Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 54

apter 54 A Kiss and Its Price

Who would’ve thought she was that bold?

#Finished

It was the first time Sterling had ever been kissed by a woman. He sat up straight and felt rather awkward.

The disgust and rejection he thought he’d feel never came. Sterling told himself it was because Claudia moved too fast–so fast he barely felt anything at all.

They finished the chicken soup in silence.

Claudia couldn’t help but think, if it hadn’t been for that strange twist of fate that brought him to her place, who would’ve known that Sterling could actually cook?

After living under the same roof for a while, she felt like she’d gained a few pounds.

Her carefree heart soon got lost in the delicious food. She completely forgot that half–kiss from earlier.

But the one who had been kissed? He didn’t feel right at all.

When the meal ended, Claudia started to clean the table, but Sterling stopped her.

“Birthday girls don’t work today.”

She leaned her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands, smiling as she watched him wash the dishes. “Mr. Romero is so thoughtful. Makes me wish today could last a little longer.”

For a day that should have been dark and heavy, it felt peaceful because of him.

She thought she might never forget the image of him walking through the storm, holding an umbrella over her.

Sterling paused, then raised his brow.

“You like being treated this way?”

Claudia nodded.

Of course she liked it. A powerful, handsome man who picked her up, cooked for her, and even gave her gifts–who wouldn’t?

“Just agree to my proposal and become my wife,” he said, “and you’ll get this treatment forever.”

Claudia quickly crossed her arms in an X shape. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

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Chapter 54 A Kiss and Its Price

Finished

He chuckled, frustrated. “So Ms. Lancaster just took advantage of me for nothing?”

Claudia choked on his accusation. “Wasn’t it what you asked for?”

Sterling gave a cold laugh. “I don’t just let random women kiss me. After what you did, shouldn’t you take responsibility for that?”

Claudia had no words.

A kiss on the cheek wasn’t a big deal. They were both single; no moral issue.

But marrying him? That came with both risks and benefits. She wasn’t ready to gamble her whole future on one kiss.

Besides, why was he acting like some maiden guarding his purity?

In the end, Claudia shamelessly ran away.

With Sterling throwing out shocking lines now and then, her mood did get much better that day.

But when she finally went back to her room alone, the weight came back.

Her smile faded. She pulled an old photo album from the drawer.

The background was under the apple tree in the yard. Her grandmother sat on a rocking chair, smiling, with two little girls standing on either side.

The old lady had always loved Claudia, but she loved Lydia too. She wanted both sisters to live good lives.

To her, Lydia’s past was pitiful and Claudia’s path was rough, so the two should’ve supported each other. But fate made them rivals instead. If one was rising, the other would be falling.

She never would’ve imagined Lydia growing so heartless, turning bitter just because she wasn’t the favorite.

Claudia touched the photo with trembling fingers. “Grandma, what would you want me to do?”

Crash!

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