Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 202

But as soon as Sean imagined what Brian might have done to her in that room, the thought made those slightly flushed lips of hers hard to ignore.

He frowned slightly, but it was fleeting. The emotion that had slipped out was quickly reined back in.

"Come here," he commanded, his voice deeper than usual.

Claire felt a twinge of nervousness, but she couldn't bring herself to resist. So, obediently, she walked over and sat quietly on the bed.

Sean dipped a cotton swab into the ointment, ready to apply it. However, he was momentarily distracted by the delicate fragrance wafting from her.

For a moment, his fingertips hovered above Claire's swollen cheekbone, hesitating to touch down.

The steam from her recent shower still clung to her eyelashes, crystallizing into tiny droplets that shimmered with her uneasy tremble.

"Mr. Foster, is something wrong?" Claire asked, surprised.

"It might sting a little," he said, his voice rough and low, his Adam's apple moving

in the shadows. "Try to bear with it."

He leaned in closer to Claire's face.

The ointment was cool against her skin, not as painful as she had feared.

His expression was intensely focused, his handsome face so close that Claire could see every detail.

Her heart raced suddenly, and she nervously clutched the edge of her robe, her eyes fixed on Sean's prominent nose, afraid to move.

of tobacco lingered at her nose, and his warm breath

ever so slightly and deliberately leaned in

sensation made her shiver

her reaction and looked up, "Does it

gaze darting away, feeling like she

hang in there. It'll be over

finishing with the ointment, Claire

he even helped dry her

twenty-three, Claire had never been cared for so

her; if she ever had the chance, she promised herself she would repay them with

she was startled when Sean gently pushed her

eyes widened, "Mr. Foster... this isn't quite right,

"Hmm? What do you need to be ready

face turned crimson, and she quickly turned

softly, "It's still early. Rest up, and

Sean intended to do, but judging by his demeanor in the ballroom earlier, it

Mr. Foster," Claire

large hand over her

Sean's comforting presence, Claire gradually drifted

her peaceful slumber,

the ballroom, the guests spent a grueling three hours steeped in fear and

oppressive as the

uncertainty and fear, speculating about how

passed, fear turned