Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 171

Ethan sat there, utterly devastated, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the family photo. His sorrow felt like a heavy weight, crushing his very soul.

Blood mixed with his tears, blurring Claire's face in the picture. In a frantic attempt to clean it, he only smeared it further, staining her image a deep crimson, as if mocking the tragic path her life had taken, always shadowed by suffering.

Even just the sight of the photograph brought a flood of painful memories, each more unbearable than the last. The ache in his heart was so intense he nearly fainted. He couldn't bear to open Claire's diary, instead shoving it into the drawer and slamming it shut with trembling hands.

Clutching the family photo tightly, Ethan tried to leave the storage room. But as he stood, the world spun around him, and he collapsed to the floor, blood spilling from his mouth again. His stomach felt as if it were being torn apart, the pain excruciating.

He lay there, struggling to rise, but his body refused to cooperate. With shaking hands, he fumbled for his phone and dialed Victor's number.

The call connected, and Victor's voice came through, tinged with confusion, "Ethan, what's going on? Why are you calling so late?"

leaving him unable to voice his despair. Only the harsh

grew urgent,

out a few words, "I... I

voice quivered with emotion, each word seeming to be dredged up from the depths of his

sensed this was linked to Claire and urged, "Don't panic, take

continuing as if he hadn't heard, "I saw her awards, her acceptance

a loss for comforting words, finally saying,

hanging up, Ethan lay there, staring vacantly ahead. Memories of Claire, her presence in the household, and

Claire's eyes filled with despair and closed his own in agony. How could he ever make amends? What could he possibly do

...

roused from sleep by the commotion, were filled with a growing sense of dread upon seeing Victor's grave