Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 295

The very first thing she did upon waking was look for Claire.

Her gaze darted desperately around the room, and the moment she spotted Claire sitting quietly on the sofa, she forgot all about her own weakness and disheveled state. Nothing else mattered.

Propping herself up with trembling hands, her legs barely supporting her, she half- crawled, half-stumbled toward Claire, inching forward with sheer determination.

Tears streamed down her face, unchecked and uncontrollable.

"Claire, I was wrong. I swear I'll never take Vanessa's side again. Please, please forgive me. Your brother-your brother's in prison because of Nathan, that monster. Claire, you're all I have left."

Adah's voice cracked with sobs, hoarse and filled with despair. As a mother, she collapsed at Claire's feet, weeping bitterly, pouring out her regret. She looked utterly broken, as wretched as a person could possibly be.

But Claire remained as she had been before-expressionless, unmoved, cold as stone.

She only glanced at Adah briefly, her eyes indifferent, before turning away.

That coldness, that utter lack of feeling, drove a knife straight into Adah's heart.

Adah finally understood what it meant to be truly

her. There would be no forgiveness

realization tore at Adah's heart, leaving her gasping with

she pleaded, "Claire, are you really going to be this heartless? Are you going to abandon your

Claire's gaze never even lingered on her. She didn't hear,

this complete indifference, that hurt Adah even

stood off to the side, her face dark with anger as she spoke up, voice sharp with righteous fury. "Mrs. Linwood, you have no right to call Miss Claire heartless. In the three years

knew she spent fifteen years suffering in a group home, and when she finally returned to her family, you ignored her. Every month you sent a

every day while Claire wore the same school uniform all year round. You saw

birthday party for Vanessa alone. You only bought presents for Vanessa. Not

morning for school, came home late every night, and sometimes didn't even get a warm meal. Meanwhile, the rest of you sat at the table together, laughing, eating, enjoying yourselves. When I suggested bringing Claire something to eat, you wouldn't let me. You said if she didn't come home, she

contempt. "She was in high school, still growing, buried in homework—so hungry

like Nathan, or lied about her like Vanessa, but your cold indifference, your utter neglect those wounds cut

Linwood. How dare you accuse Claire of being heartless? How dare you blame her for turning her back

these words

years Claire spent in prison for a crime she didn't commit, May had more than once considered