Marrying the Man in the Dark

“This too shall pass.”

Lucy gently patted her back and sighed deeply, “Everything always does.”

“Cherry, it’s up to you whether the grudges from previous generations should affect your feelings. for Damien, Lucy said.

In the days that followed, Damien respectfully kept his distance from Cherise.

She underwent surgery, faced nightmares alone, and visited Charisa – all alone.

“Cherry,” Charisa said, leaning against her bed’s headboard and smiling. “Don’t let my issues affect your life.”

“Mom…”

Cherise’s mind wandered as she gazed out the window. “I have been absent from your life for nineteen years.”

“In your future, too, I’ll remain absent.”

“Your dad is no different – he’s not one to take care of others.”

“Acknowledging him requires dividing your attention, and it’s not glamorous.”

gaze, looked intently at Cherise, and said gravely, “I suggest

period of your life as a dream.”

stay

held Charisa’s hand and was at a loss for words.

both made great

thought that Damien was genuinely willing to

a glimmer of hope

called Damien after leaving the

want to meet?”

“Okay,”

and Damien agreed to meet

was with lan the last

had made her drink a cup of

felt an eerie sense of familiarity upon returning

she had finished her coffee,

him

and looked noticeably worn out.

he wore the familiar black suit neatly while his face

at her with obsidian eyes and croaked out her name, “Cherry,” still

time Cherise heard him call her with such a strained

“Hmm.”

a little, trying to muster