n

n

nJerlina wanted to slam the door shut in Jeremy's face but she held back considering this is not her house. Her uncle is thinking of her very highly and she won't break his trust by acting unruly in his house.

nShe tried to lock the door gently but before she could lock it, the door was pushed from the outside by her dear husband. She tried to close the door but as usual, she couldn't. She ran towards the bed and tried to get under the bed but he caught her because she tried to be careful getting down. Plus she wasn't driven by fear and she wasn't that keen on

"escaping

" him.

nJeremy caught her and hugged her from behind.

n

"Jeryl…

" his shaking voice made a gust of air graze her earlobe and she closed her eyes.

nHis warmth spreading on her back, his warm breath, and his scent all made her mesmerized. She already started to miss him.

n

"Don't show your back to me, my Luna,

" he nudged his nose behind her ear and took a sniff.

"It breaks my heart.

"

n

"Yeah, only you can show your back to me. I cannot. Got it,

" Jerlina got out of his hold and got to the bed.

n

"Wha-

" Jeremy looked at his empty hands and pouted.

"Is this about me leaving you in the morning?

" he asked.

nJerlina let out a scoff and lied on the bed with her back facing him and covered herself with the duvet. Pouting, she pretended to close her eyes.

n

"I am sleepy. Leave. Go be with whoever you want. You don't want me,

" she said.

nShe didn't want to but without knowing her eyes started to sting and her throat got heavy. She started to cry.

n

"What are you saying?

" Jeremy rubbed her arm sitting beside her.

"I want you so much. I want to hug you, I want to kiss you, I want to hold you, and I-

"

n

"Yeah, that's all you want from me. I am not going to do any of that. So go away,

" she said and silently wiped her tears. She didn't want to let him know that she is crying.

nShe still couldn't accept that he doesn't want her back home and he is leaving her in her uncle's house without even telling her why. He just decides by himself and without telling her the reason he is spouting nonsense again.

nJeremy saw her pouting and it hurt. He could see that she is hurting and she deserves his apology.

n

"My love for you wouldn't reduce a bit even if you kill someone, Jeryl…

" he interlocked his fingers with hers.

nJerlina started to listen as he opens up.

n

"After what Emma did to you… She deserves whatever you do to her and some more,

" he held the back of her head with his other hand.

nHe thought she'd talk about her pregnancy but she is not even talking about it. He thought if she is worried that he might not protect their baby.

nBut he already has plans for it and that's why he is leaving her here. It is for her safety and he wanted her to stay somewhere she'd be treated properly. He didn't want to let her leave the town. He's scared to let her out of his eyesight.

nWho else would treat her well than Patrick?

n'But I stopped you because…

" he took in a deep breath.

"I know a lot of guys, Jeryl. Guys who are serving time in prison and some who got out after serving their time. Many of them are good guys but just because they lost themselves in a moment of rage, oftentimes even for a justifiable reason, they lost their youths and the better part of their lives, rotting in the prison. I've heard them lament how if given a choice that they won't lose to rage again…

"

nJerlina's face relaxed hearing what he said. She did guess right about the reason he did what he did. He did it out of the care he has for her and that made her happy.

n

"When I saw you today, lost in rage…

" Jeremy continued.

"All I could think was how you'd behave months from now after everything is settled. Killing someone… It takes a part of your soul, Jeryl. Trust me. I know. I don't want you to suffer that pain… I saw how you grieved for your baby, Jeryl… I don't know how you'd have felt had you succeeded in doing what you thought that you wanted to do, but… From what I know about you, I don't think you could shrug it off and-

"

n

"When you said that Emma's pregnancy was saved, I was relieved,

" Jerlina interjected him.

nShe understood what he means to say and she needed no explanation.

nHe stopped me for my sake!

nHer heart got warm and the tears that formed in her eyes dissipated away just like the misgivings she had in her heart. She learned that she can trust him and he wouldn't disappoint.

n

"I know,

" he bowed and kissed her head.

nHis lips curved to a smile as he knew that about her. She never disappoints.

n

"But what Emma did…

" he ran his finger through her hair.

nIt hacked his heart learning what Emma did. Not just her behavior but the fact that he enabled her behavior and caused harm made him feel very guilty. He trusted Emma a lot and that became his bane. He has learned a valuable lesson not to trust anyone more than a certain limit.

nOnly my Jeryl…

n

"I am sorry, Jeryl…

" he rested his forehead on her arm and let out a deep breath,

"I am sorry I let that happen to you. I am sorry…

"

nJerlina's heart warmed up and tears streamed through her eyes.

"Don't apologize, Joel. It was not your fault. She used you and you were a victim too,

" she said it from the bottom of her heart.

nThat is what she believed and she will not let him think otherwise.

n

"Yeah..?

" Jeremy asked and tried to look at her face. But Jerlina hid her face from him.

"I want to protect you…

" his hand ended up on her belly.

nYou and our child… And that's why I am going to make sure Emma doesn't survive! Each day she is alive is a day my family is in danger. I cannot let that happen!

nYes, he wanted to wait a week. But he now learned that Jerlina is pregnant. And Emma will get no grace. He believed in his heart that if Emma learns of Jerlina's pregnancy, she will definitely try and hurt Jerlina.

nThis time, I won't let it happen! No one can hurt my family!

n

"Did you talk to your mom, Jeremy? I was mad at her for hiding the report from me and I didn't call her but she survived death today. I'll…

" she tried to get up to get her phone but Jeremy patted her to lie down.

n

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it all. Just sleep…

" he started to run his fingers through her hair.

nJerlina wanted to keep her eyes open and ask him why he is leaving her here but his gentle caresses made her eyes close. She was overwhelmed with tiredness and ended up closing her eyes. She could hear him singing some song very softly. She couldn't even open his eyes.

n

"Trust me, Jeryl…

" he kissed her forehead.

"I'll come fetch you after I finish doing what I've planned to do. Till then stay here and stay safe.

"

nNo…

nJerlina wanted to ask more but her eyes were so heavy she couldn't open them and she ended up in a deep sleep.

nAfter speaking with Patrick for sometime, Jeremy left the house. He pulled out his phone and dialed Gerard.

n

"We need to meet,

" he said and his lips curved to a dangerous smirk.

nCome on, little fishy... Come on closer... I have an attractive bait for you...

n

"Jerlina... she... I think I should divorce her. She... She might still be in love with you....

"

n