n

n

nJerlina expected he'd let go of her but his hold on her wrist tightened and he glared at her.

n

"For that? No! I don't have to be there in person. Bye, Emma. I am busy.

"

n

"...

"

n

"I'm with... Don't call me back, bye.

"

nHe ended the call.

nJerlina pouted seeing his mad-looking face.

nWell, why is he mad at me?

nThe doctor called them in at that moment and Jerlina ran inside. But the moment she saw that chair, her stomach churned.

n

"It's okay. I am here,

" Jeremy held her hand. He didn't seem mad now. She tried to get out of his hold, but he didn't let go.

nJerlina sucking in her breath, plopped on that chair of doom. The bright light that won't let you see around you, that mouth prop, that clinking, drilling, sucking noises...

nUgh!

nJerlina's ears felt stuffed, out of fear.

nUsually, she'd be answering to the dentist, but it was Jeremy who answered for her this time. He even had a copy of her dental records.

nHow the hell did he...

nWell... He knows my mom's middle and maiden names. So...

nShe just stared at a part of the ceiling blankly. The doctor had some soothing music on and spoke in a gentle tone. There were some peeping in, some 'do this- and thats', some discussions.

nThen the doctor told her what her previous doctor told her.

nTwo extractions!

nGreat!

nJeremy pulled a chair and sat beside her not minding the doctor and the doctor let him be although he was complaining that he was dragged here.

nThe dentist was dragged here against his wishes?

nDamn! I really am a mafia boss' wife!

nWait... what if she gets back at me for getting dragged at?

n

"Be careful, Drew. She's my wife and I know where you live.

" Jeremy spoke in a warning tone.

nHe threatens the doctor? What if he makes a mistake out of fear? What if he drills a hole into my brain?

nMy poor brain will leak out... And I have only one of those buggers...

n

"Jerlina, I'll be here... I'll make sure he does everything right, okay?

" Jeremy spoke in her ears as the doctor prepped her for IV sedation.

nShe didn't know what to think. She was crippled with fear. But then his gentle voice...

nWait... Is he reading my mind? He's probably an alien...

nBut... He's here, isn't he? He's with me.

nAs the IV started to work, she started feeling groggy. And there it was that phone call once again. Or she probably imagined it.

n

"Emma?

"

nHis voice was filled with concern.

nHaha... he'll leave this time.

nHer eyes became misty as she heard his voice. Her hands felt numb. She didn't even know if he's still holding it or not. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.

nThe heart doesn't suffer if the eyes don't see.

nHe answered Emma's call out of habit. He was going to end it, but his finger naturally swiped it to answer the call. He was surprised to realize how it has become a habit for him to answer her calls.

n

"Jerry, I am sorry for bothering you, but can I come to your house?

" Emma asked.

"I'm scared to be alone with Gerard...

" he heard her sniffles.

n

"I am not at home.

" He was irked.

nScared to be with him? Why did you force him to marry you then?

n

"So I can spend some time with Jerlina then~

" she spoke in her usual childish tone.

n

"No. Emma, just stay with your husband,

" He ended the call without hearing more from her. He was angry and didn't want to deal with her now.

nHe loved her and wanted to get her the help she needs, but not today. Not now.

nHe sent a text to Charlie to lock Jerlina's room. He didn't want Emma to be poking around her room.

n

"It is good to keep others at a distance after you're married...

" Drew said as he noticed Jeremy staring at his phone.

n

"You think?

" Jeremy looked up.

n

"Emma... she can be a bit...

" Drew shrugged with a chuckle.

"Being too possessive... It's not good. Even blood siblings don't hang around much these days unless there is an absolute need to...

"

nDrew stopped seeing Jeremy's blank stare. Usually, no one can talk to him this much about Emma, but this time he is silent. But he didn't want to take too much of a risk.

nJeremy was stunned. Drew thinks Emma is possessive. His assertion is true, probably. But he never told him this before. He wondered why he is hearing negative things about Emma only now.

nWell, his mom used to advise him at times. 'Unhealthy obsession' – she used to say. Daisy never liked Emma too.

nWell, my fault! I didn't listen to them.

n

"Is it fine if she sleeps?

" Jeremy asked the dentist after placing his phone in his pocket.

nLet's not think about Emma anymore.

n

"Yeah,

" Drew nodded.

nJeremy just stared at Jerlina. She probably rolled on the bed in pain. Her hair was very messy.

nWhy did you suffer alone? Why didn't you ask for my help? And why were you keen on sending me away when you are scared?

nHis heart hurt. She was so willing to let him go.

nIs it because she doesn't need me? Or is it because she doesn't want me?

nShe doesn't love me... is that it? If she loved me, she'd expect me near her and probably would fight for me.

nIs she even the type to fight for someone? She let go of Gerard pretty easily...

nNo!

nShe was on her way to get him back when I stopped her and...

nHis eyes ended up on her hand.

nWhen she was getting checked, she was unconsciously holding his hand tightly. But now her hold loosened probably because she is sedated. He didn't let go of her hand. He didn't want to.

nJerlina barely heard everything happening around her. She felt like she was floating. She ended up in a weird state. In that state, she reached the same place as before.

nThat hilltop with the distant valley where horses run freely.

nThat place seemed to be the place her brain goes to when she is discouraged. This time, she saw the boy again.

nHe was giggling and running behind the horses. A woman wearing a floral dress running was behind the boy. There was laughter; there was joy; there was fun.

nMommy! Mommy is taking care of my boy!

nHe is happy... Thankfully... He is happy!

nHer heart filled with happiness and her eyes expressed her joy with tears.

n-----

nJeremy wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.

n

"Does it hurt?

" he asked but he got no answers.

nThe doctor explained to him that it is probably the effect of the sedation and gave him the instructions on how to take care of her until she heals.

nHe carried her back to the car. She felt like air and he kissed her forehead.

nHer eyes slowly opened.

"You're here...

" she tried to smile.

"You're here...

"

n

"Yeah, I'm-

"

nShe hugged him around his neck. He froze.

n

"I love you...

"

n