Marrying the Man in the Dark

Damien drew a deep breath and spoke with conviction. “With the exception of a few jests, I’ve always been truthful with you,
Cherise.”
His dark eyes met hers firmly, his expression unwavering. “I’ve never deceived you, not in the the present.
He continued, gentle yet resolute. “Earlier, when you questioned me, I could have easily dismissed Sebastian’s claims as
fabrications to earn your trust. With your trust in me, with the feelings you hold for me, you would believe me, wouldn’t you?”
Cherise tensed visibly, grappling with conflicting emotions.
Yes...
She would have readily believed him if Damien had qutright denied Sebastian’s accusations.
But he didn’t.
Damien drew a deep breath, his steps deliberate as he approached Cherise, his voice gentle. “Cherise, please consider this
carefully.”
“Every time you’ve sought answers about your past, I’ve promised to disclose everything gradually once the timing was right.”
“I’ve never lied to you.”
The way I’ve treated you, I’ve simply chosen not to reveal certain things rather than actively deceiving you.
Cherise’s lips tightened, her hands slowly unclenching
Despite this, she instinctively retreated, creating a considerable distance between herself and
“Excessive secrecy,” Sebastian remarked nonchalantly from his wheelchair positioned behind be more detrimental than
deception.”
Perhaps Cherise and Damien’s responses didn’t align with his anticipations, prompting the man his trump card directly.
With a signal, the individual behind him presented evidence of Charisa’s demise and a photo depict Maeve stabbing Charisa at
Cherise and Damien’s wedding.

“Cherise,” Sebastian’s tone was firm, his words laden with implication. “Had I not revealed the truth today, he would have
perpetually obscured it from you. Can you condone such secrecy?”
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “Your mother’s life, the injustices she faced, and the marriage treated as a
mere transaction-all hidden from you. Don’t you see? If he had kept all of this from you, you would have willingly spent your life
with him.”
At this moment, Damien and Sebastian found themselves at opposite ends of the library hall, their presence commanding
attention.
Cherise stood between them, a pivotal figure caught in the tension between two opposing forces.
Despite the disbelief etched across her countenance, her body subtly gravitated towards Sebastian.
Damien’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a subtle indication of the turmoil within.
The body’s instinctive reactions are often telling and cannot deceive those attuned to them.
Despite Cherise’s current hesitation to distance herself from him, there lies a logical belief in Sebastian’s words within her.
As for delving into the complexities of their shared past, Damien found himself at a loss, unsure of where to even begin
unraveling the intricacies of their history.
The man could only close his eyes momentarily, collecting his thoughts before addressing Cherise.
“Cherise,” he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of remorse and sincerity.
“Throughout our journey together, whether I treated you with kindness or failed you, you should understand by now.” He paused
his words carrying a weight of emotion.
“I hold you in the highest esteem, cherishing your presence and valuing you deeply. For quite some time, I’ve regarded you as
someone I want to share a lifetime with.”
Sebastian sneered contemptuously, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “How delightful,” he remarked derisively.
“I’ll concede, your affection for her is genuine, and I trust you wouldn’t intentionally harm her.” He paused, his expression
hardening.

“But is it your genuine feelings that drive you to desire her to forget all the anguish, to 1 amnesiac and spend her life with you?”
“Damien,” Sebastian continued, unfazed by the venom in Damien’s glare, “Your love seems rather self- centered, doesn’t it?”
Damien’s icy gaze bore into Sebastian, silencing him with a sharp retort. “Enough!”
Sebastian was momentarily caught off guard, his composure shaken by the intensity of Damien’s hateful glare.
But the moment of vulnerability swiftly passed.
After that, with a placid smile, he persisted, reminding Damien of the weight of their shared past. “If I hadn’t spoken up, could you
truly move beyond the shadows that linger from your history?”
Damien’s response was swift and cutting, his words laden with regret. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have merely crippled your legs
previously.” unravel, but this isn’t the time nor place for me to explain properly.”