Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Sean's mind was in turmoil, her soft confession of "I like you" echoing over and over in his head.

He could feel his cheeks burning, the flush spreading all the way to his ears as his eyes darted around the room, unsure where to look.noveldrama

Nervously, his small hands twisted the sheets, while his heart pounded wildly out of control.

Did Claire... fall for him at first sight?

It must be, he thought. Why else would she propose to him?

Claire, watching Sean's bashful expression, couldn't help but burst out laughing. He looked absolutely adorable-so different from the composed, reserved man she'd known in her previous life.

Still giggling, she reached out and gently poked his cheek with her finger.

Sean's blush deepened to a near-crimson, and for a moment, he looked so

flustered he didn't seem to know what to do with himself.

Suddenly, he sprang up from the bed. The abrupt movement startled Claire, who blinked in confusion.

"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head.

Sean's face turned even redder as he mumbled, "I... I'm going to get you something to drink."

Not waiting for her response, he hurried out of the room, practically tripping over his own feet.

Watching Sean's hasty retreat, Claire couldn't hold back her laughter.

Was Mr. Foster always this easy to embarrass as a kid? All she'd done was kiss him and tease him a little. She'd half-expected the same stoic, unflappable look he'd worn in another lifetime.

Arms folded across her chest, Claire's lips curled in an affectionate smile. The younger Mr. Foster was just too cute-could she really resist the urge to spoil him?

She stood and wandered out to the upstairs landing, leaning over the banister to look down into the kitchen.

Sean stood at the counter, his back stiff as a board, clearly preoccupied with whatever he was doing.

Just then, a bedroom door creaked open at the end of the hallway. Out stepped a striking woman, her figure elegant and alluring. She wore a low-cut slip dress that swayed around her long legs with each step.

The woman spotted Claire by the railing and frowned. Since when was there a little girl in the house?

She'd never seen this kid

seen

before—could Sean, that sullen brat,

have brought her home? What a

shock. Sean was usually so cold and distant who would have thought

he'd suddenly drag a four- o five-year-old girl into the mix?

Narrowing her eyes, the woman sauntered toward Claire, her steps silent on the floor in her slippers.

But Claire, whose senses were razor-sharp ever since her second chance at life, heard the footsteps right away. She spun around and found herself face-to-face with the glamorous stranger.

Claire's eyes widened in recognition.

She'd only met this woman once in her previous life, but the memory was unforgettable.

This was none other than Sean's stepmother-Yvonne Smith, notorious for her scandalous outburst at Grandma Foster's birthday party. She'd accused Claire of seducing Sean's father and had struck her across the face.

Later, Sean had taken his revenge. He'd ruined Yvonne's face, knocked out her perfect silver-capped teeth and crushed her hands. What became of Yvonne after she was taken away, Claire never found out but one thing was certain: crossing Sean never ended well.

Right now, Yvonne looked barely thirty, radiating confidence and beauty that rivaled any movie star's It was no wonder she'd managed to lure Sean's father into an affair moving in almost immediately after his wife passed away.

She'd now lived in the Foster house for five years.

She despised Sean, but he'd always been a ruthless child-so she kept her head

down and did her best not to provoke him.