Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 221

Sean turned slowly, his gaze gentle as it settled on Claire. The amber glow from the bedside lamp cast warm shadows on his chiseled jawline, and his Adam's apple moved subtly as he whispered, "Get some sleep."

Claire, nestled under the down comforter, shivered slightly, a translucent blush spreading across her cheeks in the soft light. Her fingers, gripping the edge of the blanket, turned pale, but her eyes clung to Sean's retreating figure like vines.

"Mr. Foster..." Claire suddenly called out.

Sean paused and turned, the shadows in the hallway slicing across half his face. His loosely buttoned shirt revealed a glimpse of his collarbone, its cool sheen like a hidden jewel in the dim light.

"What is it?"

The air, once fragrant and fluid, seemed to suspend around them. Claire watched him, feeling an inexplicable allure.

After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Why are you so kind to me?"

This question had lingered in her heart for a long time, and she finally couldn't hold it in any longer.

Sean was momentarily taken aback, but then a faint smile curved his lips.

He walked back to the bed, sat beside her, and the mattress dipped gently, causing Claire to hold her breath.

He murmured something in French, his voice like the low hum of a cello. "Parce que je veux t'épouser."

The words were like a melody, brushing softly past her ears.

lips move in

bitterness in her throat, not understanding

to smile gently,

noticed the fleeting tension on

beneath her eyes,

understood-he was asking if she would agree. But what had he

seemed her lip-reading skills needed

hadn't discovered her

already troubled Mr. Foster and Grandma too much and didn't want to

she didn't know what he had said, she trusted that Mr. Foster

quickly

clap of thunder illuminated the night,

As innocent as a

"Because I want to marry

not,

proposal was a

realization put Sean in an excellent

turned off the light, enveloping the room in a cozy

to be met by three pairs of eager eyes in the living

grinned from ear to ear. "Sean,

"She's asleep."

you two do