Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 412

Claire’s eyes were red and brimming with tears as she shook her head desperately. “No, I didn’t… I swear, I didn’t…”

But he cut her off without the slightest hint of compassion. “Don’t call me your brother. I don’t have a sister as twisted as you. To me, Vanessa’s my only sister now.”

He didn’t even seem to notice Claire’s blood-streaked hands. Instead, he gathered up the allergic, barely conscious Vanessa and, with their parents in tow, rushed her to the hospital. They didn’t return until late that evening.

By the time they came back, the dining room had already been cleaned, and Claire was waiting for them, curled up on the living room sofa.

As soon as they walked in, she stood up to greet them, her concern for Vanessa genuine. “How is Vanessa? Did the doctor say she’s alright?”

But her brother only accused her of putting on an act.

Their father’s face was cold and unforgiving. “If you really feel sorry for Vanessa, then prove it—kneel here all night. Anyone can mouth empty apologies, but actions show sincerity. If you can’t bring yourself to kneel, then leave. Go back to the orphanage. The Linwood family won’t keep someone so cruel they’d even hurt their own sister.”

Despair flickered in Claire’s eyes, but she bit back her tears and slowly sank to her knees.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Dad, Mom, I know I was wrong. I’ll reflect on what I did.”

Her brother looked down at her kneeling on the floor and felt not a shred of pity.

He just said coldly, “You’re just putting on a show.”

With that, he turned and headed upstairs.

Their father had been frantic then, bringing in the best doctors and buying the most expensive medicine to treat her.

At the time, he’d just thought it was the strength of a father’s love. Only now did he realize the truth—he was terrified that if Claire died, Vanessa would have no one left to take a kidney from.

Ethan sat on the fold-out cot, his journal slipped from his grasp and lay open on the floor.

His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Tears slid silently down his cheeks, splashing onto the yellowed pages and blurring the ink.

“Claire… I’m sorry… I was wrong… Where are you?” Ethan’s voice broke as he choked on his regret.