Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27 The Proposal

“Claudia, do you have ulterior motives toward me?”

Claudia rolled her eyes.

“I give you permission to have little thoughts about me.”

“I suggest you go get your head checked.”

The two of them never seemed able to speak seriously for more than two minutes.

It was hard to imagine that both of them were cold and taciturn around others outside.

“You don’t mean what you say. Telling me to leave while practically seducing me.”

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Following his gaze, Claudia realized that when she sat down, her pajama top had pulled loose, exposing more than half of her chest.

She was sitting on the carpet between the coffee table and the sofa, while Sterling sat above her on the couch.

From his angle, it was all in plain view…

Quickly covering her chest, Claudia suddenly looked at him in alarm. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

With that dazzling whiteness hidden, Sterling leaned back against the sofa, shrugging. “Don’t you know? The whole neighborhood thinks we’re a deeply loving couple. They say we’re the most perfect match in the world.”

Five minutes later, with a sharp shriek, Claudia’s hand smacked against Sterling’s chest.

“What kind of rumors have you been spreading about me?” she fumed.

“As you can see, I was just doing a small act of kindness.”

Overnight, from newly single to suddenly branded a married woman, Claudia felt like the sky had collapsed.

“When you pat your backside and leave, what happens to me?” she groaned.

Since the topic had already been dragged this far, Sterling didn’t bother to hide his intentions.

“The best way to deal with a rumor,” he said smoothly, “is to make it true.”

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Chapter 37 The Propos

“What do you mean?”

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Sterling leaned closer. “Marry me. Ms. Lancaster, I need a wife. And I think you’re the right

one.”

“Why?”

He only smiled without answering.

“And why would you think I’d agree to that?”

“Because you need me too. The Lancaster family’s adopted daughter drove you out, stole your parents, your brothers, your identity, your status, even your grandmother’s keepsake. Don’t you hate her?”

They sat at opposite ends of the sofa now, the faint trace of intimacy from before completely gone, replaced by the atmosphere of two chess players locked in a match.

“Then you should know my history with her. I owe her.”

Sterling was dismissive. “Only someone blind and foolish would believe a six–year–old child could cause the death of a grown adult. Don’t tell me you’ve never questioned that story. And even if you are that naïve, then Lydia should be the one in the hospital now, not you.”

“Can’t make up your mind?” His sharp gaze seemed to pierce straight into her heart. “Because you know, words and physical scuffles are nothing. But if you declare war, you won’t just face Lydia–you’ll face the entire Lancaster family standing behind her. Strip away crush her pride, and the Lancasters will not walk away unscathed.”

He stared at her eyes, now dimmed of their brightness.

her support,

“Ms. Lancaster, you’re too softhearted. And the one who feels too deeply always loses the worst.”

In this moment, Sterling shed the gentle humor he carried when joking with her. Step by step, he pressed in, sharp and relentless, finally resembling the golden boy of the Romero family that the rumors spoke of–aloof and merciless.

“Family is just a word. Their feelings aren’t worth anything if they can’t give themselves to you completely. Ms. Lancaster, the opportunity is right in front of you. All the things you couldn’t do because of restraints–say the word, and they’re yours.”

His voice was soft, coaxing, like the whisper of a devil.

The Lancaster family had loved Claudia deeply before the age of six. After that, their care was never quite enough when it was good, never quite cruel enough when it was bad. Even now, though she no longer had illusions about them, that shred of affection kept her from striking back hard.

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Chapter 27 The Proposal

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