Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 278

No one could say exactly when it started, but at some point, he had stopped calling her Ms. Linwood. Now, every time they spoke, he seemed to insist on drawing her close, making sure they faced each other directly.

"Mr. Foster, is there something you need?" Claire's voice was soft, with a faint tremble.

Sean's reply was deep and even, almost casual. "Brian's parents are here. They've brought Irene."

His tone made it sound like the most ordinary news, but Claire instantly felt a tension settle over the room, heavy and unyielding.

Her pupils constricted in shock.

The moment she had waited and hoped for—endured five years for—had finally arrived.

Though Jeffry had already uncovered the truth, Irene's presence meant everything to Claire. Irene was the only one who could truly clear her name. Only Irene's testimony could finally, completely, lift the injustice that had haunted Claire for five long years.

Letting Sean's guiding hand lead her, Claire sat down beside him.

Sean turned slightly, giving a quiet instruction to Grace. "Grace, open the door. Let them in."

Outside, Jarrod and Karin had been waiting for what felt like an eternity.

Ever since Irene had told them the truth about that night, the color had drained from their faces. Guilt and regret weighed so heavily on them that neither could bear to look Claire in the eye.

For over an hour—while Claire had gotten up, washed, and eaten breakfast—this couple had stood outside Foster Manor, letting the chilly rain soak them through.

They hadn't bothered with umbrellas. It was as if, by standing there exposed to the elements, they were trying to punish themselves for their mistakes, to offer some small atonement for their wrongs against Claire.

The rain mercilessly plastered their clothes to their bodies, their hair limp and lifeless against skin that had gone pale as paper. They looked utterly wretched, every bit as broken as they felt inside.

Grace opened the front door and called out to the figures waiting beyond the iron gate, "You can come in now."

Jarrod and Karin flinched at her words, as if the sound itself was a blow.

In that instant, their legs felt like they'd turned to lead. It was all they could do to take a single step.