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."

only

Sean had

scene-if he did, Sean might really keep

he swallowed his frustration and waited at the

by, his patience wearing thinner by the second,

an eternity, Sean and Amara emerged from

Amara

pink dress, her picture of a

ponytail et She looked

the

a girl.

in a black suit, exuding an air of authority, a stern edge to his

them, he hurried over, anxiety making his voice sharp. "Where are

glance, his tone leaving

get in

quickly opened the door and slid

was filled with

a decade. Maybe Claire had arranged for a lunch at a hotel, and they

would be nice—sharing a meal, talking things

the car ride, watching the scenery roll