Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 45

Nathan was trembling with rage, his chest heaving with every breath.

Adah's heart ached as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Clutching her chest, she sobbed, "Claire, it's not like that. Your father and I brought you into this world out of love. Truly, you must believe us."

Claire almost laughed out loud at her words, and in fact, she did chuckle.

But there was no warmth in her smile-only scorn and a deep sense of sorrow.

Love her?

She stood right in front of them, her head wrapped in bandages—a detail that even May had noticed. Yet, her own flesh and blood seemed oblivious.

Not a word of concern, only accusations.

Claire's eyes turned red with anger.

Pointing to her forehead, her voice rose to a sharp pitch. "I've been here for ten minutes, haven't I? In those ten minutes, has anyone bothered to ask about the injury on my forehead?"

not see it, or are you just pretending not to? Or maybe

and yet you claim to love me. Do you even realize

voice reverberated through the room, each word a dagger

but where is that love?" Finally, Claire's tears broke free, cascading down her cheeks, her body

Adah's sobs halted abruptly.

Claire's words, she noticed the wound on Claire's forehead and the bloodstains on her clothing for the

to embrace Claire, but the coldness and defiance in Claire's

happened to

gasped, "Oh my

was

you've been so sarcastic since you walked in. You wanted to play the victim to

his gaze full of contempt.

She frowned slightly, "Claire, is that true? How could you use an injury

habits die hard, don't

never imagined this would be

as if doused with ice-cold water, her heart sinking into a pit of

had thought her family, no matter how distant, wouldn't