Marrying the Man in the Dark

“When you went to the countryside with your classmates…” Damien began; his voice was soft and gentle.

“The two with you: This is Lucy and Mandy.”

“I know Lucy, but who is Mandy?” Cherise inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“She is also one of your closest friends…” Damien explained.

Within the halls of Adania Hospital, Sebastian lay upon the sterile sheets of his hospital bed, his expression etched with concern. “What’s that you’re telling me? Alexis has vanished?” His voice held a note of urgency.

Yolanda, standing by his bedside, pressed her lips together in a tight line, her gaze dropping to the floor before she softly confirmed, “Yes, he’s gone.”

“I had a disagreement with Cherise in the auditorium She stormed off afterward. When Mrs. Lydia escorted me to locate Alexis, he was nowhere to be found.”

.

“I instructed Mrs. Lydia to review the surveillance footage, but the person who took Alexis remained elusive. All we discerned was a figure clad in navy attire…”

Yolanda cast a pained glance toward Sebastian, her voice conveying remorse. “Truly, it wasn’t my doing. I never imagined someone would dare to venture to the orphanage and snatch away a defenseless child.”

“Heh, but he’s no ordinary orphan,” Sebastian interjected, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

when does the old man intend to release you?” he inquired

replied with resignation.

well,” Sebastian conceded.

in the steely glint of his eyes. “Join me this afternoon at

Yolanda echoed, her

Cherise’s home precisely,” Sebastian

truly considering this? They

hint of icy amusement, “do you truly believe they’d

as her gaze flickered to Sebastian’s tightly bandaged

memory of Damien’s callous act, firing a bullet into Sebastian’s leg at the bar under the Weiss Group, lingered

personally confronting Damien at his own residence. What if Damien’s rage once again spiraled out of control,

she hesitated. “Could I… perhaps opt

stare pierced through her hesitation. Nothing untoward will occur. Don’t succumb to fear so easily.”

his lips as he regarded Yolanda. “Furthermore,” he continued, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue, “don’t you wish to

was rendered speechless.

her fascination with Damien

aspiring to dine on

her attraction to Damien had