Marrying the Man in the Dark

“The Lenoirs are here?” Cherise’s eyebrows shot up like startled sparrows.

With no time to ponder, she followed Syatt like a shadow.

Zooming past the wards, she caught a fleeting glimpse of Lyra, her eyes swollen, emerging from one. Cherise didn’t give it much thought; after all, this girl was overly dramatic, shedding tears over the most trivial things.

Entering Raymond’s ward alongside Syatt, Cherise encountered a bustling corridor.

There was Maeve, slumped on a bench with Charles nervously buzzing around like a concerned bee. And Tristan, head hung low with shoulders slumped, stood nearby. On the opposite side, Damien brooded like a raincloud, surrounded by some of the loyal servants of the Lenoir family.

corner, Wanda, the epitome of nonchalance, tapped away on

uh, I mean, Cherry!” he stammered with a nervous grin. “I’m so

room. With a slow smile, she settled next to Damien, taking his cold hand in hers.

my father.” Tristan’s voice rasped from the shadows, filled with the weight

crazy, asking you for this…after everything.” He said while meeting Cherise’s gaze. His face bore the marks of time

where I’m coming from. Raymond Lenoir is my dad. I know he messed up and deserves some punishment. I promise that once I bring him back to Adania, I’ll uncover all his illegal activities and send him to jail. Just…

brink of collapse. I took charge, kept things running, and never asked for a fancy title or a hefty paycheck. I simply put in the hours, day after day. I might not be an outstanding performer; perhaps I stumbled a bit, but no one can say I didn’t give it my all. I’m ready to keep working

pursed her lips, her eyes shifting to Damien’s somber face. Her mind grappled with the weight