Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 441

Claire couldn't help but smile at Sean's awkward yet endearing expression; it felt as if a feather had brushed across her heart-ticklish and sweet all at once.

She remained kneeling on one knee, gazing up at him. The hope shining in her eyes was like a beam of light, piercing straight into Sean's chest.

For a moment, time itself seemed to hold its breath.

Just a minute ago, York and Zachary had been clamoring to play house with Claire. Now, both boys stood frozen, wide-eyed and dumbstruck.

Sean finally snapped out of his shock, meeting Claire's unwavering gaze. His heart gave a strange flutter. "I... I do," he managed.

Instantly, Claire's big eyes sparkled with a joy and contentment she'd never known before. Her smile bloomed-genuine, radiant, and brighter than a summer sun. In that moment, she felt happier than in both her lives combined.

She reached out her chubby little hand to Sean.

Blushing furiously, Sean took her hand in his and gently helped her to her feet.

she had to crane her neck to look up at him. From this angle, Sean-small as he still was—seemed flawless, handsome in a way that was both boyish

voice soft and sweet as

his mother's death, no one had ever been this close to him-not even his father, who'd only ever scolded him for being strange and withdrawn. Yet this little girl, whom he'd only just met, wasn't afraid of

mind it one bit. In fact, her proposal had stirred

would never be alone again? Would she truly stay by his side,

caught in her innocent gaze. Almost without thinking, he slipped the pendant from around his neck—a simple silver ring strung on a thin red

a moment,

to his mother and was all he had

placed the cord over Claire's head, letting the ring slide down to

widened in shock. She knew it all too well-from her previous life, when Sean had worn it on his pinky as a promise ring, and later slipped it onto her finger himself. His grandmother had

In his mind, it was a vow—a promise that she was the only

it to her eighteen

Claire,

clutched the ring against her chest. "You're giving this to