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.

while her innate connection lay

that the version of herself devoid of memories held affection. for

the former Cherise could have been entangled with Damien

the ceaseless internal conflict, she

a familiar and foreign warmth enveloping her in its embrace.

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

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

I cannot… after comprehending the depth of those emotions, I cannot remain by

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

we shall dissolve our union,”

his grip on her arm. “I refuse,” he

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

begun as a transaction and later entangled with my mother’s

has long been

oath never to let you slip away

vow hold for me?” Cherise challenged, her voice tinged

declared,

for love! I possess reason and intellect,”

on Damien’s brow as he regarded her with

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

pursed her lips, nodding in affirmation. “Yes,

in Damien’s eyes, his