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.

Sean so close, so at ease in each other's

in his eyes. "Let her go!"

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

after them, fist

forward and delivered a resounding slap across Brian's face. "Enough! Have you lost

"Brian, you've let us

"It's a disgrace to have you as a brother. I must've been cursed to end up with someone like you in the family. From now

me up!" Brian's voice cracked as he shook his head

pain was almost unbearable. Why couldn't his parents and sister understand him? The buzzing in his head grew louder, his eyes

nowhere to direct his fury—not at Claire, not at

screamed, swinging a fist at Nathan and knocking him to the ground. He

"You wretched woman! Die,

broke down in tears, sobbing and screaming in pain. Seeing his daughter being beaten, Garnett Brown's anger boiled over. He charged at Brian, and

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