Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 188

**The Unseen Kingdom That Followed Me Into Every Dream by Alyndra Meron Valeen**
**Chapter 188**

I approached the table, my heart racing slightly as I took a seat across from Claire. As I lifted my gaze, it was impossible to ignore what she was wearing. It was decidedly too revealing for my comfort.

When I first stepped into her home, my primary concern had been the possibility of her setting the kitchen ablaze once more. My focus had been entirely on the culinary chaos that might ensue rather than her choice of attire, which had been mostly concealed beneath a protective apron.

Now, however, the reality was striking. She was clad in nothing but a delicate camisole that clung to her figure and tiny lounge shorts that barely covered her. My eyes darted around the room, unsure of where to rest. The casualness of her posture only added to my discomfort, and I felt a rush of heat creep up my neck.

Claire, seemingly oblivious to my internal struggle, served my plate with a casual grace. Yet, she caught the direction of my gaze and quirked an eyebrow. “Eat. Why are you staring at me?” Her tone was playful, but there was an underlying challenge in her words.

I cleared my throat, trying to find the right words amidst the awkwardness. “Claire, um… Maybe you should consider putting on a jacket or something?” I coughed lightly, my mind racing with a mantra of ‘Don’t stare. Don’t stare.’

“Hmm?” It took her a moment, but realization dawned on her, and her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She lowered her head, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.

This was a significant moment; it was the first time Claire had ever bared herself so candidly in front of a man. Yet, oddly enough, she felt no regret. On one hand, she was undeniably drawn to Sebastian, and on the other, she felt the weight of expectation from Hera’s side.

With Sebastian on the verge of divorcing Hera, Claire sensed a fleeting opportunity. After all, no other man had captured her heart in such a way. If he brought her this much joy, what harm could there be in granting him a little visual indulgence?

“It’s fine,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cooking in the kitchen made me warm, so I thought I’d cool down a bit. It’s really nothing. You’re not an outsider, are you?” She pulled her chair closer to Sebastian, her face aflame with a mix of shyness and boldness.

But I quickly pushed the thought aside. Me? A man on the brink of divorce? How could I possibly possess the charm to make beautiful women fall for me so effortlessly? It was absurd.

I smiled, my voice light and teasing. “Heh, of course I enjoy your cooking. Thank you for the meal tonight. It’s been ages since I felt this kind of warmth in a home.”

Once I shook off those ridiculous notions, the atmosphere around us began to feel normal again. Surely, it had all just been a figment of my imagination.

“I see. Then eat more,” Claire encouraged, her smile brightening even further. Yet, beneath that cheerful exterior, a flicker of disappointment danced in her stunning eyes.

She had been so overt in her intentions tonight, yet Sebastian remained oblivious, unresponsive. Was it possible that he harbored no interest in her? Or was the impending divorce creating a barrier that kept him from embracing a new relationship?