Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel 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?

It seemed that during the years Claire had buried herself in research, Adah and Nathan Linwood’s lives had changed in more ways than she’d realized.

Claire nodded, managing a small smile. “Is Ms. Jones home?”

“She’s home,” May replied warmly, ushering Claire inside.

The moment Claire stepped into the house, it felt as if she’d slipped back in time—right to the day she’d left the orphanage and first stepped into the Linwood home.

Nothing had changed. Every detail matched her memories, as if time itself had stood still.

It struck him hard, splitting the skin on his forehead. Blood streaked down his face, red and vivid.

Adah’s eyes flickered as she stared at him—not out of pity, but because the sight stirred up an old memory: in her previous life, she’d once struck Claire Linwood with an ashtray as well.

Back then, no one had cared. They’d left Claire lying on the cold floor, abandoned to her fate.

If May hadn’t found her, Claire might have died that stormy night.

The memory turned Adah’s eyes bloodshot, her whole body trembling.

Ethan looked up at her, his voice biting and mocking. “You hurt me yourself and now you’re pretending to feel sorry? Isn’t that just a little hypocritical?”

“All these years, you’ve only ever had eyes for Claire. You never cared about me or Vanessa.”

He sneered. “That Claire—the Tempests dote on her. She doesn’t even want to come back to this family. And what’s so great about her anyway? She was an arrogant brat as a kid, and she’s no better now.”