Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 497

She wished she could pull Claire into a tight embrace, just like the rest of the Tempest family did.

But Claire hated her so much.

Even in her previous life, after Claire had gotten her revenge-having her locked away in a psychiatric hospital and left to suffer-Claire still refused to forgive her.

Adah's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched the four of them, a picture of warmth and happiness. Only now did she realize, with a sudden ache, that she had never once held Claire in her arms.

In that other life, when Claire returned to the Linwood family from the orphanage, Adah had worried about how Vanessa might feel, so she'd neglected Claire, even going so far as to show Vanessa affection right in front of her.

Now, in this life, even the simple act of hugging her own daughter had become an impossible luxury.

Adah drew in a shaky breath, refusing to let the tears fall.

She simply stood there, quietly watching her daughter being cherished by others.

It was a long while before Mr. Tempest, Mrs. Tempest, and Orion finally let go of Claire.

Mrs. Tempest stroked Claire's hair gently. "Eight years gone in a flash. Our little girl's grown into a young lady."

eyes were full of concern. "You've grown up, Claire, but you've gotten thinner. Did you not

of you that you'll

warmth bloomed in Claire's heart.

her hand to

lips curled into a faint smile. He extended his long,

and Sean walked out of the hospital

to say to Claire, but when the words rose to her lips, she couldn't speak them. In the end, she just stood

side, bitterness etched

as if he and Claire shouldn't be strangers. Deep down, he sensed

than just meeting for the first time. But the truth was, this was their first encounter,

know who he was.

Claire was a brilliant scientist, a rising

come from a wealthy family, but they were just

knew he wasn't good

Vl

so why didn't Sean? The Foster

thought about it, the more unsettled he