NovelEnglishChapter 496 Brian snapped back to reality and realized his arm was still wrapped around Claire's slender waist, holding her so close she was practically pressed against him.
Her waist was delicate, almost fragile, and she smelled faintly of shampoo and something clean and fresh-an addictive scent he couldn't quite place. He found himself reluctant to let go.
Just as he hesitated, a strong hand suddenly reached over and shoved him roughly aside. Claire was pulled away and into someone else's arms.
The man's voice was icy, sharp as winter air-utterly cold and devoid of warmth.
"What do you think you're doing with my fiancée?" Brian's arms felt strangely empty, a wave of disappointment crashing over him. He turned to see who it was, and when he recognized the man, he froze.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe newcomer was none other than Sean Foster-the heir to the Foster family, the most powerful family in Northcrest City.
Brian didn't like him. He'd seen online that his idol, Claire, was engaged to this very man. Deep down, Brian knew he'd never be worthy of someone like Claire. To him, she was unattainable-like the moon in the sky, to be admired from afar but never touched.
No matter how impressive Sean Foster was, he was still just a businessman. What gave him the right to lay claim to Claire, a prodigy in the scientific world? Besides, Claire and Sean were only childhood friends. They hadn't seen each other in eight years. This whole engagement thing was just a gkids played once-hardly something to take seriously.
Brian glanced anxiously at Claire, worried Sean might treat her badly. If Claire so much as hinted at needing protection, Brian would gladly step in to defend her.
But what he saw instead was Claire's face lighting up in pure excitement the moment she saw Sean.
Sean was only twenty-two now, still with the earnestness and awkward charm of youth. Yet, there was already a trace of the calm, self-disciplined man he'd becin another life-a steadiness that went far beyond his years. In her past life, Claire had suffered far too much. Sean had been her salvation, the brightest light in her darkest days. The boy she'd once relied on had finally grown up.
And somehow, he recognized her at a single glance.
The coldness faded from Sean's eyes, replaced by a warmth so gentle it was almost startling.
"Claire, you're finally back," he said softly.
He reached up, brushing her hair gently away from her brow, his touch lingering, almost reverent.
"I've missed you all these years." Claire smiled up at him, eyes shining. "I missed you too." Sean's eyes grew even more intense, emotion threatening to spill over.
"Then... when we get back to Northcrest City, let's get engaged for real." Claire was just about to say yes when, out of nowhere, a tall figure barreled toward her and scooped her up in a bear hug.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Claire? Is it really you? My little Claire is finally home-thank God!" Orion Tempest was so overwhelmed he started to cry.
His baby sister-the sweet, chubby-cheeked little girl he remembered—had grown up in the blink of an eye. He'd missed eight years of her life, and the loss hit him all at once.
A moment later, Mrs. Tempest rushed over, her arms thrown wide.
"My darling girl, my sweet little one," Mrs. Tempest cried, hugging Claire tightly.
Even Mr. Tempest's eyes glistened with tears as he reached out and pulled the whole family Mrs. Tempest, Orion, and Claire-into a big, joyful embrace.
"Claire, you heartless little rascal," he scolded, voice trembling. "You leave the research institute m min titute and the first el thing you do is cto Cresthaven, only to get yourself kidnapped? You nearly gave your old dad a heart attack!" The family clung to Claire, all of them laughing and crying at once, overflowing with happiness and relief.
Standing just outside the hospital room, Adah watched the Tempests her own daughter
wrapped in their love. For the first time, she felt like an outsider, gently, painfully excluded from the family she should have belonged to. Cóntent
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