Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 417

Ethan suddenly grabbed Amara by the arms, his eyes locked on her face,

brimming with guilt and remorse.

Amara stared at the man kneeling on the floor, her expression puzzled. "Mister, do you know my mom?"

Mom?

A look of confusion flickered across Ethan's face.

He'd been so shaken by seeing a face nearly identical to Claire's that, in his daze, he hadn't realized the girl in front of him was only twelve or thirteen.

It wasn't until Amara's question that he finally noticed-she was far too young to be Claire.

Ethan studied the child more carefully. The resemblance to Claire was striking, but up close, he could see the differences. Claire had grown up without affection, carrying an air of insecurity. Years of neglect had left her hair dull and brittle, her skin sallow, her body frail and gaunt.

But the little girl before him was nothing like that. She had long, glossy black hair and flawless, fair skin, her face radiating confidence and quiet dignity. There wasn't a trace of self-doubt about her-she was clearly a child who had grown up surrounded by love.

red, his voice trembling. "You... you said

are

He pulled Amara into a sudden embrace. "I'm your mother's brother. I'm your

but distant. At the mention that this man

She shoved Ethan away.

hard in a puddle that splashed up around

looked up, meeting

pang of pain

out as if to touch Amara's cheek. Maybe, he thought, if he could just be gentle with this face, he could make up for all he'd failed to give

Claire had

a word of praise, even a

small wish had never come

tried to reach for Amara, only for her to take

in disbelief as he realized how coldly Amara regarded him, how much she

anything like Claire,

not having a mother, she had