Chapter 784 Damien’s Secretive Effort


    “Why the sudden silence?” Damien held his phone with a knowing smile, watching the children bicker


    yfully, However, the question was quickly forgotten as a blur of motion dashed toward him.


    His teasing was abruptly interrupted by a whirlwind.


    Cherise, with her arms outstretched like a joyous bird, crashed into his embrace. He effortlessly caught


    her, his strong frame easily absorbing her momentum. So, what’s got you buzzing like a hummingbird


    on sugar water? Something tells me your reunion with Aunt Prisci went well.”


    Cherise nestled in Damien’s arms, findingfort in his familiar scent. “Mm-hmm,” she confirmed, a


    contented sigh escaping her lips.


    “Happy?” he asked.


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    “Very,” she mumbled, her arms tightening around his waist. “But how did you manage all this?”


    A hint of guilt colored his voice as he confessed, “Because I wanted to give you another wedding. Five


    years ago, ours turned into a nightmare. I’ve never forgiven myself for that.”


    He gently traced her arm with his fingers, sending shivers down her spine. “Seeing you n Lyra’s


    wedding with such joy, I realized maybe… maybe we deserved another chance. Not as adversaries,


    but as husband and wife. A chance to clear my father’s name, to set the record straight about your


    mother. A chance to finallyy all these troubles to rest.”


    “And maybe,” he added with a yful wink, “our two little ones could be the flower bearers.”


    He paused, a question lingering in his eyes. “And by the way, I couldn’t help but overhear you asking


    about Lyra’s family the other day…”


    Damien’s voice, filled with amusement, filled the air. So, under the alias of Charisa Neller, I tracked


    down your mom’s lost rtives. And guess who I stumbled upon? The Quinells – Lyra’s own family,


    can you believe it?”


    He yfully pinched her nose, his eyes twinkling. “No wonder you two hit it off all those years ago.


    Naive birds of a feather, always charging into things headfirst.


    Cherise’s lips curved into a yful pout. “Naive? Me?”


    Damien chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “Mm-hmm, hopelessly so.”


    But the teasing banter quickly melted away. “No, you’re the one!” she retorted, burying her face in his


    chest, her voice muffled withughter.


    “You find a woman who needs your help with everything, drives you crazy with worry, and you just grin


    and bear it. Tell me, who’s the naive one?”


    Despite the yful banter, her heart brimmed with gratitude. Damien had been her constant, her


    anchor in the storm. Five years ago, he had guided her to her parents; five yearster, he had gifted


    her Aunt Prisci and cousin Lyra.


    Without him, she shuddered to think where she would be-maybe trapped and vulnerable if she had


    ended up with Isaac.


    “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice raw with emotion, clinging to him tighter.


    Damien’sughter rumbled in his chest. “We’ve settled this, Cherry. Your thanks are unnecessary.”


    With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she surprised Damien by rising on her toes and peppering his lips


    with a kiss.


    Five years apart, the reunion had been bittersweet, a dance around memories and uncertainties.


    But today, surrounded by family and hearing Aunt Prisci’s endless praise for him, her reservations


    melted away.


    He hadn’t changed. Nothing had. He was still the Damien who offered her a slice of the sky, a sturdy


    shelter, and a love that promised forever.


    The kiss, unexpected but wee, caught Damien off guard. Then, a smile bloomed across his face.


    He cupped her head, deepening the kiss, theirughter mingling with the sweet taste of rediscovery.