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 ims 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 usations.


    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 nonchntly 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 wordsden 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


    presencemanding 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 theplexities 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?”


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “Damien,” Sebastian continued, unfazed by the venom in Damien’s re, “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, hisposure shaken by the intensity of Damien’s


    hateful re.


    But the moment of vulnerability swiftly passed.


    After that, with a cid 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 wordsden with regret. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have merely


    crippled your legs previously.” unravel, but this isn’t the time nor ce for me to exin properly.”