Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 84

"Since Mrs. Linwood won't speak, let me do the honors. Your so-called well-

behaved daughter pushed her best friend down the stairs five years ago, leaving her in a coma.

And it was also your cherished daughter who, on the very day I returned home five years later, falsely accused me of ruining her birthday dress, turning me into a pariah at Cresthaven in front of all the guests.

Not to mention, she used the same trick again, framing me for pushing her down the stairs, which led Nathan to whip me with a belt. I even had to cut off a finger to repay a debt I owe, yet even as I lay in the hospital, she wouldn't let up, telling Attorney Lewis about everything.

What do you want? Are you just itching for Attorney Lewis to press charges against me?"

Claire's raw accusation cut through the air, each word landing like a physical blow on Adah's heart, bringing tears to her eyes.

"Claire..."

"Mrs. Linwood!" Claire's voice was sharp and demanding, "Do you really not know what Vanessa has done, or are you just pretending to be clueless?"

genuinely unaware of the injustice I've suffered, or do

that," Adah

nothing to soften Claire's heart; they

treat me like a fool, watching me yearn for your maternal love. Do you feel accomplished? Do you laugh about

for you is

laughter, tears almost springing from her eyes, though her stomach ached with the effort, and

pain brought

say you love me, yet

Cresthaven Academy, a student at Prestige University five years ago. Look at me now. I'm a madwoman, a cripple, a convict who will never lift

wing out of love, but your love for me was to thrust me into hell. What gives you the right to say your love for us is

words, shook her head desperately, "No, it's not like

with her innocent façade, looked at Claire with tear-filled eyes, "Sister, I know you hate me. It's one thing to bully me, but why do you

clutched Vanessa, weeping, "Vanessa, stop saying that. It's all my fault." And so, mother and daughter wept, locked in an