Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 523

Claire didn't spare Adah another glance. She climbed straight into the car.

She couldn't even forgive Nathan-so how could she possibly forgive Adah?

In her previous life, Adah's cruelty had gone beyond even Nathan's.

Nathan's malice, at least, sprang from the belief that Vanessa was his own flesh and blood. But Adah-Adah had always known Vanessa was adopted, and yet she still chose to humiliate her own daughter for the sake of another.

Coming back to life hadn't erased those memories. Just because she had another chance didn't mean the past could be rewritten.

If she ever forgave Adah and Nathan-those people-then how could she live with herself, knowing Mandy had thrown her life away for revenge? Mandy, who had killed for her sake.

So no, she wouldn't forgive. Not now, not ever.

The car door closed with a soft click, and as the car pulled away, Adah was left standing alone at the curb, staring after it in a daze.

She whispered to herself, "This is what I deserve. I don't deserve your forgiveness."

"But still... I don't have much time left. I just wanted to hear you call me 'Mom' one last time before I go."

Adah felt all her strength leave her. Her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed -until a steady hand reached out to catch her.

She looked up into Ethan's worried eyes.

"Mom, are you alright?”

her head

of prison—a ten-year sentence. He'd been

years behind bars had stripped him of all his pride. Oddly, prison had become almost familiar to him, as though he'd lived that life before. He couldn't explain it. It had been his first time serving time, so why did it feel

nightmares-they never

sister-yelling at her, hitting her. He dreamed of the way Vanessa faked her innocence, and how his whole family had been blind to the truth. In

torturing him, until he was nearly mad with

why he kept having those dreams—until he came home and finally told

It had all

been abused by her own family until she

wonder he was plagued by nightmares—he'd committed so

forgive us.

Adah's chest. Suddenly, a hot metallic taste filled her mouth and nose-she coughed, and blood spilled onto her hand.

Ethan shouted, terror in

bitter, broken laugh. This was

she'd done.

At the hospital.

slowly, the

IV from her hand and climbed out of bed, heading for

pale light. She ripped

as she reached for the handle, she heard the