Marrying the Man in the Dark

The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, and Raymond’s whimpers reverberated through the room.

Damien’s icy glare sent shivers down Wanda and Patricia’s spines, despite their claims, of affection for the groaning figure on the floor.

Finally, Wanda, her voice trembling, pulled at Cherise’s sleeve. “Cherry, please reason with Dame before he has Raymond killed!”

Cherise’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She met Wanda’s gaze and slowly withdrew her hand. “Are you certain you want him to remain alive?”

Confusion flushed Wanda’s face.”

In Wanda’s eyes, Cherise was still the sweet, forgiving girl she had been five years ago. She wouldn’t dare question someone’s plea, let alone doubt her love.

Wanda had no inkling of how much Cherise had changed, how five years had molded her into a

every woman in town, even attempting to reconcile with Mrs. Miles at this party while you’re playing the role

like a splash of cold

him? That was akin to leaping off a cliff blindfolded. Without his prestigious name, who would she be? In public, she was Mrs. Lenoir, all smiles and elegance, but internally,

all the diamond rings

meeting Cherise’s gaze as her

her face as she turned to Damien, who continued to pummel Raymond like a punching bag. “Dame,”

with that, a new life, a new lover, all acquired with

turned the tables, leaving Raymond’s sole defender

battered Raymond, each blow fueled