Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 472

Nathan scrambled to shield himself as she hit him, stumbling back in desperation. "You crazy woman, stop it! Are you out of your mind?" he shouted.

But Adah was seething with rage, and she didn't let up for a second. Her blows only grew fiercer, and in no time, Nathan's face was bruised and swollen.

Vanessa had already shrunk into a corner, terrified into silence. She was young, but not stupid-she could tell her mother had changed. Ever since that birthday party at the Tempest estate, the way her mom looked at her had shifted, filled with resentment, as if she were just something to be thrown away.

Ethan stood frozen, watching his father take the beating without saying a word.

Finally, Adah stopped, breathless and shaking from exhaustion. She jabbed a finger at Nathan, her voice raw with fury. "And what gives you the right, Nathan, to lecture my son?"

Nathan clenched his jaw. "I was only trying to do what's best for him! And for this, you attack me? Adah, you're completely out of control. You're acting like some hysterical shrew!"

"Out of control? A shrew? Ha!" Adah suddenly let out a bitter laugh, and tears began streaming down her cheeks as she laughed and sobbed all at once.

"You talk about Vanessa being spoiled, that she can't handle hardship. But what about my own son-he's supposed to just suffer? And my daughter-the baby you abandoned at the orphanage she deserved that, did she?"

Nathan's heart skipped a beat.

But...how could she possibly

I have no idea what you

hand shot up, and she slapped him hard

daughter at an orphanage, and then had the nerve to bring Vanessa-the affair's bastard-into my home and make me raise her. You are

at her

She really knows.

Nothing to say?" Adah's face was streaked

The truth

was out,

and Nathan

if it's true? Your father forced me into this family, treated me like trash. The old man got what he

handling an

expect you to figure it out

boiled over, and she seized a broom, swinging it

Vanessa, shielding her as he

steps, but they were gone. The broom