Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 134

She stared blankly at Claire, but Claire didn't spare her even a glance.

"Claire, I'm your mother."

"Would you rather call a stranger 'Mom' than me? Do you hate me that much?"

Realizing she was truly losing Claire's love felt like a dagger to Adah's heart, a pain more intense than any physical wound.

Tears continued to stream down Claire's face. "Living is so exhausting. I don't want to hold on anymore."

Aberdeen, filled with panic, took a few shaky steps forward, her voice trembling with an urgency and sincerity she had never felt before. "Sweetheart, don't be rash! If you jump, it will break your grandmother's heart. You're still young, with so much life ahead of you. There are so many wonderful things waiting for you to experience."

Grace, equally frantic, struggled to find the right words. "Honey, don't let unworthy people bring you down. I'll be your mother from now on. You'll be my daughter, okay?"

Claire, please, I

of despair and a yearning for peace. "I know you mean well, but I'm just so tired. The world hasn't been fair to me. I've

if you come down, I won't let anyone hurt you again. I'll

hurt beyond repair, and

can never repay your kindness in this life. I'm

her eyes and let her body tilt backward, like

"No!"

Grace, and May screamed in

time, Vincent dashed forward, wrapping his arms tightly

the hospital room, Claire was

quickly gathered around her,

holding her that he realized how frail she had become, her body so

words of despair, hot tears spilling