Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

"Isn't this enough?" Jerlina mumbled to Jeremy after posing for the umptieth picture. There were photos and videos taken of them and he was pretty interested in taking pictures unlike her.

Most of the guests have left, 

Scarlett came often to touch up her makeup and Jerlina felt like she is a model doing a photo shoot.

"Are you tired already?" he looked a little disappointed. He could see she was in a good mood and she looked extremely beautiful. And so he used the chance to have as many pictures with her as he wanted, but he didn't want to push her hard.

"Yes, my feet kills me. Didn't we take enough pictures?" Jerlina really couldn't even stand anymore. Her feet started to blister. "You should take some with your sister. She's glaring at me for a long time."

  "Yeah, then sit here for a moment then... I'll be back," he pulled a chair for her to sit and ran to his sister. She saw Emma's face brightening up, immediately, seeing him.

What an actress! Or does she really love her brother that much? Am I getting blinded by my bias towards her? Does Jeremy see her genuine love because he loves her too?

Eh, whatever!

  She never tried to be polite about Emma when she talks to him. She thought he'd get offended and ask her to be polite with her, but he never did. She wondered what that was about.

'Those restrictions are not for you.'

She closed her eyes.

Did he really mean it? Ah, didn't he get angry at me before when I talked about his dear sister? His sister is his number one... 

And it is not wrong. 

"Haha... So now what?" She heard Scarlett's sneer and opened her eyes. Scarlett seemed to be confronting Emma and she stood up and walked closer out of curiosity.

She noticed how pissed the Harrisons were when they left. Emma wanted to leave with them, but she was told something and was left here. 

So this is her plan for the day? Because her family was humiliated in public?

Heh! Emma... Like she can genuinely love someone... Why did I ever doubt her?

"So now that "ev-eryone's" wondering why a Harrison is leading a Fitzgerald company, should he change the company's name too? Just like he changed his name without any gratitude for our Fitzgerald?" Scarlett shouted at Emma and Jeremy was patting Scarlett's shoulder to calm her down. 

"I'm not gonna-"

"Well, Emma, the most thoughtful one!" Scarlett snapped her finger at Emma who now looked pitiful with her eyes filled to the brim with tears. "You don't have to worry about it since we – the people of Peyton, can tell those "everyone" how your father abandoned his son and it was Fitzgerald who later adopted him and handed over his company to him. We can-" Scarlett was pretty mad and started screaming at Emma.

"I swear Jerlina," Scarlett turned at Jerlina seeing her approaching. Bobby who was at the distance started running towards them.

"If your husband changes the company's name listening to his witch of a sister... I am finished with him." She made a cut-throat gesture. "Finished forever... Peyton's been the Fitzgerald's land for more than a century. It will never become Harrison's. Tell him..." 

"Scar... I... I didn't even mean it that way," Emma spoke in a soft voice as if she was terrified of Scarlett. "I was just telling my brother what I observed. I am sorry if-"

"Ha! Shove your fake apology where the sun doesn't shine, Emma! Only your half-brother and-"

"Scar, let's go home..." Bobby wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Ha, here comes the white knight of that poor Princess," she snorted. 

"Jerry, we're leaving," Bobby picked her up. "I'll take care of her," he kissed her forehead. "Kitty, calm down."

"Let me down, Bobby. Let me tell that fool that he cannot change the company name..." Scarlett wasn't screaming anymore.

"What company's name?" Bobby knitted his brows and looked at Jeremy.

"It's nothing... She assumes I am going to change our Lumber company's name. I won't," Jeremy said and Bobby looked at him for a couple of seconds before turning to leave.

"You better not."

"Don't trust him too much, Bobby. Didn't he promise us that he won't change his name? You saw his wedding invitation, right? Heh! She already started to convince him about the company name. Wait a few years..."

Scarlett was complaining to Bobby and he was silent as he carried her back.

"I'm sorry, Jeremy... I didn't mean to start a fight between you and your friends. I was just..."

Emma went on and Jerlina felt her heart skip a beat.

When were they fighting? It could be called an argument, but a fight? Seriously?

She looked at Jeremy.

Come on, Joel! Correct her!

"I understand, Emma. I know you didn't have such intentions. Scarlett is overreacting but you should know that...that topic is a thorn between us..."

Jeremy tried to console the "regretful" Emma and Jerlina rolled her eyes. She swore she saw a glint in Emma's eyes, but she was not in the mood to analyze it.

"Wait for me, Bobby. I'm coming with you!" She decided to go home with Bobby. "I cannot bear with these cringy siblings," she mumbled and walked as fast as she can to Bobby's car.

"What?" Bobby had a weird expression as he turned and Jerlina felt a strong grip by her arm.

"You're coming home with me, wife," Jeremy was trying to smile but his jaws were clenched showing his displeasure with her.

Emma watched Jerem leaving her and running behind Jerlina and her heart filled with anger. She's been ignored the entire day. She tried to get attention by wearing the same color as the bride but she was lied to.

She is not wearing champagne white! How can that b*tch lie to me like this?

And during the ceremony, she called Jeremy plenty of times, but he didn't even look at her. And others... they didn't even reply to her when she tried to talk to them and plainly ignored her. 

Is the "bride" that special to ignore me? Me – the sister of the groom?

Not to mention that awful father and his orders...Ugh! Why am I suffering always? 

And... I am getting ignored again? 

She should pay for this all!

"Ah, yes..." Jerlina realized she in her wedding gown should be leaving with her "husband". "But my clothes-"

"We can get it tomorrow," he didn't let go. His blue eyes were shimmering like a sapphire lake and filled with determination not willing to let her go.

"Hey, Jer!" Emma walked closer. "Gerard is... you know, he's got hurt and he's not listening to the doctors and causing troubles in the hospital... Jer, so..." she tried to hold Jerlina's hand.

Jerlina took a step aside. "So?" she furrowed her brows.

"Can you please... please... come to the hospital and talk to him. He keeps on asking for you and he'll listen to you..."

"Oh?" Jerlina asked with concern.

Jeremy was shocked by Jerlina's tone of voice.