n

n

n

"Just leave, Gerry.

"

nShe didn't want to think about love or anything like that now. She just wanted to be left alone.

nThere was silence for some time and Jerlina still didn't turn to look at him. He left after a while without saying anything more.

nJeremy was silent. His wounds stang but his heart hurt more. Both of them were interacting as if he wasn't even there and it hurt.

nThey are going to talk more?

n

"Do you need to get your wounds treated?

" she asked as they got near his mom's clinic.

n

"No, they are just scratches,

" he replied. He has had worse wounds and this is nothing.

n

"Okay,

" she didn't insist. He is a grown man and if he says he is fine, he should be fine.

nThey reached home and Jerlina parked the car and handed him the keys. He looked at her reddened eyes and he didn't know what she needed. He tried to strike a conversation.

nHe didn't know what to talk about, but he needed to tell her something.

n

"Don't do that – interrupting a fight... don't do that again. I'm never alone and I can protect myself, so-

"

n

"I know. I am sorry. I might have caused more trouble than good by rushing in without thinking. I reflected on that. I won't do that again,

" She said with a decisive tone as they got inside the house. She must have gone crazy for a moment doing something like that.

nBut what Gerard said...

n

"It's not for my sake-

"

n

"TJ,

" she interjected him.

"As I told you before, you don't have to keep your end of the deal. I don't agree with what you two decided by yourself.

"

n

"And I-

"

n

"Wait, let me finish,

" she took in a deep breath.

"You don't have to do this. You can throw me out even now. I won't mind. You have no obligation to protect me. You don't have to stay married to me and I don't think Gerard would divorce Emma even if you didn't fulfill your side of the deal. You don't have to deceive the government and your family for some deal you made with someone.

"

nShe hated this. Being married to the brother of the wife of her ex and even the marriage is all fake. It's all twisted and abhorrent. And if TJ used to like her in the past, she didn't want to give him hope that he has some chance with her and she didn't want to be trapped in this farce marriage in case he gets obsessive and wants to keep her.

nIsn't marriage supposed to be a sacred institution? What do I have here?

n

"Why? Why do you think that guy won't divorce Emma?

" Jeremy asked knitting his brows. How is she so sure of it when that guy says that she is his wife in front of him?

nI am on her side, that guy is on her side. But no one is on Emma's side. How can she still think Emma has the upper hand?

n

"Because Emma blackmailed Gerry to-

"

n

"Shut up!

"

nJerlina flinched as Jeremy shouted. He looked terrifyingly mad and she gulped and calculated the fastest way to reach her room in case he tries to hurt her.

n

"I told you not to bring up her name!

" He shouted and Jerlina gulped as her heart raced.

n

"And you will stay with me until I let you go! That's it! We are not talking about this anymore!

" he said pointing his finger at her in an authoritative tone and Jerlina furrowed her brows.

n

"Why? Because only you can protect me?

" Jerlina asked slowly reaching the stairs. She wanted to leave and at the same time, she didn't want to accept what is pushed on her by him.

"How can I trust you? You can't even protect me from meeting Emma and Gerry today. How will you...

" she paused seeing his expression changing to shame as he looked down.

nJeremy was ashamed. He assured Jerlina that Emma won't be there, but in the end, she got her mood spoiled. But how can she compare meeting Emma with the threat to her life?

n

"Let me guess... Emma told you she won't be there today and you believed her. I bet you believe that she bought a bag full of gifts for you, don't you? Pathetic!

" She shook her head and got on the stairs. He didn't seem to be moving and she wanted to get away from him.

n

"Pathetic? Is that what you call people who love someone? I told you why Emma is important to me and yet you're speaking this way about her to me?

" Jeremy asked. He wanted to get close to her, but he knew she got scared. He didn't want her to run away from him.

n

"Well, what do I know about love, Mr. Harrison?

" Jerlina turned and smirked.

"You saw how I cut off people. Whether it is Gina or Gerry, I can throw them out and shut the door like a heartless monster. Of course, I have no sense of what 'love' is. Unlike your lovely sister who is filled with love from head to toe, of course,

" she snorted.

n

"There you go!

" Jeremy threw up his hands.

"You saw how Emma talked for you today and yet-

"

n

"Oh! Emma talked for me! I am sooo touched!

" Jerlina placed her hands on her chest.

"Is that the same Emma who lied to you that I hurt her? Tell me, TJ, since you are smart and strong enough to protect me although I don't need you...

nI was kept in a cabin like a dog for a month and she came to me. Mind you, SHE CAME TO ME, to brag about her wedding with MY BOYFRIEND! I was pregnant and do you think I would have been stupid enough to start a physical fight with her? Even if I did hurt her out of anger, you must have stood close to her, and did you see any scratches or bruises on her that day? How did I hurt her again? And you wanted me to apologize to her just with her word alone... Why should I apologize? She should be thanking me for not using that knife she kept on stuffing in my hand!

nToday... you brought me there and I was ambushed by her after you swore she won't be there. I don't know... If she is not a liar, then did you purposefully brought me in? What should I think TJ? Are you a liar? That's why I don't have any hopes that you will protect me and I don't need your protection either,

" she climbed up the stairs and ran to her room.

n

"Stop! Just...

" Jeremy tried to stop her.

nShe doesn't even say 'stab' when that was the word Emma used. Yes, Emma said that she almost got stabbed.

nEmma had a knife?

nI personally removed every sharp object from the cabin fearing Jerlina might hurt herself. Where did Emma get a knife?

nShould I ask Emma? Or is Jerlina lying?

nHe saw Charlie standing by the door and walked to him.

n

"We caught three of 'em. They were on their own trying to get some points by getting you...

" Charlie briefed about the attempt on Jeremy's life.

n

"Charlie, that day Emma visited Jerlina... Did she happen to bring anything?

" Jeremy asked.

n

"No...

" he shrugged.

"But it was weird when she took the apple I had, thinking that I peeled it for your wife. I almost forgot about it, but I remembered when you misunderstood that I have something with your wife the other day. Did Emma say something to you about your wife and me? 'cause I don't know why you thought that lowly of me to... I am happy with Foxy. You should know that.

"

nCharlie wanted Jeremy to be clear about that. It is not good for both of their relationships. He does not like Jerlina but after seeing the stunt she pulled today, he was a little impressed.

nIt was a little stupid, but she did help a little when he was farther away.

n

"Oh?

" Jeremy scratched his beard. Emma did mention that Charlie gets along with Jerlina. Did she assume it with just an apple?

n

"A knife-

"

n