Marrying the Man in the Dark (Damien and Cherise) novel Chapter 1050

Chapter 1050 Steve's Bittersweet Gamble

After those words, he casually glanced at Cherise, a faint hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "You knew about my feelings for her all along, didn't you?"

Cherise's eyes widened in surprise. "I did?"

Steve remained silent, his expression speaking volumes.

The tension in the room thickened as the past unfolded before them.

"You always had a knack for forgetting the important stuff."

He smiled ruefully, "But come on, you remember, right? You were the one pushing me to chase after her, telling me to aim for the stars and apply to her dream college."

"You were the one who told me, 'Even if it's a long shot, just being at her university for four years would be a gift,'" he reminisced with a tender smile.

"I followed your guidance, put my faith in it, and worked tirelessly, shadowing your every move to absorb your class notes. My grades climbed steadily…"

"And when the college entrance exams came around, I achieved my goal and secured admission to her university."

Cherise's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. "But she never made it to campus…"

"Yes."

Steve's sigh resonated with the ache of unrequited love. "She gave up her own dreams to make Trent's come true," he murmured.

"In that fleeting moment, I realized she'd never be mine in this lifetime."

"Still, I feel compelled to show my gratitude," he confessed.

With a heartfelt gaze, gratitude reflecting in his eyes like shimmering stars, he uttered, "Had it not been for you, I wouldn't have earned my place in such a prestigious university, nor would I have become the person I am today."

Cherise waved off his gratitude with a modest smile. "It was all you, Steve. Your hard work and determination paid off," she assured him.

As Cherise's words trailed into the abyss of silence, a heavy weight descended upon the living room, thickening the air like an impenetrable fog, suffocating in its intensity.

After silence, Steve raised the teacup to his lips and took a sip. "Just last month, Savannah's mother was in a car accident. She's in a vegetative state now, and the driver didn't make it," he revealed solemnly.

"Stella reached out to me when Savannah's family couldn't handle her mother's medical bills," Steve explained.

"Of course, I stepped in, covering all the expenses and even securing funds for the next ten years."

"Fortunately, my business has been booming, so while the amount was significant, I could handle it," Steve reassured them.

"Savannah felt guilty, but Stella assured her of my longstanding affection, which persuaded her to accept my proposal," he added, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.

"Hmm."

"I had made peace with letting her go a long time ago," Steve admitted with a bittersweet smile.

"Turns out, I became the butt of the joke," he quipped lightly, masking his pain with humor.

Steve smiled, "I just ended up being the subject of ridicule."

"But believe me, I never meant to ridicule you," he reassured.

Damien gracefully placed his teacup down and reminisced, "Back then, I was like you."

"But," he continued, his gaze tenderly fixed on Cherise, "Cherry and Savannah, they're in a league of their own."

Bewildered, Cherise couldn't grasp why the conversation had suddenly turned to her.

"So Cherry too…" Steve's brow furrowed as he spoke softly, seeking clarification.

"It was for her grandmother," Damien explained simply.

Damien's smile carried a hint of reminiscence. "I've also wondered before, if she had feelings for someone else…"