Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 43

Claire sat on the park bench for what felt like an eternity, long enough for the skies to darken and the streetlights to flicker to life, one by one. The soft, amber glow of the lamps bathed her in a melancholic light as she sat there, unmoving.

Her eyes were distant, staring into the void, while the passing cars rushed by, their gusts of wind tangling her hair—the perfect metaphor for the chaos of her life.

Not far away, Vincent stood within the shadows, silently watching her. Seeing her slender figure, he felt an ache, as if countless needles were piercing his heart, spreading pain throughout every corner of his being.

He longed to step forward, to wrap her in his arms, and confess his regrets. He was willing to atone for the decisions he had made, if only she would grant him the chance to make amends, no matter the cost.

Yet, fear held him back. He dreaded that his approach might rekindle her disdain and resistance, that the chasm between them would become even more insurmountable due to his actions.

So, he stood behind her, watching from a distance.

As night deepened, Claire finally rose, her movements slow and weary, and began to make her way toward the Linwood family residence.

Vincent snapped back to reality, trailing her from afar...

It was fully dark by the time Claire reached the Linwood family home. As she approached, she spotted May standing anxiously at the villa's entrance. Upon seeing Claire, May's worried expression melted into a relieved smile as she hurried forward.

"Miss Claire, you're finally back," May said, her eyes scanning Claire with concern. When she noticed the bandage on Claire's forehead and her pallid complexion, a flicker of pain crossed her face. "Miss Claire, what happened to you?"

Claire shook her head slightly. "It's nothing."

May was still skeptical. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," Claire replied with a nod, taking a deep breath to steady her voice. "How is Mandy?"

May's face brightened instantly, her smile full of gratitude. "Thanks to the young master’s intervention, the school won’t expel Mandy."

Inside, the Linwood family was gathered around the dining table, enjoying a lively meal. The table was laden with sumptuous dishes, and the four of them were laughing and chatting, a picture of perfect contentment.

Her arrival shattered the scene's warmth.

Ethan set down his fork, his face openly displaying disdain. He skipped any pleasantries, opting instead for a sharp tongue. "Oh, you decided to come back. I thought you’d run away from home again."

Adah frowned, casting Ethan a reproachful glance. "Ethan, that's no way to speak to your sister."

Then she turned to Claire with a gentle smile, waving her over. "Claire, don’t mind your brother. Come join us for dinner."

Despite Adah’s warm demeanor, Claire remained aloof. "No, thank you. You all enjoy," she replied, her voice cool and detached.