Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 62

Her voice was as soft as a whisper in the wind, lacking any persuasive power.

Ethan roared, "If you really cared, why insist on giving Vanessa the herbal tonic when you know she despises it? Why not give it to Claire?"

"Look at Claire—she's so thin it's alarming. Mom, can't you see who truly needs the nourishment?"

"Do you even realize Claire lost more than just a finger?" His voice broke off, and his heart ached as he recalled what Victor had revealed last night: Claire was missing a kidney.

Claire was only twenty-three. She had spent five years in prison, had a broken leg, and lost a kidney. Her future seemed bleak and predetermined.

Ethan's eyes were bloodshot, his heart heavy with sorrow. "Mom, Claire is your own flesh and blood. Can't you show her some compassion, treat her better, just this once?"

Adah was at a loss for words. Faced with Ethan's accusations, guilt washed over her, and tears began to fall.

"Enough!" Nathan suddenly barked, his expression dark and menacing. "Have you no respect? Is this how you speak to your mother?"

did I do to deserve a daughter like Claire, so morally

malicious and unlikable; she brought this on

own finger; no one forced her. Frankly, I think both

deep in his fabrications that he began to believe them

was born, my mother begged you to watch over her,

a good education and wouldn't be any less

her. How

fault she was kidnapped at

to grow up in an orphanage? To live like a stray when

to Ethan's incisive and relentless accusations, feeling a loud ringing in his head as anger

with fury, a

son!" Nathan shouted, raising his hand and delivering a stinging slap to

the blow turned Ethan's head to the side, and blood oozed from the corner

of hope in