, shall we?"

She dialed Bobby for the umptieth time and Bobby was not answering the phone. He was so useless Jerlina got angry at him. She understood that he would be freaked out, but Scarlett getting complications was always on the table.

How come he didn't prepare himself? Does he even remember he has another child who might be more terrified than him?

Jerlina called Scarlett's mom and she answered her. She told her that Scarlett was taken to an emergency C- section as she had suffered a severe placental abruption. The doctors are hopeful as she said and that made Jerlina relax a bit. Scarlett's mom talked with Cia and Cia was repeating the same to her grandmother too. But it is not feasible to have a toddler in the hospital now.

Jeremy came straight home. And he let out a sigh seeing Jerlina.

"Go change, Jeryl'¦" he kissed her head as he picked up Cia.

Jerlina only then noticed the blood on her clothes. Scarlett's blood must have transferred to her when she carried Cia. Since she knew Jeremy would take care of Cia, she walked to the room to change.

Looking at the mirror, she rubbed her belly. At thirty-three weeks, the chance of survival of the baby is high, but Scarlett'¦

A wave of fear washed over her as she thought about her pregnancy and delivery. Although Dr. Kruger assured her that everything will be fine, she did have this fear popping up from time to time. Labor is something dangerous even with medical advancements after all!

Ah, everything will be fine!

When she got down, her lips curved to a smile seeing Cia sitting at the table holding her spoon and eating the scrambled eggs Jeremy prepared. Jeremy is very good at cooking eggs. And she was glad to see Cia eating something.

After eating, Jeremy carried Cia around the living room, patting her back, and within ten minutes, Cia fell asleep.

Magic! Joel has magic! Or'¦ Am I useless? Do I not know how to handle a baby? Am I not motherly?

Jerlina sank into her doubts. But there was a little relief in her heart that Joel would not be as useless as Bobby when the situation gets tough.

Joel is reliable!

Jerlina heated the leftovers for them and Jeremy returned after putting Cia to sleep.  As they were eating, they got the news that the baby is delivered and that he is fine. Scarlett, on the other hand, has lost a lot of blood, and her situation is not very good.

Jerlina was relieved that the baby is safe. That's what Scarlett would have wanted.

But Scar'¦

"Don't get stressed," Jeremy held her hand. She nodded. She didn't fail to notice the panic in his eyes.

"I am fine, Joel'¦ Don't worry'¦" she held his hand.

His hands that were cold as ice gripped hers. His face was pale as a sheet.

"I think we should talk about what to do in case something goes wrong with me'¦" she looked at him. She doesn't remember seeing him this terrified. She worried if he would react like Bobby.

"Nothings gonna go wrong," he stood up.

"At whatever cost, save our son," she decided to pass her point across.

Jeremy yanked the plate in front of her.

"Prepare your heart in case something-"

*Clang*

Jeremy smashed the plate on the floor. "I can have a hundred kids! I do not need to save one!" he shouted at her.

Jerlina winced and her heart started to pound. His eyes were red and his lips were trembling out of rage. She rarely sees him getting angry and he never gets this mad at her.

And it made her mad.

She stormed off the dining room and lay beside Cia in the guest bedroom. She heard more smashing sounds outside and holding back her tears she fell asleep without her knowing.

Is it that hard for him to understand my concerns and fears?

When she woke up, it was already dark outside, and lying beside her was none other than her husband. She looked for Cia on the bed, but her heart almost stopped when she was not there.

"She's with Charlie'¦"

As she was about to jump from the bed, she was pulled back by Jeremy's gentle pull. Pouting, since she was still mad at him, Jerlina lay on her side, facing him.

Let's see if he apologizes'¦

"I am not going to apologize if that's what you are expecting and I am not going to change my mind," he said still closing his eyes. "Your eyes are loud. Stop rolling them too much."

Jerlina pouted and turned around. She didn't know how he figured out that she was rolling her eyes. His eyes appeared closed.

He tried to hug her and his hands ended up over her chest and she pinched him. He didn't let out a sound and his hands ended up softly on her belly. She was about to pinch him to not let him touch her baby, but then she calmed down as her baby started to kick. He always recognized his father's touch.

Jeremy leaned closer to her and with his nose pressed on her head, stayed silent. He gently rubbed her belly and she didn't have to be told that he loves the baby in her belly as much as she does.

It was then she realized an important thing.