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 lightly brushed her neck, making her cheeks

ever so slightly and deliberately leaned in closer, his warm

ticklish sensation made her shiver

observed her reaction and

it doesn't," Claire replied, her gaze darting away, feeling like she

gentle, just hang in there.

the ointment, Claire thought

to her surprise, he

Claire had never been

and Grandma had been so good to her; if she ever had the chance,

she was startled when Sean gently pushed her back

"Mr. Foster... this isn't quite right, I—I'm not

What do you

turned crimson, and she

Rest up, and we'll head back

to do, but judging by his demeanor in the

Mr. Foster," Claire

a large hand

comforting presence, Claire

remained by her side, watching her peaceful slumber, the smile on his face vanishing

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

was as oppressive as the calm

fear, speculating about how Sean might handle the

fear