Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 419

He had made plenty of mistakes back then-no one could deny that.

But that was a decade ago.

Time dulls even the sharpest pain, or so people say. Besides, he'd spent ten years behind bars, paying off his debt to society in full.

Claire was so kind-hearted. Ethan believed that if he apologized sincerely, she'd find it in herself to forgive him.

Clinging to that hopeful thought, Ethan returned home.

He barely slept a wink that night. His mind kept replaying memories of Claire, each moment of pain he'd caused her now a thorn lodged deep in his heart.

Again and again, he told himself: Tomorrow, I'll do better. No matter what it takes, I'll make Claire forgive me.

Claire was soft-hearted. Surely, after hearing he'd spent ten years in prison and seeing the state he was in now, she'd let the past go.

The next morning, Ethan got up early. He stood in front of the mirror, carefully straightening his suit and knotting his tie, even spritzing on a trace of cologne.

He wanted to look respectable-after all, this was the first time he'd see Claire in ten years. He needed to make a good impression.

Taking a deep breath, he finally stepped out the door.

When he arrived at the Foster estate, a security guard stopped him at the gate. Ethan frowned, impatience edging into his voice. "Step aside."

didn't budge, only

remembering what Sean had told him, he

did, Sean might really keep him from seeing

swallowed his frustration and waited at the

patience wearing thinner by the

after what seemed like an eternity, Sean

Amara

her picture of a

in a neat ponytail et She looked

the

a girl.

always, was dressed in a black suit, exuding an air of authority, a

sharp. "Where are you going? Weren't you supposed

cool glance, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If

see Claire, get

of hope lit inside Ethan. He quickly

he noticed the car was filled with flowers. Confused, he kept quiet,

first meeting in a decade. Maybe Claire had arranged for

meal, talking things over, maybe

of the car ride,