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

the notion that the version of herself devoid of memories held

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

wearied by the ceaseless internal conflict, she yearned for

the enigmatic warmth that radiated from Damien, a familiar and

she confessed, her voice tinged with a newfound resolve.

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

comprehending the depth of those emotions, I cannot

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

shall dissolve our union,” she implored.

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

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

begun as a transaction and later entangled with my

that chapter has long

to let you slip away from me in this lifetime,” he asserted, his words echoing with an unyielding

your vow hold for me?” Cherise challenged, her voice tinged with defiance.

no longer the Cherise of yesteryears!” she declared, her words brimming with

love! I possess reason and intellect,” she asserted

regarded her with

a 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

nodding in affirmation. “Yes,

in Damien’s eyes, his expression