Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 406

"Don't be scared, sweetheart. It's all right now. I'm sorry-I should've been here sooner." Sean gently patted Amara's back, his voice low and soothing as he tried to calm her trembling sobs.

Amara finally loosened her grip and lifted her tear-streaked face, meeting Sean's gaze with a surprising steadiness in her eyes. "You're the best, Daddy. The very best in the whole world."

Sean's expression softened completely. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "I promise, I'll never be late again."

"Okay." Amara buried her small head against his broad chest, though she still couldn't stop the occasional hiccup of tears.

Sean's heart ached for her. In two years, his precious daughter had never cried like this—not until today, when a madwoman had terrified her.

He glanced toward the woman sprawled on the ground. Only then did he realize who she was-Claire's mother, Adah.

Adah struggled to sit up, reaching desperately for Amara in Sean's arms. "Claire! My Claire..."

Sean's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. Love that comes too late is worth less than nothing.

When Claire was alive, suffering at the hands of the Linwoods, Adah had never spoken up, never shielded her daughter from cruelty. Now Claire was gone, and Adah had suddenly reappeared, mistaking Amara for the daughter she'd failed to protect. This belated compassion was sickening.

to it I never have to look at her

moved in, gripping Adah

snot streaking her face. "No! Please, don't

and pleading. "Claire, come home with Mommy, won't

in Sean's embrace, her small body

close, carrying her to the waiting

Give me back my daughter!" Adah wailed, thrashing as they

after the departing car in terror. "Don't take my

as steel. "Your daughter died two years

She can't be dead. My Claire is still alive—she's going to live

eyes vacant and haunted, her

broken figure, but Jeffry felt no sympathy. He

not to leave again," he

"Don't worry, sir. She'll never get

chains. For the rest

life haunted by memories of