Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 290

Brian reached out, wanting nothing more than to pull Claire into his arms and show her just how deeply he regretted everything he'd done.

But Claire recoiled, her expression twisted in disgust. The last thing she wanted was Brian's touch-just the thought of it made her skin crawl.

She tried to move away, but her injured legs wouldn't let her get far. Panic flickered in her eyes as Brian closed in, arms outstretched, ready to envelop her.

Suddenly, a strong, steady hand appeared out of nowhere, wrapping firmly around her waist. In one swift motion, she was pulled safely into another embrace-a warm chest scented faintly of cedar and tobacco. She barely had time to catch her breath before Sean, without a hint of mercy, landed a brutal kick that sent Brian sprawling across the floor.

"You think you can lay a hand on her?" Sean's voice was low, cold as steel.

Brian lay sprawled on the ground, face twisted in pain. He looked up at Claire, desperation flooding his expression. "Claire, please, I didn't mean to! I'm begging you, just forgive me!"

But Claire was already nestled in Sean's arms, face buried against his chest, breathing in the comforting scent that was uniquely his. Brian's words didn't even reach her. Her silence, her absolute refusal to even acknowledge him, sent Brian spiraling into despair.

He knew, with crushing certainty, that Claire would never forgive him. The girl he'd loved most in this world was lost to him forever.

Claire and Sean so close, so at ease in

himself upright, rage burning in his eyes. "Let her go!"

to look at him. He just tightened his hold on Claire and started to lead

charged after them, fist raised. "I said,

slap across Brian's face. "Enough!

looked at her son in utter disappointment. "Brian, you've let

been cursed to end up with someone like you in the family. From now on, you're nothing

not like that. It's not my fault-Vanessa set me up!" Brian's voice cracked as

was too late. Claire would never forgive him. The pain was almost unbearable. Why couldn't his parents and sister understand him? The buzzing in his head grew louder, his

to direct his fury—not at Claire, not at his family-it

swinging a fist at Nathan and knocking him to the ground. He then turned

"You wretched woman! Die,

his daughter being beaten, Garnett Brown's anger boiled over. He charged at Brian,

a frenzy, was far too strong-he overpowered Garnett, pinning him to the