Marrying the Man in the Dark

Cherise observed Ian’s smug portrait from her vantage point across the screen. She subtly tightened her grip on the microphone as she listened to his haughty tone. She asserted confidently, “I’m pretty sure Cherise won’t buy into your story.”

“Why not?” Ian retorted. “You don’t know that country bumpkin well enough,” he chuckled. “Back in high school, she was always buried in her books while the rest of us slacked off. Thus, she was constantly ostracized by others. Whenever I showed her the slightest attention or gifted her anything, she’d be so moved that she practically fell in love with me on the spot.”

“Damien, I acknowledge that you facilitated my release from the mental hospital, apologized, and even provided financial support. From your perspective, that’s a monumental gesture. But let’s not overlook the fact that it was your actions that landed me in the mental hospital in the first place, shaping me into who I am today!”

Cherise’s heart raced at Ian’s revelation. Damien was the reason Ian ended up in the mental hospital? She pressed her lips together. “Is that so? I almost forgot if you hadn’t brought it up. Were you admitted. because of me?”

“Obviously! You saw fit to confine me to a mental hospital for the past six years because of that minor incident. And your sister even shattered both my legs back then. If it weren’t for my resilience, I’d be a cripple by now!”

you comprehend the magnitude of your actions?” Cherise gripped the voice-altering microphone tightly. “If it were merely trivial, I wouldn’t have resorted

concede!” Ian’s jaw clenched. “It was my fault for spreading rumors about Cherise being pregnant with Lennon’s child, and I was also wrong to drug her and terminate

uttering those words, lan seemed to wrestle with guilt, seemingly realizing he was wrong. “Regardless of my past rights and wrongs, you need

done so much, an extra three million and a house should be like spare change to you…” On the other side of the screen, lan grew more excited, oblivious to “Damien’s” prolonged silence.

spilled the beans, she wouldn’t have fathomed what had transpired back then… The high school senior she had once revered deeply was actually such scum… At this moment, she was both furious

child, Damien must have harbored such hatred for him. Flow could Damien have

only remember lan and recall memories related to him, Damien had swallowed his bitterness. Not only did Damien release lan… but Damien was also willing to provide with financial assistance and even extended an apology… seized a pair of scissors at her side, and strode forth resolutely to