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.

and she had to crane her neck to look up at him. From this angle, Sean-small

from today on, I'm your fiancée," Claire declared, her voice soft

this close to him-not even his father, who'd only ever scolded him for being strange and withdrawn.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 him at all. She even wanted to be his

mind it one bit. In fact, her proposal had stirred feelings he'd

never be alone

Almost without thinking, he slipped the pendant from

ring for a moment, handling it with a care that

was all he had left

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

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 mother's keepsake and how

it was a vow—a promise that she was the only one he would

he'd given it to

of emotion surged through Claire, threatening

as she clutched the ring against her chest. "You're