Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 366

There-that was where Nathan and Vanessa were.

Sean gently set Claire down, and together, the three of them walked toward the cluster of run-down houses.

The closer they got, the faster Claire's heart pounded in her chest. Painful memories crashed over her like a relentless tide. She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself.

Sensing her anxiety, Sean squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Jeffry, who had personally brought Nathan and Vanessa here years ago, knew exactly where they lived. With him leading the way, Sean and Claire followed into the remote, backward village.

The villagers had dark, weathered skin and wore clothes patched so many times it was hard to tell the original fabric. Everything looked dirty and threadbare.

As Claire, Sean, and Jeffry made their way through, the villagers' eyes locked onto them, following their every step with the intensity of searchlights.

in front

up in—a sagging, ramshackle cottage with crumbling walls and a roof missing more than a few tiles, as if the whole thing could cave

with chickens and ducks running wild and a foul stench hanging in the

door, they heard

and never looked back. Not a single letter, not a damn phone call! You lived it up out

just like your whore of a mother-worthless! I spent every dime I had to bring that tramp into this house, and she still turned

killed her myself. She finally gave me a son, and look at you-a thankless, ungrateful wretch! If I'd known, I'd have tossed you both out to the dogs the day you were

Eat dirt, you piece of

was shoved out the

hit the ground with a heavy

the ground, unable to get up, unable to speak, only able to let out guttural, agonized

filthy rags that reeked, his body gaunt and wasted, cheeks hollow, cheekbones sharp. His exposed skin was a patchwork of scars, evidence of countless