Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 447

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I was wrong, Claire- will you forgive me?"

Even though Claire hadn't been burned, just picturing her-so small-in the kitchen cooking made Orion's eyes redden with guilt and heartache.

Claire had grown up in an orphanage, a place where life was rarely kind. No wonder she knew how to cook; she'd probably had to fend for herself more times than he could imagine.

But she was only five-a child, really.

The more Orion thought about it, the more it hurt. He bent down and gently blew on Claire's tiny hand.

"Does it hurt? Is it burned?"

Looking at Orion, whose eyes brimmed with tears for her sake, Claire felt a strange warmth in her heart.

In her previous life, when she was with the Linwood family, she'd given them everything—her loyalty, her affection, her trust. But no matter how hard she tried, she never got their love in return.

They never cared about her. They always acted as if everything she did was simply expected.

Now, though, she finally had a brother who truly worried about her.

It felt so good. She knew, deep down, that being adopted by the Tempest family was the best decision she'd ever made.

"Don't worry, Orion. I'm fine."

"Promise me you won't do that again. From now on, you're not allowed in the kitchen."

"Okay."

with warmth and affection, the scene unfolding at the Foster estate was quite the opposite—a

home, Sean returned, a kitchen knife clenched in his fist, and pushed open the

bed, scrolling through her phone, shot

"Wh-what are you doing?"

Sean's face was cold and sinister, a far cry from the innocent, gentle boy he'd been with

to throw Claire

across her face. "No, no, you've got it all

leaned against the wall, twirling the fruit knife between his fingers with a

young face, making his

Sean most when he

was capable of when

reckless he could be when pushed

girl. Kids love to be picked up by grown-ups, don't they? I

a hug,

think, I

word I say is true. If there's a single lie,

I've been good these last five years you know

his dark eyes so cold and deep they seemed to

eyes made Yvonne's knees threaten to give

your stepmother, you

lesson. I guess you've forgotten

so terrified she nearly lost control of

there was