Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 19

After hanging up the phone, he sat in his chair, staring blankly into the distance.

Ethan remained lost in thought for quite some time before finally getting up and leaving the study. Standing in front of the bedroom door, he found himself unable to muster the courage to open it. The closed door seemed like an invisible barrier, separating him from Claire, who lay inside.

It was her own actions that brought her to this state, yet his heart still ached with an unbearable heaviness.

As he hesitated, a servant hurried over. "Sir, Miss Vanessa's birthday celebration is about to start. You should head over there now."

Ethan hesitated, casting a deep look at the bedroom door before turning away silently and following the servant.

In the ballroom, Vanessa was the center of attention, like a princess surrounded by her adoring subjects. She stood in front of an ornate cake as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" in unison. When the song ended, she took a deep breath and blew out the candles in one go.

In an instant, colorful balloons and streamers burst into the air, and everyone cheered "Happy Birthday" to Vanessa, their voices echoing through the hall.

Ethan stood among the crowd, observing the beaming faces. Inevitably, his mind conjured up the image of Claire, lying pale and frail in bed.

smile but found it

alone to the champagne tower. He grabbed a glass and downed it in one go. The liquid trickled down his chin, soaking his collar. Ignoring it, he continued to drink, as if battling the pain and guilt gnawing at

he was unsteady on his feet, his surroundings blurring into a distant hum of laughter and chatter. With what little clarity he had left, he staggered towards

reaching the bedroom, a wave of nausea overtook him, and he rushed to the bathroom, clutching

on the faucet, letting cold water

sink, he lifted his dripping face to the mirror. His disheveled hair clung to his forehead, water

nothing wrong. Why torture myself? This is

then, his phone rang.

face,

"Hello."

you asked

Ethan's voice

Quinn hesitated.

grew.