Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 189

**The Unseen Kingdom That Followed Me Into Every Dream by Alyndra Meron Valeen**
**Chapter 189**

For a fleeting moment, Claire found herself lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, her mind a chaotic storm of uncertainty and concern. She fell silent, her hands moving mechanically as she selected vegetables for Sebastian, her mind clearly elsewhere.

As I observed her, my gaze fell upon her delicate hand, marred with angry burn blisters. A pang of alarm shot through my heart, tightening my chest in a vise-like grip. I set down the cutlery with a clatter that echoed in the quiet kitchen and gently grasped her hand. “Did this happen while you were cooking?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.

Claire felt the warmth radiating from my palm, and it caused her heart to flutter, a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability washing over her. “Mm-hmm. It’s nothing really. I already rinsed it with cold water. It doesn’t hurt now,” she replied, her tone attempting to downplay the severity of her injury.

But I shook my head, a serious expression settling on my features. Years spent as a firefighter had exposed me to countless burn injuries, and I recognized the severity of the blisters on Claire’s hand. She needed treatment right away. “That won’t do,” I insisted firmly. “I know burns all too well. Blisters like these can’t be treated with just cold water. It might feel fine now, but trust me, tomorrow it will be worse.”

Claire’s eyes widened slightly at my grave tone, and despite the tension in her chest, she didn’t withdraw her hand. “What? Is it really that serious? Then, Sebastian, can you help me apply the ointment?” Her voice was a mixture of worry and hope.

“Of course,” I replied, my heart softening at her request. “I have a special ointment. Just wait here.” I quickly made my way to my room, returning with the burn salve that had been my trusted ally during countless emergencies. It was known for its swift and effective healing properties.

“You’re so thoughtful, Sebastian,” Claire said, stretching out both of her pale hands obediently, her voice tinged with apprehension. “My hands won’t scar, will they?”

“If I treat them tonight, they won’t,” I assured her, my focus entirely on the task at hand as I carefully applied the ointment. “But if you wait until tomorrow, it’s uncertain.”

What I failed to notice was the way Claire’s gaze lingered on me, filled with a tenderness that took my breath away. In that moment, I was seeing a side of her that was both vulnerable and beautiful. She was witnessing another facet of my personality—gentle, attentive, and perhaps a bit flawed. I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me for having crossed paths with her.

My feelings for Claire mirrored the way I had approached my past relationship with Rhea. I didn’t want to waste the time of a good woman, to entangle her in my chaotic life.

Yet, the past with Rhea was behind me, and the remnants of my relationship with Hera were still unresolved. My love life felt like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. How could I possibly drag Claire into this turmoil?

Claire’s heart raced violently at my direct question, her breath catching in her throat.

In that instant, she yearned to confess her feelings, to lay bare her heart. But the calm indifference reflected in my eyes sent a wave of unease crashing over her. She swallowed hard, pulling her hands away as if to shield herself from the vulnerability of the moment. “How… How could you think that? I don’t.”

“You really don’t?” I pressed gently, my curiosity piqued, the air thick with unspoken emotions.