Marrying the Man in the Dark

After pronouncing those words, he firmly clasped Cherise’s shoulders, guiding her into the car with purpose, and followed suit, enveloping her in his embrace as they settled inside the vehicle.

Throughout the journey, Cherise hurled curses at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface like a tempestuous sea.

Her ire stemmed from Damien’s confining of her freedom and his inexplicable failure to offer an explanation.

Why, she pondered, did he not clarify if he was facing difficulties?

Why did he remain silent if the situation did not align with Sebastian’s depiction?

Given her current feeling explanation he provided.

him, he should have known that she would unquestionably believe any

Yet, he uttered not a single word of clarification.

Did he truly lack an explanation, or did he feel absolved of the obligation to offer one?

What, she questioned, did he perceive her as?

An object?

A pet?

Or perhaps merely a plaything devoid of memories, past, or the capacity for independent thought?

In truth, she harbored doubt regarding Sebastian’s assertions concerning their relationship.

repulsive, while her innate connection lay with Damien.

notion that the version of herself devoid

former Cherise could have been entangled with Damien amidst an arranged union resembling a transaction, compounded by her parents’

the ceaseless internal conflict, she yearned for

from Damien, a

you once knew,” she confessed, her voice tinged with a

that discerns between love and hatred,” she continued, her words trailing like delicate whispers in the still air.

of those emotions,

depths of her being, she exhaled a deep sigh. “Let us part ways, Damien,” she murmured,

me, we shall dissolve our

and unyielding, tightened his grip on her arm. “I refuse,” he declared firmly.

his unwavering gaze as she reopened her eyes. “By what right do you oppose my decision?” she questioned, her tone laced with a hint of defiance

a transaction and later entangled with my mother’s

has long been

oath never to let you slip away from me in this lifetime,” he asserted, his words echoing with an unyielding resolve.

hold for me?” Cherise challenged, her

she declared, her words brimming

for love! I possess reason

brow as he regarded her with an intensity

Cherise was a woman governed solely by her emotions, devoid of reason and intellect?” he inquired, his voice laced with

her lips, nodding in affirmation. “Yes, she admitted.

dangerous glint flickered in Damien’s eyes, his expression inscrutable as he considered