Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 399

The Foster Family

The sewing room was shrouded in gloom, heavy curtains shutting out every ray of sunlight. The air inside was thick with a suffocating silence, as if the room itself had given up breathing.

Sean slumped in a chair by the window, his figure gaunt and drawn. His pajamas -once crisp and elegant, always a mark of his refined taste-now hung limply from his thin frame, wrinkled and unkempt.

His eyes were hollow, staring at nothing, as if his soul had quietly slipped away, leaving only an empty shell in its place.

In his hands he clutched a piece of embroidery, *Radiant Beauty*. His long fingers traced the delicate threads again and again, moving with a gentle, absentminded tenderness. It was as if he was searching for a lingering trace of Claire's warmth in the fabric, desperate to hold on to what was lost.

The door creaked softly open. Grace stood on the threshold.

The moment she saw Sean-so pale, so haggard her eyes filled with tears.

Her voice trembled with worry and affection as she called quietly, "Master Sean, please come downstairs for some dinner."

But Sean didn't even seem to hear her. He gave no sign that her words had registered.

offer comfort, but her throat felt blocked. A thousand words swirled on

away,

stepped into the hallway, she nearly bumped into

dignified, now moved with a slight stoop. Her eyes were ringed with exhaustion, and it seemed as if she had aged

"Ma'am, please will you try talking to Master Sean? He's been like this for over a month now. If he's not drinking, he's sitting here, just staring at Claire's embroidery all day long. I'm worried his body won't hold out

hold back her tears any longer. They spilled over, her

such a good girl-how could she be gone

God is so unfair.

eyes filled with tears as

in two. She'd fainted more than once. For over a month now, she couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. Every quiet night brought back memories of Claire's sweet smile, her gentle, thoughtful ways, and

only just begun to dull in

could not return. The living had to go

to the doorway of the sewing room, peering

was absolute. Sean didn't

she's gone, Sean. She wouldn't want to see you like this. You have to find the strength to carry on, for her

No matter what she said, Sean remained motionless, lost in his own