Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 432

Her eyelids grew heavy, and before long, she drifted off to sleep.

Several hours later, the car glided quietly into Northcrest City.

Still fast asleep, Claire only began to stir when someone gently lifted her. As she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Mr. Tempest's handsome face looming close, his features soft with affection.

"Is Claire awake?" Mr. Tempest murmured, pausing mid-motion as he tried to cradle her gently in his arms. He moved with such care, as if afraid even the slightest jostle might wake her-but, despite his efforts, Claire was already awake.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Mr. Tempest's mind. Why did she have to wake up so soon?

His brand-new daughter looked so adorably small and soft, like a marshmallow. He imagined how wonderful it would feel to hold her-so different from his eldest son, who was all angles and stubbornness and not the least bit cuddly.

Just as he reached for another chance to snuggle his precious girl, Claire sat up and, ever the polite child, held up a tiny hand to stop him.

"Daddy, I can walk by myself."

With that, Claire hopped out of the car, beaming up at Mr. Tempest with a bright, expectant smile, as if to say, Look at me, Dad! Aren't I amazing?

Mr. Tempest blinked, caught between laughter and resignation. So much for hugging his sweet daughter.

He mustered a chuckle. "Amazing. Our Claire is the best."

while Mrs. Tempest clasped

the villa, radiating the warmth

but forgotten, was Orion, his small face set in

glanced back. "Come on, Orion! Don't fall

eyes. The tight line of his mouth softened ever

knew it—his little sister

was as adorable and sweet as promised, and he

was stunned. The Tempest family was far wealthier than she had ever imagined.

yel

style that spoke of old money-rich

couches worth a small fortune, and that

details the kind of craftsmanship that

her past life, what

Mrs. Tempest led her upstairs and

sunlit space decorated in every shade

the windows, bathing everything in a warm,

made just for you. Do you like it?" Mrs.

was spacious-easily three times the size of any

day at the Linwood house. They hadn't even bothered