Claire's lips trembled slightly as she held his gaze, the weight of his words hanging in the air. After a brief pause, she whispered softly, almost too quietly,
"…Yeah, I do."
Damien's smirk melted into something gentler. His lips curled into a warm smile, the kind that seemed to radiate a calm strength, and he slowly stepped closer to her.
The sound of his footsteps made Claire's heart flutter unexpectedly, and though she tried to remain composed, her body betrayed her.
A soft shiver ran through her, making her spine tingle, and her cheeks flushed red like ripened apples under his gaze.
From the side, Nora noticed the change immediately.
She had been staring at the meat, still clutching it in her arms, but when she glanced back toward Damien and Claire, the sight froze her in place.
Her face grew red all over again, her heart pounding as flashes from the previous night attacked her mind without mercy.
