Marrying the Man in the Dark

Chapter 1051 A Mystery Call

Cherise's eyes widened as she asked, "If I had feelings for someone else back then, would you have letgo?"

Damien's voice was firm as he replied, "Il wouldn't have allowed anyone to cbetween us. I would have ensured that person

regretted ever stepping into your life, and I would have done whatever it took to keep you by my side."

Cherise's silence spoke volumes as she processed Damien's words.

"Your confidence is truly admirable," Damien acknowledged.

Cherise couldn't grasp Damien's intentions, but Steve understood them effortlessly.

"You've got the confidence, the charm, the belief that Cherise wouldn't look twice at anyone else," he said, a wry smile playing on

his lips as he lowered his head. "But me? I'm cut from a different cloth."

"Winning her heart with my appearance alone? That's nothing but a pipe dream," Steve confessed, his tone tinged with self-doubt

as he glanced down at the coffee table.

"Why do you say that?" Cherise retorted, frustration evident in her voice as she slammed her hand on the coffee table.

"Your love for her surpasses Trent's, despite your unconventional looks," Cherise remarked, her tone gentle yet firm.

Steve was visibly surprised, meeting Cherise's gaze with uncertainty. "Is that really how you see it?"

"Do I love her more than Trent?" Steve asked, seeking validation.

"Absolutely," Cherise affirmed, her conviction unwavering.

Gritting her teeth, she continued, "You think Trent's a better match for her, but have you ever stopped to think?"

you were in Savannah's shoes, financially challenged, would you expect her to sacrifice her education and

through school?"

for a beat. "I'd let go of my own ambitions," he

you

lips, reassuring, "You don't need to doubt yourself; you're just

"Words won't change anything at this point," he murmured, setting down his cup with a

on from her might take

"Even if you can't forget, it's okay. I've learned to accept

"You've made the journey back to Shawbury;

to handle," he

on and take care of your business," he added, his demeanor gracious

"You're still the same, always there

his voice.

of trouble, your unwavering support never falters," he

pursed in quiet determination. "It's the

her head against the cool glass of

her high school

materialize, leaving her grasping at the fleeting remnants

felt as though her memories were imprisoned behind a locked door. She stood before it, searching for the key that would

access to the

gentle advice, a beacon of

at the hotel, Damien gracefully opened the car door and

hadn't been lost," he began, his voice gentle yet firm, "the

control."

continued, "The issues between Steve and Savannah are theirs to resolve; we

into Damien's comforting embrace. "What other options do we have?" she sighed, her voice tinged with

gaze softened. "Steve's in a difficult

agreed softly, her heart heavy with empathy for their friend's

to find common

added to Cherise's growing sense

the hotel, Damien left promptly after receiving a call