Part 57

Claire sat up and moved closer to Antony. He had closed his eyes, bracing himself for a slap from her, but just a moment after shutting his eyes, he opened them wide and looked at Claire in disbelief. The warmth spreading on his cheek wasn't from the anticipated slap but from Claire's hands cradling his face. To his utter surprise, she pressed her lips against his.

"Claire?" Antony gasped as she sat back in her place, acting as if nothing had happened.

Claire ignored his call and chose to lie back on the bed, hiding herself under the blanket. "I'm tired. Really sleepy. I want to sleep," she said tersely.

"Claire?" Antony called her name again.

"What now!?" Claire glared at him with wide eyes. "From now on, stop using Flavia. If you really want to get close to me, be honest and gentlemanly. Don't use pity as a bait. I like Flavia and care for her just as I do Abigail, so don't hurt her feelings by using her to try to win me over," she scolded. But Antony was frozen in place, still processing what Claire had just done to him.

"Claire?" Antony called her name once more.

"I don't like you that much yet, sir. What I just did was just a form of appreciation because you were honest with me. There's still a lot you need to do and a lot of time before I fall for you," she replied coolly.

"Does that mean I can get closer?" Antony asked hesitantly.

Claire shot him a sarcastic look. "Only I can do that. You're not allowed to touch me any more than what I just did," she answered coldly.

Antony chuckled, laughed, and then burst into joyous laughter. He was truly surprised—astonished, enthusiastic, and happy all at once.

Was it really that easy to melt Claire's heart? Not by making her feel pity. Not by playing the role of a betrayed widower or a father whose child lacked a mother's love. But simply by being honest and straightforward?

Antony watched the girl again. Claire had her back to him, so he couldn't see her expression now. But by observing the steady rise and fall of her body as she breathed, he knew that Claire had drifted back into sleep. He shifted closer, adjusting the blanket over her until it covered her shoulders, gently stroking the side of her head.

Antony smiled. He felt a sense of wonder—not at himself, but at Claire. Her arrogance was in stark contrast to her gentle and affectionate nature. She didn't hesitate to express her love for Flavia, and she never shied away from saying no when she truly didn't want something. She wasn't the type of girl who pretended not to like something while secretly enjoying it. Somehow, Antony found Claire to be unique.

What would happen between them if God truly destined them to be together? Would Antony, as he fought to win her heart, end up reliving the same past he experienced with Flavia's mother? Or would it be different this time? Would his efforts to win Claire's heart lead to a happy marriage?

Antony recalled his conversation with Gian and Altezza a while back, on the night they returned to Kansas after Chand's wedding.

**FLASHBACK**

"Are you sure about everything you're doing right now, Cousin?" Altezza asked.

The three of them had arrived at Antony's parents' home. Abigail and Flavia had already returned to Flavia's room to rest, while Antony's parents had long since fallen asleep before their arrival.

"Why do you ask that?" Antony looked at Altezza with furrowed brows.

Altezza shrugged. "I just have my doubts. Is what you're feeling truly affection leading to love, or is it just an obsession?"

Gian stared at his cousins, equally concerned.

"Why is all of this just an obsession?" Gian asked, puzzled. Altezza and Antony shot him sharp looks. "Come on, cousins. I'm new here. If you don't want to tell me everything, then why did you bring me along?" he complained. "If you really want to involve me, then include me fully. Don't just give me half the story," he continued.

Altezza now looked at Antony, who remained silent. He then turned to Gian. "Do you remember who Flavia's mother is?" Altezza finally asked.

Gian raised an eyebrow. "When she got married, I was only thirteen. To be honest, I don't remember much about the wedding except for the grandeur and the many beautiful bridesmaids at the time. Other than that..." Gian shrugged.

"Do you know why they divorced?" Altezza asked again.

Gian tilted his head, scratching his temple with his index finger before shrugging again. "When they split, I think it was two years after the wedding? Or maybe after Flavia was born? At that time, I was busy preparing for various exams to get into high school. So...," Gian shrugged once more. "I really didn't pay much attention to it. But more than that, I wasn't focused on it because I didn't like Flavia's mother," he answered flatly.

"Why? What made you dislike her?" Antony asked, his tone cold this time.

Gian shrugged. "I just didn't like her. When I heard Aunt Delia complaining about your fiancée, I happened to be there. Aunt Brianna said she was a nice woman and seemed to adore you. But according to Aunt Brianna, she wasn't ready to be a wife, let alone a mother.

"Aunt Brianna said your fiancée was still unstable. Coincidentally, I once saw her hanging out with her friends—though I've forgotten her face, I remember what I heard back then."

"Your fiancée said that no matter what, she would become a part of the Quirino family. Everyone knows what our family is like. America is indeed where Uncle Benjamin and Uncle Arthur have established their roots. But my father is no ordinary man either. Everyone knows how wealthy the Quirino family is. Sometimes, that's what makes it hard for me to find genuine friends.

"I'm not ashamed of my family. But carrying the weight of my family's name is a burden in itself.

"And your fiancée," Gian shrugged. "Aunt Brianna even suspected that she had been targeting one of you from the start, considering you both were of marrying age back then," Gian said bluntly.

"What do you mean?" Altezza frowned.

"Aunt Brianna knew she met Antony through you, cousin," he pointed at Altezza. "Now that I'm older, I mean, after learning to be a playboy from you guys, I finally understand what those women say.

"Flavia's mother initially set her sights on you," he pointed at Altezza. "Then, because she knew Antony and realized that Antony had more to offer than you, she changed her target and chose you," Gian explained.

"That's impossible. She clearly loves me," Antony protested.