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?"

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

made me feel utterly worthless, and yet you claim to love me. Do you even realize how absurd

voice reverberated through the room, each word a dagger aimed at

you love me, but where is that love?" Finally, Claire's tears broke free,

Adah's sobs halted abruptly.

Claire's forehead and the bloodstains on her clothing for

Claire, but the coldness and defiance in Claire's

what happened to your

gasped, "Oh my God,

flickered with concern, but it was fleeting, replaced quickly by

air. "No wonder you've been so sarcastic since you walked in.

his head slightly, his gaze full of contempt. "Claire,

filled with suspicion and a hint of disappointment. She frowned slightly, "Claire, is that true? How could you use an injury

snorted, "Old habits die hard, don't

imagined this would be

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

distant, wouldn't ignore her pain. Yet reality had struck