Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina stood near the Jeep and her chest felt heavy. The way Gerard looked at her got imprinted in her heart and his gentle voice that was trembling when he asked her what is wrong with her, hurt her.

She only then realized something. He must have been shocked to learn that she is married to TJ just like she was when Emma mentioned her wedding with Gerard. He might even be thinking that she married TJ to get back at him.

I don't want him to misunderstand.

Although she had decided that she should have nothing to do with Gerard anymore, after seeing his hurt face, her heart wavered.

"Shall we leave?" TJ's voice came from behind her.

"Mmm..." She tried to open the door as if it was a doorknob by turning it when it should be pulled.

Jeremy opened the door for her as she appeared absent.

"Jer, wait...Please, just one minute," Gerard's voice came from behind when she kept her one foot in the car and Jeremy clenched his fists.

He felt a sharp pain in his chest when she stepped out of the car. Her eyes were red and she looked at him pleadingly. He knew what she is going to ask him.

Even after he spoke unnecessary words and hurt you, even though I was the one who made you laugh, you still want to go to him?

'You'll show her love and she'll go back to her past lover...'

Alexander Volkonsky's words came to his memory. When Alexander said that, he thought it won't be that hard since he had already prepared his heart for that.

But it hurts! I know she is not going away with him now and will return to me. But still, it hurts!

"Get in the car," Jeremy told Gerard.

It might hurt him, but this is what he decided.

Gerard hesitated to get in Jeremy's car, but he knew if he wanted to talk to Jerlina, he cannot do it here. He opened the back passenger side door for her while Jeremy was still holding the front passenger side door.

Jerlina thought they were going to talk inside the car and that's why Jeremy asked Gerard to get in. So she got in the back. Gerard closed the door and looked at Jeremy with a victorious smirk. Jeremy closed the door with a wry smile and was about to turn.

"The deal between us was not for you to marry my woman," Gerard said in a low voice, clenching his teeth. He wanted to give a square punch in his face, but he held back.

"But you wanted her protection," Jeremy turned back, "What better protection is out there than being my wife?" he sneered. "There is no one who has the guts to touch my woman."

He is someone who can't even protect his own woman and sent her to another man. Why does he deserve respect? If it was for someone else other than for his Luna, he'd have laughed in his face and called him names.

"You-" Gerard clenched his fists. He understood Jeremy is mocking his inability to protect his woman. He did stand by her side and was willing to do anything to protect her. If only Emma didn't blackmail him into submission, he never would have separated from her.

Jerlina saw the two men conversing – no, shooting daggers at each other and wanted to step out.  She didn't want Gerard to get hurt.

Gerard is not a weak man. He works out – CrossFit to be precise. But she knew he is incomparable with TJ. Whoever starts the fight, the one with actual experience in brawling is TJ and Gerard won't have a chance with him.

"Let's not create a scene in front of Jerlina," Jeremy said and walked to the driver's seat. He can end him in a single punch, but he didn't want to hurt Jerlina.

"You saw, right? She will return to my side!"

Gerard's proclamation pierced his heart, but he pretended to not hear it.

----

"What is your husband's relationship with that girl?" Jeremiah asked Emma. Everything looked weird for him and Gerard even followed her out.

"She's an ex of Gerard. Jerry must have brought her here to cause trouble and you saw she is in on it too. Never mind them, dad. Gerard loves Emma. He will take care of that woman. You saw how he is on our side," Harold gave an explaination.

"Whatever it is, handle it well. My children cannot get embroiled in controversies." Jeremiah said and got up.

"Dinner..?" Lynette got up behind her husband.

"I'm going to bed. He ruined my mood," with a grumble Jeremiah got up the stairs.

"Emma?" Lynette looked at Emma for answers.

"It should be to protect her from the gangs. He is stupid and that b*tch used him. Ugh!" Emma scratched her head.

"Why not tell the gang that they are not actually married?" Jennifer asked and Emma shook her head.

"Do not do anything stupid! Just leave it as it is! That b@stard is stupid but he is extremely well-informed. If he finds out that any one of us is getting involved regarding her, no one will know what he will do."

"But-"

"Do what you want, mom!" Emma interjected her mother, "I don't care. No matter what, he won't touch me anyway. I can't say the same for you. Just stop bothering me. My newlywed husband left me to go behind his ex. Have some pity for me. I don't know what magic she knows to make all men go behind her. Wh*re, c**t...I wish she gets r*ped and murdered. When will she die?" she stomped to her room mumbling curses.

Harold rubbed his chin with a smirk as he got a piece of important information.

-----

The cicadas were chirping loudly and the night breeze caressed her face as she leaned on the car.

Jerlina looked at Jeremy standing far away beside a tree. He parked the car in a park nearby and stepped into the darkness.

He looks lonely.

"When Gina called me saying you cut her off, I didn't believe her. But it is true?"

Gerard's calm voice that used to be her strength, gave her pain this time.

"I did. I never liked them. They abused me when-"

"Still they are your family! Isn't that reason enough to be kind to them? What happened, Jer? You seem different. Did that thug's behavior rubbed on you?" Gerard grabbed her shoulders.

He knows her as the kindest, soft-hearted person. If she is not that person anymore, he wondered if he even knows her.

"I am saying I was abused and you're not listing to me. You're saying they are my family. Heh! Gerard, since when do you care more for Gina than for me?" Jerlina shrugged off his hands.

"Was it after you broke up with me or even before that? Is that why you invited her to your wedding when you kept it from me?"

Jerlina wanted to be harsh, but her voice shook thinking of the day she learned of his wedding.

"Jer, I..." Gerard let out a deep breath. Her tears are his weakness and he can't bear to see her cry. "I am sorry. I had no choice but to make a deal. It was I who went to see TJ that day and-"

"I know of the deal, Gerry," Jerlina wiped the corners of her eyes. "What I want to know is... what does Emma have on you?" She focused on his eyes.

Gerard's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know TJ told her about the deal and she is smart to figure out Emma has blackmailed him to marry her.

And he wanted to know if she might have been forced by TJ to marry. If so, she still loves him alone.

"If you know I am blackmailed into marriage, why did you marry him?" he asked to get the details of her marriage.

About his secret - she will leave him if he tells her. So it will be kept buried.

Jerlina shook her head in disbelief. Why is he replying to her question with another question?

It was then she heard a bunch of footsteps around them.

"It's him! Get him!"

A bunch of guys pointed at Jeremy.