Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Oh, Then Call the Police Yourself

81

+8 Pearis

Watching Jasper storm off in anger, Zane muttered with disgust, “Everyone knows she’s wanted to marry you since she was little. This is just her way of riling you up. Jasper, how can you fall for it so easily?”

Lydia bit her lip gently. “Claudia may be upset, but she shouldn’t be playing with things like this. After all, she’s still a girl.”

Jasper’s fist tightened.

Yes. He’d let his feelings cloud his judgment.

They had nearly twenty years of history. Claudia wouldn’t really find another man. She was just trying to provoke him.

And she had succeeded–he had nearly lost his mind when he’d heard that man’s voice.

“I don’t care. This time, unless she apologizes to Lydia, you absolutely cannot forgive her,” Zane snapped.

What kind of sisterly quarrel landed one of them in the ER? His second sister never failed to upend his understanding.

Jasper pressed his lips together, unwilling to agree so easily.

Given Claudia’s temper, already furious about the house being signed over to Lydia, expecting her to bow her head was harder than scaling the heavens.

“She won’t even speak to me.”

Zane waved him off. “So what? Aunt Zoey’s memorial day is coming up.”

On that day, Claudia would show up no matter what.

Lydia lowered her head, her eyes curving faintly. Jasper, meanwhile, felt his chest grow heavy.

That day each year was always the hardest for Claudia.

Claudia slept like the dead, only waking at eight in the evening.

When she stepped out, she found the stray she’d picked up–Sterling–standing on the balcony, phone to his ear.

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9:40 Tue, Oct 7…

81

Chapter 16 Ch, Then Call the Police Yourself

+8 Pearls

At six–foot–three, he filled her tiny balcony completely. Even without the light on, the cold aura rolling off him was palpable.

Claudia spared him a glance and headed for the kitchen.

On the other end, Clint was reporting that Sterling’s injury and disappearance had leaked. Henry was stirring, trying to rally company shareholders to his side.

Sterling’s eyes followed Claudia as she moved about. His voice was lazy. “Ignore his little tricks. The higher he climbs, the harder he’ll fall.”

“Mr. Romero, you really shouldn’t show yourself for a while. Are you sure you don’t want to rest at Wisteria Pavilion?”

Wisteria Pavilion was secluded, with medical staff on standby. Compared to that, Claudia’s tiny apartment wasn’t fit for recovery. Clint couldn’t fathom how his boss planned to hole up here for a month.

“Don’t worry about me. Watch Henry.”

Sterling suddenly cut the call short when he saw Claudia’s drowsy figure nearly lean her elbow against the boiling pot.

He crossed the room in two strides and grabbed her before she burned herself.

The cramped kitchen seemed to shrink with his broad frame crowding in. Claudia, startled, elbowed him in the stomach. “What are you doing?”

He grunted, but calmly reached past her to turn off the stove. “Didn’t want your plain buns picking up a roasted flavor.”

Claudia thought back and realized that without his intervention, she would have scalded herself.

Not ungrateful, she gave a sheepish laugh and held up the half–open dumpling package. “Fine. Since Mr. Romero has such a generous heart, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

She mimicked Clint deliberately.

Sterling arched a brow at her movements. “This is how you treat your savior? With instant dumplings?”

Hadn’t she just cooked enough for herself alone?

“Guests ought to remember their place. You should be glad you’re even getting fed. What, you want me to serve you too? Where’s your shame?”

2/3

9:40 Tue, Oct 7

Chapter 16 Oh. Then Call the Police Yourself

81

+8 Pearls

Then she realized he was still half–holding her in his arms. She jabbed him again with her elbow.

Sterling slowly drew back, leaning against the fridge with composure. “Ten million.”

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