Marrying the Man in the Dark

“Mom hid her illness from us…”

Beckham lifted his gaze, his eyes drawn to the woman behind the glass isolation door.

It was the first time he’d seen her since their painful separation nineteen years ago.

He had yearned for her return for nearly two decades, clinging to the belief that she still loved. him, but he couldn’t understand why she’d leave him.

Beckham had always believed Charisa was under duress, forced to leave by some unspeakable circumstance, and that she would one day return.

But…

When he learned about Charisa from his father, a wave of guilt, helplessness, and regret washed over him.

Beckham ached for a reunion with Charisa, to make amends for the sacrifices she’d made over the past nineteen years, to embrace the daughter they’d created together.

His father mentioned her tarnished reputation, hinting that Charisa wouldn’t be accepted and regarded as Mrs. Tanner again, even if they reconciled.

It was no secret that Charisa had been involved with several men in the past, back when she was still a Miles.

Beckham didn’t care about her

knew Charisa had been coerced, violated, and mistreated.

was her fault.

was an unyielding force, resilient against the

painted countless reunion scenarios, envisioning them locked in a tearful embrace,

lying unconscious behind a glass barrier. At the same time, he stood outside,

upon the woman imprisoned within

memories from their shared past and youthful days washed over him, back to

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expressed her preference for

musical dreams and aspirations of becoming an independent musician and devoted himself to

But she….

desire she had ever expressed except for shielding her from harm

in the past, and now, what of

any future

devastated form, Cherise’s hands clenched into

her into

the unexpected gesture, but Damien’s familiar scent soon calmed her anxieties.