Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 403

Sean's throat tightened as if something had lodged there, so dry he could barely make a sound. Grief churned inside his chest, raw and relentless.

He looked down at his daughter's clear, hopeful eyes, and it felt as though a thousand steel needles pierced straight through his heart.

He couldn't bear to let her know the cruel truth-that her mother was gone forever.

But lying to his daughter was even harder.

Sean was silent for a long while before he finally managed to speak, his voice strained. "Sweetheart, Mommy's gone somewhere far away now. But she's up in the sky, always watching over you. Her biggest wish is for you to grow up happy."

The little girl nodded as if she understood, a flicker of sadness in her gaze, but she quickly brightened and beamed up at him. "Then, Daddy, let's go home now!"

Seeing his daughter so gentle and mature for her age made Sean's eyes sting with tears. He pulled her slender, fragile body close, holding her to his chest.

Maybe it was a father's instinct, or maybe the bond between them was just that strong, but even though Sean tried so hard to hide his sorrow, his daughter sensed it instantly.

his head. "Don't cry, Daddy.

Sean's heart ache more. "Alright, Daddy won't cry. Let's go home,

leave, but she suddenly said, "Wait, Daddy-I haven't

her back into Liam's

of alcohol, but it was spotless; everything was

that during the days his daughter stayed here, this tiny two- year-old had been

found Liam slumped

the life

drained

of him. Sean let out a heavy sigh. "Liam, you've got to look forward. I'll give you three days

as empty and dry

moved, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he swallowed

and walked to Liam's side, reaching up to gently touch his face. "Mr. Liam, you have to get better soon, okay? My daddy's here to take me

up at Sean, confusion written all over his