Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 46

Claire stared steadily at the Linwood family for what felt like an eternity, her gaze piercing enough to make them all shift uncomfortably. Finally, she turned away and continued down the hallway.

Vanessa clung to Adah's arm, her voice trembling, "Mom, the way Claire looked at us was terrifying."

Adah patted her daughter's arm reassuringly, though she herself couldn't shake the chilling feeling. There was a resolute intensity in Claire's eyes, as if she was ready to burn every bridge between them.

"Claire has changed so much in the past five years."

"She's so uncouth," Nathan scoffed. "Nothing like Vanessa. If we had known she'd turn out this way, we might have reconsidered having her."

Adah sighed, "Nathan, please, that's enough. She's still a young woman, and words like that can hurt."

Nathan's anger flared, his voice booming loud enough for Claire to hear clearly even from the storeroom she had retreated into.

"I'm her father! Do I have to coddle her too? We've been too lenient, and that's why she's so out of hand. She should have been taught proper manners from the start."

calm him, "Just let

for

room was enveloped in darkness as she hugged her arms tightly around herself, her head buried in her knees. Tears spilled over, flowing unchecked as the dam of long-repressed pain

silently, her tears soaking her clothes but doing

hoped it would be a warm haven, only to find it a cold cage

was thanks to

and her sobs gradually

lying down and staring

and despair mingled, and she

even in slumber,

her, making her face twist with fear as her body thrashed and writhed. She cried out, "Help!

with terror and hopelessness, as if she had returned to

nightmare, a warm hand rested gently on her back, patting her rhythmically, accompanied

was full of concern, like a beacon of light piercing through the darkness, trying to chase away her