Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 170

He was gasping for breath, struggling to keep himself from collapsing.

Finally, the overwhelming dizziness started to subside, and he managed to regain a semblance of calm.

He raised a trembling hand to haphazardly wipe away the tears from his face, just as he was about to gently place the acceptance letter back into the drawer. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an old, slightly worn diary in the corner.

For a moment, his hand hovered in mid-air. His heart was in turmoil-logic told him not to open it, knowing its contents might bring more pain and guilt. Yet, the insatiable curiosity and longing to understand Claire's world proved irresistible.

In the end, his hand seemed to move on its own accord, reaching out to grasp the diary.

As he opened the first page, a family photograph came into view.

In the photo, his parents sat beaming in the center, with his mother cradling Lucky, their beloved dog, who had lived a full eighteen years before passing away of old

age.

After Lucky's death, the family was engulfed in sorrow, even holding a special funeral for him. They were so heartbroken that they never got another dog. However, Lucky's room was preserved, his favorite toys still carefully arranged inside.

He stood next to his father, while Vanessa nestled beside their mother.

four, seemingly

placed apart from them,

back to the

Labor Day, the weather was particularly nice, and

family

were ready when Vanessa remembered Lucky

timidly asked him,

replied dismissively that they were taking

with excitement, thinking she would be part

eagerly

woman other than Vanessa to get close to him, and Claire's proximity made him uncomfortable.

they take advantage of the holiday to go

four of them, along with the dog, set off on a

the first major argument between the

was all because Claire asked, "Why didn't you

him. "You're not part of the Linwood family, why should we

could be placed at the center of the family photo, yet his own sister