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,

dining room continued for quite

hugged her arms tightly

clothes but doing

it would be a warm haven, only to find it a cold cage where she felt battered

endured was thanks to these so-called

and her

to the bed, lying down and staring blankly at

and despair mingled, and she

in slumber,

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

were filled with terror and hopelessness, as if she had returned to that

warm hand rested gently on her back, patting her rhythmically, accompanied by a soothing, elderly voice, "Don't be afraid, don't be

beacon of light