Marrying the Man in the Dark

Jacob emitted a quiet sound of acknowledgment, and his lips pressed together in a tight line as he nodded.

“Fair enough,” Lennon conceded. He took a deep breath, steeling himself before announcing. “I’ll gather my belongings and seek refuge at Lenoir Manor.”

Surprise flickered across Jacob’s features, and Damien interjected, “There’s no vacancy.”

“I’ll crash on the couch,” Lennon retorted, determination lacing his words.

“I’d rather let a stray dog crash on my couch,” Damien countered.

Lennon fell into a tense silence, grappling with the turn of events. Frustration bubbled within him. “D*mn it!” He hurled the pen from his grasp, watching it clatter against the floor. “Damien, are we even friends?” he seethed.

because we’re friends that I can’t let you crash here,” Damien shot back, his brow wrinkling. Lucy’s warning echoed in his mind, her words from her last visit haunting him. “Don’t breathe a word to Lennon that I’ve been here. If you do, I’ll never return, even if Cherise is in a bind next

you can’t confront her here, you can

in. After a beat, Lennon offered a bitter smile on the video call, his voice tinged with desolation. “We love each other. Must I be reduced to

began. She loved you unconditionally, only to be left high and dry in the end. How could you subject her to such

with anguish. “What have I done to her?!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. “That’s not what I intended! I never meant to cause her any

narrowing with skepticism. He adopted a scornful tone. “If you didn’t love her, why stay with her? And if you were with her, why not implement

before Jacob could conclude. “You’re not privy to the whole story, so hold your

mustered a bitter smile and shook his head. “Forget it,” he muttered, resigned. “Just catching a glimpse of her from