Marrying the Man in the Dark

As the discussion drew to a close, Lennon prepared to depart when Alexis, clad in the white sportswear provided by Cherise,
hurried downstairs to summon Damien. “Damien, Cherise wants you upstairs!”
Damien arched an eyebrow inquisitively. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“She found a commemorative album and wants to discuss some things from the past with you,” Alexis explained.
Raising an eyebrow, Damien sensed the significance behind Cherise’s mention of the commemorative album.
Damien agreed to go upstairs. “Alright, I’ll head up now,” he said, turning to Lennon with an apologetic nod. “Sorry, I have
something to attend to. I won’t be able to see you off.”
Lennon waved off the apology. “No problem, go ahead.”
As Damien ascended the stairs, Lennon couldn’t help but notice Cherise’s adopted child leaning against the railing and staring at
him intently.
Frowning slightly, Lennon addressed the child. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
Alexis didn’t hesitate to express his disdain for Lennon. “I think you’re ugly,” he declared bluntly.
“Compared to Damien, you’re much uglier.”
The straightforward insult took Lennon aback.
Was this child staying here just to offend him?
The unexpected remark left him speechless and uncertain about how to react.
Glaring fiercely at Alexis, Lennon challenged him, “Do you think I won’t punish you for your insolence?”
Alexis stuck out his tongue defiantly. “Pfft, I bet you won’t dare!”
“I have powerful support now! Damien and Cherise are really amazing!” Alexis boasted confidently.
Lennon remained silent, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
It had been a while since he had been provoked, and he didn’t expect it to come from a child!

Biting his lip, he shot a stern look at Alexis. “They won’t always be around. When I get the chance, I will make you regret your
words!”
Undaunted, Alexis continued to make faces at Lennon while leaning on the railing.
Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Lennon turned away, feeling a mix of frustration and determination.
“This,” Damien began softly, holding the photo album tenderly, “is a collection of memories I’ve gathered for our second wedding
anniversary.”
Seated in the study, Damien cradled Cherise as he slowly recounted the contents of the photo album they held together. Each
page unveiled their memories and cherished moments captured in photographs.
Cherise blinked with innocence and earnestness, her gaze fixed on each image as Damien narrated their significance.
“Is this me in a wedding dress? Is this our wedding?” she exclaimed excitedly when they reached a page featuring her in bridal
attire.
She pointed at herself in the dress and remarked, “I looked so beautiful back then!”
Damien followed her gesture, his eyes lingering on the photo.
The image captured Cherise trying on her wedding dress before their rescheduled ceremony.
Regrettably, the chaos of the event, marred by bloodshed, prevented them from taking a harmonious photo together.
Hence, Damien could only include this picture of her in the album.
With a faint smile, Damien affirmed, “You were indeed stunning.”
“Can you tell me about our wedding? What was it like?”
Eager for more, Cherise nestled closer to him, her anticipation palpable.
Squeezing her gently, Damien’s smile softened. “I’ll share the details with you slowly in the future when I have time.”
He kissed her forehead tenderly. “I promise I’ll give you the complete wedding experience once your memory is restored.”

Confusion clouded Cherise’s expression. “What do you mean? Was our previous wedding incomplete?”
“Yes,” Damien smiled tenderly. “I’ll explain everything to you in the future. If I told you too much right now, it might be
overwhelming for you to comprehend.”
“Oh.”
Disappointed by the revelation, Cherise’s pout betrayed her dashed expectations.
Damien embraced her tenderly, flipping through the album once more.
“Let me tell you the story behind this page,” he offered, his voice gentle as he recounted another cherished memory.