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."

her left hand, while Mrs. Tempest clasped

hand, the three of them strolled toward the villa, radiating the warmth of a perfectly happy

all but forgotten, was Orion, his small face set in a

back. "Come

The tight line of his mouth softened ever so

knew it—his little sister would never

hadn't lied: his sister was as adorable and sweet as promised, and he already

family was far

yel

elegant style that spoke of old money-rich mahogany, gleaming

couches worth a small fortune, and that was just the tip of

and custom details the kind of craftsmanship that cost more than

her past life, what had she missed

dazed, Mrs. Tempest led her upstairs and opened the door to a

a dreamy, sunlit space decorated in every shade of pink-a princess's

bathing everything in a

made just for you.

three times the size of any she'd ever had—and absolutely flooded

the Linwood house. They hadn't even bothered to