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.

up at him. From this angle,

voice soft and sweet as honey, pure enough to melt

almost as if he were about to burst. Since 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death, no one had ever been this close to him-not even his father, who'd only ever scolded him for being strange and withdrawn.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

fact, her proposal had stirred feelings he'd never experienced before, feelings he'd thought he wasn't

he would never be alone again? Would she truly stay

the pendant from around his neck—a simple silver ring strung on a thin

fingers over the ring for a moment, handling it with a care

all he

letting the ring slide down to rest against her

she recognized the ring, Claire's eyes 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 once told her how much it meant to him, how it had been his

to her now meant everything. In his mind, it was a vow—a promise that she was the only one he would ever want by

this time, he'd given it to

surged through Claire,

she clutched the ring against her chest.