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.

the old man intend to release you?” he inquired

Yolanda replied with resignation.

well,” Sebastian conceded.

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

her voice tinged

home precisely,” Sebastian affirmed without

in alarm. “Sebastian, are you truly considering this? They hold such animosity toward you. Venturing there seems like

Sebastian retorted with a hint of icy amusement, “do you truly believe they’d dare to murder me within the confines

her

callous act, firing a bullet into Sebastian’s leg at the bar under the Weiss

was Sebastian, willingly putting himself in harm’s way by personally confronting Damien at his own residence. What if Damien’s rage once again

her, and she hesitated. “Could I… perhaps opt out of this?”

cold stare pierced through her hesitation. Nothing untoward will occur. Don’t succumb

paused, a wry smile on his lips as he regarded Yolanda. “Furthermore,” he continued, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue, “don’t you wish to see Damien, the man you once admired, within the

was rendered speechless.

truth, her fascination with Damien had waned

to dine on a swan’s flesh, had prompted

her attraction to Damien had been manipulated by Gwenn and Sebastian