Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 415

After all, during those three years, not a single member of the family had shown Claire even a shred of care-only three years of relentless hurt.

Now, after reading her diary, the memories crashed over Ethan like tidal waves. He saw it all play out in his mind: every bitter argument, every cruel punishment, every time the family lashed out at Claire—either with words or worse.

Scene after scene replayed themselves, each one more painful than the last. Over those years, the ways they'd hurt her, sometimes intentionally, sometimes without even realizing it, must have numbered in the hundreds. Nearly every week, Claire had been humiliated or punished for one reason or another.

Those images tormented Ethan, leaving him in utter agony. His head felt like it might explode, pain and guilt pounding until it seemed his mind might shatter under the weight.

"Claire," he choked out, "I'm so sorry. I promise you, I'll spend the rest of my life making this up to you."

He slid the diary back into the drawer, stumbling from the room as if the floor were tilting beneath him.

He had to find Claire. He had to get down on his knees before her and beg for forgiveness.

With his hair disheveled and tear tracks streaking his face, Ethan dashed straight for the front door.

Every person he saw, he stopped and grabbed. "Have you seen my sister?"

"Your sister? Who's your sister?"

seen Claire

people just shook their heads. "Sorry, don't know her. Haven't seen

one person to the next, growing

a shake of the head, a raised hand, a look of confusion.

on the busy street, his eyes hollow

Claire, why aren't you home? Where did you go? I know now I know I was

"

have to find her. I need to apologize to

Ethan muttered the words over and over, almost in

eyes lit up.

years ago, Claire left with Sean.

lifeline. Without a second thought, Ethan took off

faster and faster, as if each step could close the distance between him

and dread-hope that he'd finally see

he arrived in front of the Foster

coldly in the sunlight,

rushed forward, pounding on the gates with both fists. "Please, let me in! I need to see Claire!" he shouted, his voice raw

of suppressed guilt and

I'm out now. I came to see you. Are you in there? If you