Marrying the Man in the Dark

The man shook his head in mild bemusement, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It’s not particularly urgent.”

Cherise’s response was quick and relentless. “Still, let’s give it a listen. What if it’s truly significant?”

“Mr. Whitlock emphasized its importance when he contacted me…”

Unable to dissuade her, Damien closed the bedroom door with a resigned sigh, then proceeded to remove his coat before reclining on the bed, drawing Cherise close into his embrace.

“How about this: we listen together, and afterward, you can get some rest?”

Cherise nodded in agreement, her lips slightly pursed. “Alright.”

As Damien inhaled the scent of her hair, he pressed play on the voice recorder—

The night enveloped them in quietude as they lay intertwined.

Cherise’s expression oscillated between shock and embarrassment, while Damien’s eyes held a hint of amusement.

The room was filled with the voices emanating from the recorder.

“Your husband isn’t aware of our rendezvous, correct?”

“No, he’s oblivious, and he’ll remain so… Does your wife suspect anything?”

“That old hag, ugh!”

my love,

“Embrace me…”

herself speechless.

the significance of the recording when entrusting it

listening to the clandestine affair of unfamiliar voices.

and the content becoming

the woman’s

beneath the covers, the sounds persisted, relentlessly assaulting her ears.

beneath the blanket. “Um… dear, perhaps you should turn it off.”

eyebrow, sensing her embarrassment, and decided to tease her a bit. “But isn’t this what you wanted

he lifted the blanket. “Shall we listen

voice her frustration about Mr. Whitlock. “I thought… I thought Mr. Whitlock, being

everything he said… but

subject her to

about listening to this?

How mortifying!

meant no harm,

hint of amusement. “Didn’t you mention he specifically instructed

silently. “He did.”

“Mm.”