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.

instinctual response to Sebastian was repulsive, while her innate

the version of

she struggled to reconcile how the former Cherise could have been entangled with Damien amidst an arranged union resembling a transaction, compounded by

internal

Damien, a familiar and foreign warmth enveloping

she confessed,

aspire to embody a clarity that discerns between love and hatred,” she continued, her words trailing like delicate whispers

after comprehending the depth of those

a deep sigh. “Let us part ways, Damien,” she murmured, her words weighted with finality.

shall dissolve our union,” she implored.

on her arm. “I refuse,” he

she reopened her eyes. “By what right do you oppose my decision?” she questioned, her tone laced with a

transaction

has

narrowed, his voice carrying a steely determination. “I swore an oath never to let you slip away from me in this lifetime,” he asserted, his words echoing

relevance does your vow hold for me?”

yesteryears!” she declared, her

to be the woman who would relinquish all for love! I possess reason and intellect,” she asserted boldly, her conviction unwavering.

furrow formed on Damien’s brow as he regarded her with an intensity

faint smirk played on his lips. “Are you suggesting that the former Cherise was a woman governed solely by her emotions, devoid of reason and intellect?” he inquired, his voice laced with a

nodding in affirmation.

eyes, his expression inscrutable as he considered her re