Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Now, Claire looked even more like a porcelain doll.

"Come here, you two! Look how adorable our Claire is!" Mrs. Tempest called out.

Mr. Tempest and Orion hurried into the bedroom. The moment they saw Claire, their eyes practically sparkled with delight.

Mr. Tempest beamed. "That's my daughter! Beautiful as ever."

Orion nodded enthusiastically. "No doubt about it-my little sister is the cutest."

Father and son began showering Claire with compliments, and soon they were rummaging through the closet to find her the perfect dress.

Mr. Tempest held up a white princess dress.

Orion grabbed a pink one.

"Claire, sweetheart, try Daddy's dress on," Mr. Tempest urged.

"Claire, mine is much prettier," Orion insisted, holding the pink dress closer.

Neither was willing to back down, and Claire couldn't help but feel both overwhelmed and touched by their attention.

In the end, she put on the pink dress Orion had chosen, but to keep the peace, she let her dear dad pick a white cardigan to wear over it.

She thought that would finally settle things.

But no sooner had she finished changing than the two started debating again— this time over whether she should wear pink or white princess shoes.

Claire pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation.

Was this how Vanessa was doted on when she was little? Did Nathan and Ethan ever fuss over her like this?

No wonder they say a father's love is steadfast and unwavering. Sometimes, it felt almost too much to bear.

With a long sigh, Claire slipped on one pink shoe and one white one, hoping to satisfy them both.

Mr. Tempest grinned and gave her a big thumbs up. "See? My daughter is a genius! Not only is she smart, she's got an eye for fashion too. That's what you call a trendsetter-mismatched shoes are all the rage!"

Orion scooped Claire up and planted a big kiss on her chubby cheek. "My little sister is a born fashionista. Amazing!"

Mrs. Tempest clasped her hands to her cheeks, gazing at Claire like she was the most precious thing in the world. "Oh my goodness—our darling is just like a little fairy! How can anyone be this beautiful? My sweet, sweet girl."

Claire: (~_~)

Okay, enough already.

She was starting to worry they'd spoil her rotten.

The whole family continued to gush over Claire, completely shameless and without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Once Claire was finally all dressed up, Mr. Tempest scooped her into his arms.

"Claire, I have to head to the office,

so I can't come shopping for dresses with you. But don't

worry I'll be there for your birthday tomorrow. I promise I won't miss it for the world."

Claire cradled her dad's handsome face in her tiny hands. "Don't worry, Daddy Go to work-Mom and Orion will

theep me company." She paused,

then added earnestly, "I'll miss you."

"My sweet girl, always so thoughtful." He kissed her on the cheek before handing

her over to Mrs. Tempest.

"Take care of Claire for me, darling. I'm off."

"Drive safe," Mrs. Tempest replied.

After Mr. Tempest left, Mrs. Tempest and Orion took Claire out for a day of shopping.

Northcrest City's largest children's boutique was packed with dresses in every color and style imaginable.

Mrs. Tempest and Orion could hardly choose they loved everything they saw.

Every dress that seemed right for Claire, they wanted to buy.

Claire tried them on one by one, and every time she stepped out, Mrs. Tempest and Orion gasped in amazement.

"This one's beautiful-we'll take it!"

"Oh, this one's even prettier-let's get it too!"

"Wow, this is the best yet-we'll have them all!"

Claire: ==

The boutique stretched as far as the eye could see, and by the end, Mrs. Tempest and Orion had set aside over a hundred gorgeous dresses.noveldrama

They were even more excited than Claire-total doting mom and brother mode. Watching them go on their shopping spree, Claire almost felt a little scared.

The sales assistants could barely contain their smiles.

Claire wanted to protest, but there was no stopping her enthusiastic mom and brother.

One of the saleswomen noticed

Claire looked a bit bored and invited

her to sit on the sofa. "Would you

like something to drink? I'll get you a

juice."

After trying on so many dresses, Claire was hot and a little thirsty, so she nodded

gratefully.