Chapter b448 /b

The next morningb, /bCharlotte got up early.

After breakfast at the hotel, she nned to head out to theke just outside town.

In the parking lot, Sean turned to Petra, who stood expressionless beside him. “You can head back. Nothing’s going to happen with me here.”

Petra’s voice was calm and t. “I only take orders from Miss Riley”

Sean fell silent.

He had finally gotten the chance to take Charlotte on a proper vacation, just the two of them. And now someone insisted on tagging along?

Petra was great at her job–skilled, loyal, reliable–but she could be stubborn. No flexibility, no emotional nuance.

Charlotte nced at Petra. She knew Petra had been working nonstop, following her around every day on this work trip. The job was repetitive, boring, and far from morous. A change of scenery might be nice for her.

And besides, it wasn’t a bad idea to have an extra pair of hands in the wilderness, just bin /bcase something happened.

As for Sean, Charlotte knew exactly what he was thinking.

He wanted alone time with her. A little couple’s getaway.

That could be arranged. Once they got there, she would have Petra hang back and give them some space.

“Come with us, Petra,” Charlotte said.

“Okay.”

They didn’t have to worry about transport. Sean had already made arrangements. A callter, and an off–road vehicle rolled up

to meet them.

They drove out of town. Twenty minutester, they arrived at theke.

Normally, this spot would be packed with tourists snapping photos and soaking in the view. But today, the entire area was quiet. Not a single soul in sight.

Maybe Sean had called in a favor. Maybe someone up top had cleared the ce ahead of time.

The driver stayed in the car while the three of them got out.

The scene before them was breathtaking.

Charlotte stood still, momentarily stunned.

The sky was a brilliant, cloud–brushed blue, so clear it looked almost unreal. Cottony clouds driftedzily across it like nature’s afterthought, soft and weightless.

Theke mirrored the sky perfectly, its surface shimmering under the sun like a bed of diamonds. It sparkled like something out of a dream–something not quite real, not quite tangible.

Set against the vibrant green meadow, the deep–blueke looked like a sapphire nestled in velvet. It was peaceful, untouched, and endlessly soothing.

Wildflowers bloomed along thekeside–yellow, purple, white–names unknownb, /bbut scent sweet and vivid. Butterflies danced in the air while bees buzzed from petal to petal. The whole scene pulsed with life.

Sean hade prepared.

Chapter b448 /b

He pulled out a DSLR camera and began snapping shots of the bndscape/b, capturing the dreamy beauty of the ce. After a few frames, he looked over the lens at Charlotte. “Go stand over there. I’ll take some of you.b” /b

She was wearing a light blue and white id sundress with arge white bow at the chest and delicate daisy embroidery along the skirt. It was youthful and breezy–perfect for the setting.

She hadn’t packed casual clothes for this tripb, /bonly business attire Sean had taken her shopping the night before and picked out this dress himself.

It suited her.

When she stood by theke, she looked like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal world. The breeze lifted the hem of her dress like butterfly wings about to take flight.

She struck a few poses, and Sean snapped away, patient and focused.

Her skin was porcin smooth, her features delicate and elegant, the kind of beauty that didn’t need makeup to stun

Sean took shot after shot–from every angle, close–ups and wide frames, front and back. He had dabbled in photography before, and it showed. Every photo looked like a magazine cover.

Once he finished, he handed the camera to Petra. “Take one of us.

It had been a long time since theyst took a photo together.

He gave Petra a quick rundown on how to use the camera, then walked over to stand beside Charlotte.

Thest time they posed like this was during a trip to Linton Springs–back when they were still caught up in a sweet, messy, passionate rtionship.

They hadn’t reconciled yet, so Sean didn’t try anything bold. He kept a respectful distance.

In the photo, he looked at Charlotte with gentle, lingering affection, eyes full of unspoken love.

She looked at the camera.

He looked only at her.

After the pictures were taken, Petra took the hint and stepped asideb, /bgiving them privacy.

Sean and Charlotte strolled side by side through the postcard–perfect scenery. In the distanceb, /bcows and sheep called outzily. Birds circled in the sky. A breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the scent of flowers.

Everything felt peaceful. Timeless.

As they walked, their shoulders inched closer without meaning to. The air between them grew warmer, softerb, /bsweet with anticipation.

Suddenlyb, /bCharlotte caught her foot on a small stone and stumbled forward.

Sean moved without thinking, reaching out to steady her and pulling her into his arms.

For a moment, she waspletely surrounded by him. His cool, woody cologneb, /bthe calm strength in the way he held her—it wrapped around her like a quiet spell.

They were close. So close.

Sean looked down at her, their noses nearly touching, their breaths brushing softly in the space between them.

Time seemed to stand still.

Their eyes locked.

Charlotte’s heart pounded faster, thudding lotider with every beat until it drowned out everything else. The wind, the birds, the world around her seemed to fall away.

Something in Sean’s eyes shifted. His gaze grew more intense. Slowly, he leaned in, every movement unhurried and deliberate.

Their breathing turned uneven.

Charlotte didn’t look away. She watched his face draw nearer, and instead of pulling back, she let her eyes close.

That was her answer.

She was saying yes.

Sean’s heart skipped a beat. A rare flicker of nervousness stirred in his chest.

He held his breath and gently pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft, like the brush of a cloud. Light. Careful. Full of feeling.

It all felt so natural, like it had been meant to happen.

When they broke up, it had been at the peak of their love. That only made it hurt more.

They had both been in pain.

But neither of them had ever stopped loving the other.

Not Sean.

Not Charlotte.

She had buried those feelings deep, overwhelmed by pressure and reality.

But no matter how much time passed, her love for him had never faded.

She had missed him.

She wanted him close.

And she couldn’t push him away anymore.