NovelGoldChapter 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.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer voice cout soft and gentle, almost melodic.
"Ma'am, my nis 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 t-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 titself had stood still.
What caught her off guard, though, was the scene unfolding in the living room: Ethan Linwood was kneeling beside the sofa, while Adah stood over him, her expression cold as ice.
Ethan's face was twisted in defiance. "Mom, what's happened to you? You used to adore Vanessa when we were little, but now you're e so vicious. Not only did you divorce Dad, you kicked Vanessa out of the house!" He glared up at his mother. "So what if Vanessa's legitimate? She's still innocent. Adults made the mistakes why do you have to punisher? Her health is already fragile, but you keep yelling at her, even hitting her. If anything happens to her, it'll be your fault." Even on his knees, Ethan's every word was a challenge-an accusation hurled at his mother, dripping with resentment. There wasn't a shred of empathy for her in his eyes.
He'd never spared a thought for what his mother had endured. Nathan Linwood had brought his mistress's daughter into their hand expected his wife to raise her. If Adan hadn't regained memories of her past life, she'd have gone on just as before-raising Vanessa Linwood, showering her with affection, treating her like a princess.
All for another woman's child, while her own daughter was left humiliated and neglected.
No mother should ever have to endure that.
And yet, Ethan had never considered his mother's pain. Instead, he sided with the other woman's daughter, lavishing her with sympathy.
Adah's face contorted with fury.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWithout thinking, she grabbed the glass ashtray from the coffee table and hurled it at Ethan's head.
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 anlord sight strred up enlole memory in ther 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 hurt biting and mocking. "You hurt men 're pretending yourself and now you're p to feel sorry? Isn't that just a little hypocritical?" "All these years, you've only ever had eyes for Claire. You never cared aboutor Vanessa."
He sneered. "That Claire-the Tempests dote on her. She doesn't even want to cback to this Ο family. And what's so great about her anyway? She was an arrogant brat as a kid, and she's no better now."
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