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.

Sebastian was repulsive, while her

version of herself devoid of

entangled with Damien amidst an arranged union resembling a transaction, compounded

by the ceaseless internal

to the enigmatic warmth that radiated from Damien, a familiar and foreign warmth enveloping her in its

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

discerns between love and hatred,” she

after comprehending the depth of those emotions,

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

me, we shall dissolve

unyielding, tightened his grip on her arm. “I

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

transaction and later

has

carrying a steely determination. “I swore an oath never to let you

hold for me?” Cherise challenged,

of yesteryears!” she declared,

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

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

of tense silence, 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 with a

in

in Damien’s eyes, his expression inscrutable as