Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 413

He'd treated Claire the way he did back then solely to protect Vanessa.

At the time, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world-a justifiable act. He never once considered that he might be in the wrong.

But looking back now, he was horrified at how cruel he'd been to a girl who was only fifteen.

And that was just what happened in the first two days after Claire came home.

For the three years she lived with them, incidents like this happened constantly- sometimes every other day.

Ethan felt as if an invisible hand had tightened around his heart, squeezing so hard he could barely breathe.

Pain twisted his face. His brows knitted together in agony, sweat beading on his forehead and mingling with the tears that streamed down his cheeks.

Ten years in prison had forced him into a strict routine, and even his chronic stomach problems had improved over time. But now, a sharp, gut-wrenching pain tore through him, just like the time he'd collapsed with a bleeding ulcer. The agony was so intense, he wished he could just pass out.

He couldn't stay upright any longer. He collapsed onto the narrow cot, curling his body in on itself, clutching the diary to his chest as bitter tears of regret spilled down his face. Over and over, he whispered, "Claire, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

He had no idea how much time passed before the pain in his stomach finally subsided.

cold sweat, leaving him so weak he could barely

upright, Ethan reached with trembling hands to turn the

---

2007. Sunday.

spent a week in the hospital. Today, I get to go

days, I've felt hurt and

running themselves ragged, terrified

to care when they got sick. You just lay in bed, battling illness alone,

system to

finally had a family. Even if

the only ones who truly cared when I was

blame them for never listening to my side of the story-but I can't

to them, maybe one day they'll

I was actually excited

this time I'd finally be accepted. Even

everything that's happened,

still

longed to belong.