Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 16

In the cramped little attic, the only furnishings were a worn-out folding bed and a few sparse, basic belongings. Everything else was clutter—boxes, old books, and forgotten knick-knacks. The walls were yellowed, exuding a musty odor, while cobwebs collected in the corners.

Seeing the state of the place, Ethan was seething with anger. "May, what were you thinking? Claire is my sister. Who allowed her to live in this dump?"

May, feeling wronged and helpless, replied, "Sir, wasn't it you who told Miss Claire to stay here in the first place? Have you forgotten?"

"When did I ever..."

Ethan stopped mid-sentence as memories rushed back to him.

Eight years ago, when Claire was brought back home, he had let her choose a room.

Claire had picked the guest room next to his bedroom, which he immediately rejected, "I plan to turn that into my study. Pick another."

Then, Claire chose the room adjacent to Vanessa's. He refused again, "Vanessa wants to make that her art studio. You can't stay there."

Finally, Claire settled on the attic, only for him to object once more, "You are a Linwood; if people knew you lived in the attic, they'd laugh at us. May, isn't there another room?"

"We do have another space, but it's just a storage room..."

"Then clear it out and let her stay there temporarily."

He had assumed the storage room was as bright and airy as the guest rooms, never imagining it lacked even a window.

His mind involuntarily conjured images of Claire enduring endless cold, lonely nights in this dreary room, intensifying the ache in his heart.

In the vast mansion where even the staff enjoyed private rooms, his own sister had been relegated to a damp, dark storage space for three long years.

The realization nearly suffocated him.