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

me? When I was locked up and tortured in

and left with a broken leg, where were you? Your heart was only

turned a blind eye, even became her accomplice, pinning all the blame on me. Now that I'm

to blame when I've done nothing

shout made Adah tremble helplessly. "Claire, it's not

"Then what is it?"

II

be right. Let's all go down

gleaming coldly in the light,

wide as saucers. Instinctively, she threw her

wild

face. "Claire, I'm not Mrs. Linwood, I'm

"No, you're not!"

am, I gave birth to you. Claire, please listen to your

struggles suddenly ceased, lighting a flicker of hope in Adah's heart, thinking her words had finally reached