Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 278

No one could say exactly when it started, but at some point, he had stopped calling her Ms. Linwood. Now, every time they spoke, he seemed to insist on drawing her close, making sure they faced each other directly.

"Mr. Foster, is there something you need?" Claire's voice was soft, with a faint tremble.

Sean's reply was deep and even, almost casual. "Brian's parents are here. They've brought Irene."

His tone made it sound like the most ordinary news, but Claire instantly felt a tension settle over the room, heavy and unyielding.

Her pupils constricted in shock.

The moment she had waited and hoped for-endured five years for-had finally arrived.

Though Jeffry had already uncovered the truth, Irene's presence meant

everything to Claire. Irene was the only one who could truly clear her name. Only Irene's testimony could finally, completely, lift the injustice that had haunted Claire for five long years.

Letting Sean's guiding hand lead her, Claire sat down beside him.

giving a quiet instruction to Grace. "Grace,

had been waiting for what felt

drained from their faces. Guilt and

washed, and eaten breakfast-this couple had stood outside Foster

It was as if, by standing there exposed to the elements, they were trying to punish themselves for their mistakes, to offer some small atonement for their wrongs against

bodies, their hair limp and lifeless against skin that had gone pale as paper.

front door and called out to the figures waiting beyond the iron gate, "You

her words, as if the sound itself was a

instant, their legs felt like they'd turned to lead. It was all they

so sure of themselves, so eager to confront Claire, to shame her. And now, in the space of a day, everything had

start of Claire's nightmare,

glanced at her parents, their faces ashen with remorse. Her heart was heavy with

We owe it to Claire-there's no running from what

voice was steady, unwavering. Pushing her wheelchair forward, she led the way into

living room sofa, it was as if all the strength left their bodies. Their knees buckled, and with a dull thud, Jarrod and Karin

voice was hoarse and