Marrying the Man in the Dark

Lucy exhaled a smoke ring. “I want to experiment and see if there are still remnants of your memories lingering within you even
when experiencing amnesia. By starting from these fragments, perhaps you. can expedite the process of recovering your
memory.
“Pay no heed to those voices outside insinuating that Damien doesn’t wish for your memory to return,” the woman stared at
Cherise intently. “Truth be told, Damien is yearning most fervently for your memory to be restored.”
Cherise pressed her lips together, sensing a warmth in certain recesses of her heart. She managed to muster a wry smile. “Is
that so?” In her mind echoed Damien’s chilling words from the previous day when he had instructed her to regard him as an
adversary. She pursed her lips once more. “I haven’t noticed.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Lucy sneered. “Your animosity towards him blinds you, so naturally, you can’t perceive it.” Rising from
her seat, Lucy unlatched the window, inviting in the crisp autumn breeze. “I can empathize with Damien. It’s not that he doesn’t
want you to regain your memories. He simply wishes to approach it with greater sensitivity.”
Cherise regarded Lucy with a puzzled expression. Lucy closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of the wind caressing her skin.
“Because many memories from your past may inflict pain upon you,” she elaborated. “Look at what’s happening now. The last
time we spoke on the phone, you were blissfully unaware of what had happened with your mother or the circumstances
surrounding your marriage to Damien.
“But look at you now,” Lucy continued, retrieving a mirror and presenting it to Cherise. “Take a good look at yourself. Since
waking up this morning, you haven’t washed your face or brushed your teeth. You look exhausted, as though you have a lot on
your mind. Aren’t you constantly grappling with inner turmoil, questioning why things unfolded this way?”
Cherise scrutinized her reflection in the mirror, her lips forming a tight line. Lucy’s remarks rang true. The figure staring back at
her bore little resemblance to the Cherise of yesterday. Just twenty-four hours prior, she could have easily donned overalls and
styled her hair into pigtails, accompanying Blake to the library to catch a glimpse of the girl he admired.
But now... The image in the mirror seemed to embody years of weariness and uncertainty. With a resigned sigh, she pushed the
mirror aside. She rose to attend to her morning routine, resolving to brush her teeth, cleanse her face, and apply moisturizer in
the bathroom.
“That’s more like it,” Lucy remarked, leaning casually against the bathroom door, observing Cherise’s actions. “You’re aging. A
twenty-five-year-old woman still needs to prioritize self-care.” She paused. allowing her words to sink in. “Now, do you grasp why
Damien has always sought to tenderly guide your memory recovery?”

“Transitioning from a carefree state to embracing reality is indeed a journey,” Lucy affirmed. “However, Sebastian circumvented
this process by divulging the truth prematurely, disregarding your emotional well-being. His aim? Simply to drive a wedge
between you and Damien. Someone who genuinely cares for you wouldn’t exploit your most painful memories to manipulate
you.”
Cherise’s hand faltered momentarily as she applied moisturizer. After a contemplative pause, she lifted uttered those words
yesterday?”
“Yes. You might not be aware, but Damien has a personal physician named Jacob Caldwell,” Lucy revealed gently. “Since the
day of your accident, Damien swiftly dispatched him overseas to confer with specialists and devise a strategy aimed at
facilitating your memory recovery.”
Cherise’s lips formed a tight line. “But no one ever informed me,” she murmured, realization dawning upon her.
“Those who genuinely prioritize your well-being often work silently behind the scenes without seeking recognition, Lucy
explained. “Only those driven solely by self-interest will eagerly step forward to claim credit. With that, Lucy extinguished her
cigarette and settled back onto the edge of the bed. “Your task now is to look through these books.”