Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 369

Nathan's words came out slurred and broken, but his eyes were pleading— desperate, even.

Unlike Vanessa's wild madness or Adah's vacant confusion, Nathan, though left partially paralyzed by his stroke, still had full awareness. His mind was sharp; he just couldn't move like he used to.

Returning to these mountains had been a never-ending nightmare for him. The people here treated him with open hostility. His own father was the worst—if he wasn't beating or berating Nathan, he'd simply withhold food and water, leaving Nathan to lie helpless in his own filth, completely indifferent to the fact that this was his son.

Now, seeing Claire, it was as if Nathan had caught sight of his last lifeline. All pride forgotten, he begged her-begged her to have mercy on her father.

Claire lowered her gaze, meeting Nathan's desperate eyes. A cold, cruel smile spread across her face.

"Nathan, what makes you think I'd ever take you home?"

"Was it when you dumped me in an orphanage? Or maybe it was when you carved out one of my kidneys for Vanessa?"

Her voice grew icier with every word, each syllable a knife twisting in Nathan's chest.

and heartless you'd destroy your own wife and child. Whatever hell you're living now, you brought

her words landed, Claire lashed out, kicking Nathan hard and sending him sprawling to the ground. Blood

his mouth working desperately, still trying to beg-even if his words

him, unmoved, watching him writhe in the

eyes how you and Vanessa would end up. Now that I have,

pupils shrank

He couldn't stay here. He wanted out. He wanted

won't you? It was all Sophia Shaw's fault-she and Garnett Brown tricked me. Everything was

matter how hard he tried, the

from Nathan and landed

stray dog dragged from a river-soaked, filthy,

thin, chilling smile. “Vanessa, my kidney's been in your body

didn't matter. Meeting Claire's cold,

panic, until she tumbled

by step, and found Vanessa curled up in a corner, arms wrapped tight around herself, shaking like a