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

entertained the notion that the version of herself devoid

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

ceaseless internal

that radiated from Damien, a familiar and foreign warmth enveloping her

she confessed, her voice tinged with a

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

of those emotions, I cannot remain

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

we shall dissolve

his grip on her arm. “I refuse,” he declared

right do you oppose my

may have begun as a transaction and later entangled with my mother’s life.”

has long been closed.”

steely determination. “I swore an oath never to let you slip away from me in this

hold for me?” Cherise challenged, her

no longer the Cherise of yesteryears!” she declared, her words brimming with a newfound sense of self.

relinquish all for love! I possess reason and intellect,”

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

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

her lips, nodding in affirmation. “Yes,

in Damien’s eyes, his expression inscrutable as he