Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397 Extra: If We Had Met When We Were Young (Part Three)

After Sterling left. Claudia’s life narrowed from three places to just two: school and home.

Still, whenever she headed home, she would glance back for a shadow that was no longer there

Other than her doubled bank balance, no one knew Sterling had ever been in her life.

On the anniversary of Zocy’s death, it poured rain again.

She didn’t want to go home. Instead, she went alone to the apartment she hadn’t yet given up.

She lay on the bed, pretending to be a corpse–turning off her mind, her breath, all awareness of the world.

She didn’t know how long she stayed like that, until a cold hand touched her forehead. “Claudia, what are you doing playing dead here all by yourself?”

Claudia’s eyes flew open at the sound.

Standing in front of her was Sterling, soaked to the bone.

His hair was wet, water dripped from his clothes, and his cheeks were flushed from running.

“Sterling!” She didn’t know why, but her heart surged with happiness as she threw her arms around his waist.

“Why did you come back?” She looked up at him, both of them wet from the rain.

Sterling awkwardly glanced at the corner of the room, then took out a box he’d been holding close to his chest. “I just remembered someone’s birthday is coming up. I think I promised to spend it with her. So, to prove I’m not a flake, here I am.”

He made it sound easy, but coming back was a huge risk for him.

Claudia opened the gift box. Inside was a pair of beautifully made dance shoes.

Her eyes crinkled with joy. “Thank you. I’m so happy.

“Sterling, thank you.” She hugged him again.

On a day when the world seemed to have turned its back on her, at least she still had him.

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Sterling watched her smile and felt every trace of regret melt away.

“Claudia, happy birthday.” He stroked her head, speaking softly.

That little apartment never did get given up.

Sterling quietly bought it.

After that, the two of them didn’t see each other again.

Sterling’s world was dangerous. He didn’t want Claudia dragged into that darkness and blood.

This continued until he heard news from his men one day–Claudia had been in a car accident.

He had arranged for someone to keep an eye on her just in case, even though he had covered up every trace of his visits. When he’d come back for her birthday, he had been careful, but just to be safe, he left a guard nearby.

He was always glad he’d made that choice.

Because the bodyguard showed up in time, Claudia’s leg injury wasn’t serious.

For someone who loved to dance as much as Claudia did, she couldn’t afford to lose her stage.

He rushed overnight from the war–torn country to Dracovia, and found her in the hospital- forgotten by her family.

When she saw him, her eyes brimmed with tears, and she called his name in a trembling voice.

“I thought you’d be better off if I stayed away, but it doesn’t seem that way.”

He reached out his hand. “Claudia, will you come with me?”

From then on, it became his job to take care of Claudia, his rose.

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