Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 4

As Ethan's words hung in the air, a heavy silence filled the car. He glanced at Claire in the rearview mirror, his frustration evident.

"Claire, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me?"-

Finally, Claire turned to face him, her voice steady as she spoke the longest sentence she'd uttered since her release.

"According to the National Prison Act, Article 48, inmates are entitled to meet with family or guardians during their incarceration."

"Inmates typically get a visit once a month, each lasting from half an hour to an hour."

"I served five years, a total of sixty months. I was supposed to see my family sixty times. Yet, not once did I get a visit."

"If your parents missed me so much, why didn't they visit? Were they so busy they couldn't spare even half an hour each month?"

Her voice was calm, but every word pierced through Ethan's fabricated story like a sharp blade.

The anger he had been ready to unleash was caught

piercing gaze, Ethan's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles

too much trouble. Mom and Dad thought it was best for you to stay there and learn to

her own good,

best interest" meant taking the fall

the energy to care anymore. She turned her gaze out the window,

car pulled into the Linwood family

grabbing a shopping bag from the backseat

Claire, and turned back

appropriate for the party," he instructed, before disappearing

to Claire. It had never felt like home, lacking even the smallest hint of warmth. The orphanage, in contrast, had

sunlit dorm room with others. Sunlight would flood the space each morning, creating a cozy atmosphere. She

she realized it wasn't the sunlit warmth she longed for,

opened the door

small, windowless, and crowded with boxes. The only furniture was a folding