Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Birthday Party

Claudia went with a safe answer. “So–so.”

Finished

Sterling didn’t argue. He just pinched her earlobe with a meaningful look and said quietly, “Claudia, don’t forget what you promised.”

It didn’t truly matter how close they were yet. Sooner or later, he’d make sure he was her first choice.

He had the patience.

There was still time before the birthday party tonight. As the main character, Claudia should’ve gone to the Lancaster Residence to get ready. But instead, she went back to her apartment and crashed.

Naturally, Sterling followed her.

Watching him flop down on her bed like it was the most normal thing ever, Claudia just stared at him in silence.

Sterling looked innocent. “The couch is buried in stuff. No place else to sleep.”

Lisa and the others had left their equipment behind for hair and makeup later.

Claudia had told them to go home and rest until evening.

She wasn’t treating this birthday party as seriously as the event at Romero Manor.

She decided to just go through the motions. She wasn’t about to play along with their little act

anyway.

If Sterling hadn’t insisted on doing her hair and makeup, she probably would’ve shown up in jeans and a T–shirt.

But there was only one bedroom, and the couch was out of commission. So that left… just the bed.

Since she needed him later, she couldn’t exactly kick him out.

In fresh pajamas, Claudia glared at him.

Sterling raised both hands. “Relax, we’ve slept together before. I promise I won’t pull anything.”

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Finishing

Yeah, there had been that one strange night they’d shared a bed.

Since the line between them had already been blurred because of him, Claudia decided not to

argue.

She stacked the blanket down the middle, waved her hand, and said, “The left side is yours. I’ll take the right.”

Maybe the mind games earlier had drained her. Even with someone next to her, Claudia fell asleep fast.

Sterling kept his eyes shut until her steady breathing filled the room. Then, his eyes snapped open, dark and filled with complicated thoughts.

They stayed on their own sides until Lisa and the others rang the bell that evening.

Dragging themselves out, they finally reached the Lancaster Residence at seven–already late.

Because Claudia had blocked all their numbers, she had no idea her phone had been blowing up nonstop.

When the Lancasters realized she still hadn’t unblocked them, every one of them looked furious.

Guests had already arrived, and the party was about to start, but Claudia hadn’t shown. It looked like she was ditching them on purpose.

Standing by Lottie, Lydia sighed. “If Claudia didn’t want to come, she could’ve just said so. Why wait until now to disappear?”

Clarence’s expression was grim. “She’s always been this stubborn.”

Lydia bit her lip, looking worried. “Then what about all the guests?”

Wilson snorted. “If she doesn’t want her birthday, fine. Cancel the party. Tybalt and I will just announce the engagement.”

Lydia’s nails dug into her palms. Even if Claudia didn’t show, they still wanted her married off to the Fenton family.

Blood ties mattered more to them.

“But isn’t it strange to have an engagement without the bride–to–be? Shouldn’t we reschedule—”

“Everything stays on schedule.” Jasper’s cold voice cut in.

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No one knew when he had arrived, but his jaw was clenched and his face expressionless.

He had a feeling Claudia was missing because of that man. Still, he didn’t want to think about whether that man mattered more to her than her grandmother’s keepsake.

Send Gifts

10

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