Marrying the Man in the Dark

“And... I want to extend my apologies to you...” Cherise paused, drawing in a deep breath as she regarded Damien earnestly.
“After careful consideration, I realize you may have had valid reasons for your previous actions. I can’t remember what happened
in the past, but I can sense your genuine kindness toward me-it emanates from your heart.”
“Hence...” She hesitated, feeling somewhat awkward and timid as she tiptoed shyly, gently kissing his chin. “So, I’m prepared to
allow you to assist me in recovering my memories and uncovering the truth about our past. If my memories indeed paint you in a
negative light, I’ll have no choice but to leave you.”
“But if you had legitimate motives...” She sniffled as if reaffirming her decision. “Then I’ll owe you an apology and agree to one
request from you!”
Raising his brows. Damien felt a wave of relief wash over him, dissipating the worry that had been. gnawing at his heart. With a
helpless shake of his head, he reached out and affectionately pinched Cherise’s cheek. Then you’d better brace yourself to
welcome our third child.”
Our third child? Cherise’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean?”
You would have had to agree to one of my requests sooner or later.” Damien explained with a teasing glint, and I’m requesting
you to... He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. To give me a third child.
Cherise’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant. She swiftly pushed Damien away. “You... you....
“You silly girl.” Damien chuckled, pulling Cherise into a tight embrace. “You scared me there.” He admitted that he had nearly let
her slip away because he had mistakenly assumed he was the cause of her tears. He thought she was upset at being
imprisoned by him. In truth, he couldn’t bear to see her cry. Each tear felt like a stab to his heart, leaving him with a sense of
profound guilt.
“Darling,” Cherise murmured, nestled in the warmth of his embrace, “may I make a bold request?”
Damien arched his brows. “Of course, he replied, open to her request.
The woman tentatively traced circles on Damien’s chest with her fingers. “Can I... ask you to sleep with me every night from now
on?” Since Damien encountered Sebastian in the library, he had made a conscious decision to spend each night in the study.
This left Cherise alone in their bedroom, sleeping by herself and waking up to an empty space. The solitude weighed heavily on
her.

The reason for her emotional state this morning and her immediate search for Damien upon waking stemmed from her inability
to reconcile the intimacy she had experienced with him in her dreams and his absence when she woke up.
After Cherise finished speaking, she sensed Damien’s body stiffen slightly beneath her touch. “Actually, if you’re busy, it’s fine... I
just don’t want... to wake up alone in the bedroom every morning,” she clarified softly. Assuming he was upset, she pouted and
added, “I feel incredibly lonely without you...”
Damien pursed his lips, feeling somewhat bewildered by Cherise’s helpless and distressed voice. “So...” he began, instinctively
enfolding her tightly in his arms. “Was this the reason for your tears?”
Cherise nodded heavily, her head bowed low, “It’s... embarrassing and melodramatic,” she admitted, her voice barely above a
whisper. “I don’t know why... Maybe because I’ve grown accustomed to you holding me every night... Suddenly, being without
you feels incredibly difficult...”
“Then perhaps you won’t have to get used to being in bed without me, Damien mused, releasing a long breath as relief washed
over him. “I promise I’ll always be there to accompany you to sleep, no matter what challenges we face in the future.”