told me the woman
Chapter 10
Dummen knew Bernice meant well. He also understood that his love story with Giselle had ended long ago–ever since he’d impulsively married Clara on their wedding day in a burst of anger,
For the past three years, he’d tried to move on and build a life with Clara, but after loving Giselle for 18 years, she wasn’t someone he could just push out of his heart overnight
He gave in when she returned to the country and wouldn’t let go of him. They might never be lovers again, but the friendship was still there.
Damon held onto that thought and kept going back to her. The truth was, every time she broke down crying and swore she still loved him, it got to him. But in the end, those feelings never lasted. They were like ripples on a lake stirred by a passing breeze, gone almost as soon as they appeared. Damon would always remind himself that Clara was his wife whenever he was about to give in. Over and over, he felt trapped in a fog. He was unable to find a way out.
But after hearing Bernice’s words, it was like a light bulb went off. He started to make sense of things, little by little.
Thinking back at how Clara had watched him leave that morning in the snow, he felt a warmth spread through his chest.
He nodded to Bernice. His voice was steady and sincere. “Thank you for telling me all this. I get it now.”
After leaving the hospital, Damon headed to Croft Manor.
His mother, Helena Perkins, called him into the study. Her tone was unusually serious. “When you first got married, I didn’t think Clara’s family background was good enough for you, so I had doubts about her.
But over these past three years, seeing how much she cares about you, how well she runs the household, and how thoughtful she is toward us, I’ve slowly let go of those reservations.
“You’re not that young anymore. I don’t want to keep repeating myself–what’s in the past should stay in the past. You made a good choice picking such a great wife. It’s time to settle down and live the right way.
“Marriage isn’t like falling in love. It’s about patience and taking care of each other. You and Clara didn’t know each other well before the marriage, and you were both so young. You’ve got to talk things out before small issues snowball into something bigger. Got it?”
Damon hadn’t expected Helena–who was usually so reserved to open up and give him marriage advice. But he knew she was right.
Lowering his head respectfully, he said, “You’re right. I know what I need to do.”
Helena nodded, looking relieved, then took out a box and slid it across the table. “These are the bracelets your grandma gave me when I got married. Give them to Clara. The day after tomorrow is your dad’s birthday. Make sure you bring her home so we can all have dinner together.”
Damon opened the box. Inside was a pair of emerald bracelets, and for a moment, he drifted into thought. Suddenly, he was back at that wedding three. years ago the one that had turned into a spectacle.
After Giselle announced over the phone that the ceremony was off, the relatives and friends of the Croft and Sutton families turned cold and left without a word
Damon had stood alone in the center of the stage, completely hollowed out. He had been gripping the microphone as he let out everything he’d been bottling up. To this day, he had no idea what he even said.
It wasn’t until Clara stepped forward–after a few of his friends had ushered her backstage and brought her back out–that he snapped out of it. The Wedding March began to play. She had changed into a slightly oversized wedding dress and walked toward him, one steady step at a time. Together, Clara and Damon stood under
or the scrutiny of a thousand watch Maybe it was her unwavering resolve that got to him, but at that moment, the heart he thought had gone numb began to stir again. It was filled with a reckless kind of courage.
eyes, without a hint of hesitation or fear
Damon still didn’t even know the bride’s name, but he had already made up his mind- for the rest of his life.
He wouldn’t let down the one who had reached for him in the darkest hour of his life.
-no matter what, he’d treasure the woman now wearing his ring
