Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 485

Claire Tempest's heart clenched, a web of pain slowly unfurling in her chest.

Of course May didn't recognize her; she hadn't seen her in this life, so how could she know her face?

Claire had braced herself for this. She'd told herself again and again to expect it. But now, standing here, actually facing it, the ache was more than she could bear.

In her previous life, May had been the only one in the Linwood family who cared for her-who loved her, protected her.

Now, fate had twisted things so that she and May were nothing but strangers.

A sting crept into Claire's nose, the threat of tears rising. She quickly dropped her gaze, hiding any sign of emotion.

Her voice came out soft and gentle, almost melodic.

"Ma'am, my name is Claire. I'm here to see Mrs. Linwood."

May paused, taken aback for a moment, before she recovered. "You must mean Ms. Jones, right?"

Ms. Jones?

Was she referring to Adah Jones Linwood?

that during the years Claire had buried herself in research, Adah and Nathan Linwood's

a small smile.

replied warmly,

house, it felt as if she'd slipped back in time -right to the day

her memories,

her off guard, though, was the scene unfolding in the living room: Ethan Linwood was kneeling beside the sofa, while Adah stood over him, her expression cold

Ethan's face was

twisted in

to you? You used to adore

we were little, but

did you divorce Dad,

his mother. "So what if Vanessa's legitimate? She's

do you have to punisher? Her health is already fragile, but you keep yelling at her, even hitting her. If anything happens to her, it'll be

Ethan's every word was a

wasn't a shred of empathy for her in

wife to raise her. If Adan hadn't regained memories of her past life, she'd have gone on just as before-raising Vanessa Linwood, showering her

her own daughter was

ever have to endure