Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 54

"Claire, listen to your mother, it's not what you think. If there's anything you're troubled about, please talk to me. I promise I'll listen," Adah pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

Claire let out a bitter laugh. "It's too late."

"Mrs. Linwood, I have nothing left to say. Out of respect for you as the woman who gave birth to me, I won't harm you. But Nathan and Vanessa, they must pay today. Once I've dealt with them, I'll turn myself in."

Adah's face turned ghostly pale, her eyes wide with terror.

"Claire, don't do this. Killing is irreversible. You're so young; you'll regret it. I'm begging you, put the knife down," Adah cried out, her voice hoarse with fear and urgency.

See? This is human nature.

When she threatened to drag them down with her, they were ready to compromise. But now, it was too late for that.

"Regret? My only regret is coming back to this house."

"Mrs. Linwood, tell me, have you ever felt a hint of remorse for what you've done

I was locked up and tortured in that prison, where were

were you? Your heart was only ever with Vanessa, the outsider, never with me,

kept calling me a disgrace, a criminal. But who is the real criminal? It's Vanessa. She framed me, and you turned a blind eye, even became her accomplice, pinning all the blame on

one to blame

me, tell me now-" Claire's shout made Adah tremble

"Then what is it?"

II

I must be right. Let's all go down

gleaming coldly

she threw her arms

like a trapped, wild animal.

I'm not Mrs. Linwood, I'm your

"No, you're not!"

am, I gave birth to you. Claire, please

lighting a flicker of hope in Adah's heart,