Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 The Weight of Blame

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When Claudia opened the door, she found Clarence standing there with dark circles under his

eyes.

He was on the verge of collapse. From Jasper’s failed proposal to Lydia’s car accident, Claudia’s police report, the family quarrels, Claudia beating Lydia, Claudia burning down the old house -disaster after disaster. He had trailed after each one, cleaning up the messes, but never fast enough.

of the old house, his phone had started ringing nonstop. Every call brought a torrent of insults, vicious and inventive, until he could barely hold his head up.

After rushing to Altrix City to settle the matter en

Now, even the sound of a ringtone made hi

flinch.

At first he had thought it was a business rival, but once he realized the entire family was being At first he had thought it was a business rival, but on hounded, he knew at once this had Claudia’s fingerprints all over it.

Only she would lash out with such a petty, outrageous form of revenge.

His usually polished features were dulled with exhaustion, the famed Lancaster good looks dimmed.

“Claudia, can we call a truce?”

“You’ve made your point. The house is gone. Why keep pushing? You may hate us, but our parents are old. They can’t withstand your torment.”

Even his plea carried the weight of accusation.

Claudia lifted her chin, arms crossed. She didn’t answer–she asked instead, “How does it feel? Being scolded without anyone caring for the truth?”

Clarence’s lips tightened. “… Not good.”

“Do you remember when I was in eighth grade? Lydia’s roses withered, she cried, and you blamed me. You made me stand in the sun and plant new ones. Or the New Year’s Eve dance, when Lydia’s shoes were ruined. I barely stepped backstage before you threw mine away too. Neither of us danced that night. Or that family trip in high school–when I got lost, you accused me of luring Lydia out so she’d faint.”

Those were only the ones with clear evidence. Countless other times, blame had been hers by default.

The roses had been ripped out by a relative’s child. Lydia’s shoes had been sabotaged by an

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Chapter 20 The Weight of Blame

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envious admirer. Lydia’s fainting spell had come from Zane dragging her onto dangerous rides.

One incident after another–cach time, Claudia punished without a chance to explain.

“You never let me speak,” Claudia said flatly. “Just judgment, punishment, again and again.”

“That was because you always clashed with Lydia…” Clarence’s words faltered.

“Remember when I got into a fight in kindergarten? You rushed over from your primary school and said your sister would never be wrong. If I disliked someone, then surely the problem was them.”

Right and wrong had never mattered. Their hearts had tilted, and every excuse had bent toward Lydia.

Claudia’s gaze stayed steady, though her eyes shimmered.

“When we were little, you used to protect me like that too.”

Clarence, who had come to demand answers, left in defeat. He hadn’t even managed to ask her to call off the phone harassment.

Claudia’s sad expression vanished as soon as his back turned, replaced by cold indifference.

See? She could cry and play the victim too.

But love stolen at Lydia’s expense was meaningless. What Lydia had taken from her was not toys, not houses, but the certainty of being unconditionally cherished.

“You’re not happy?” A large hand covered her eyes.

She didn’t know how long Sterling had been standing there.

Claudia caught his hand, holding it still. “I’m fine. They won’t bother me for a few days now.”

Clarence’s guilt would buy her peace for a while.

As for Sterling’s little “curse–calling service,” she had no plans to stop it.

Why refuse someone else’s money and effort spent to avenge her? Even if Sterling had his own.

motives.

With the Lancasters kept at bay, Claudia and Sterling slipped into a housebound rhythm.

Claudia’s current work was as a freelance illustrator. After her injury had ended her dancing,

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