Chapter 50

Claire's POV That kiss ended reluctantly, both of us breathing heavily as we pulled apart. Instead of returning to our table, we found ourselves drawn to the yacht's railing, where we could look out over the dark expanse of the ocean. Theo's arm came around me naturally, pulling me against his side as we stood there listening to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the hull. The night was perfect—stars scattered across the clear sky, the moon casting a silver path across the water, the distant lights of the city twinkling like earthbound constellations. Being here with Theo, feeling so cherished and cared for, made me want to understand him better, to know the parts of himself he kept carefully hidden. I gathered my courage, turning slightly in his arms so I could see his face in the moonlight. "Theo," I began softly, "can I ask you something?" "Of course," he replied, though I caught a subtle tension in his voice, as if he already sensed the direction of my question. "Why do you