Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 256

It wasn't until Jeffry started digging into the Linwood family, uncovering that Vanessa had been impersonating an anonymous donor to Vincent, and then following the trail back to Vincent's college days, that Claire finally woke up to the truth.

Back in college, Vincent had taken the money she'd worked herself to the bone to earn, using it to craft the image of a trust fund kid. He was nothing like the man she remembered. Greedy, selfish, and shallow—he'd become exactly the kind of person she despised most.

Claire let out a cold, bitter laugh, her eyes full of contempt. "A promise? Vincent, who do you think you are?"

"You really believe that after you had me thrown in jail, I'd ever forgive you?"

"Have I not made my disgust for you clear enough since I got out? Save your ridiculous confidence. To me, you're beneath a stranger. At least a stranger doesn't make my skin crawl. Every time I see you, I feel sick."

Her words hit Vincent like a slap—he actually flinched, a feverish flush rising on his face, equal parts rage and humiliation.

"No, it wasn't me who got you sent to prison! You did that to yourself. If you hadn't pushed Irene Cole down the stairs and left her in a coma, none of this would have happened. You made your own bed, Claire. Don't try to blame me for it."

Claire's glare turned icy with disgust. She'd reached her limit with Vincent's twisted version of reality. Without hesitation, she slapped him hard across the face.

"Are you blind? Deaf? The day Irene woke up, she told everyone it wasn't me! How long are you going to keep lying to yourself?"

"If it weren't for you and your family constantly interfering, Irene would have pointed the finger at Vanessa for attempted murder! And you still have the nerve to smear my name? You make me sick."

Vincent reeled from the blow, his mind going blank.

He couldn't face the truth about what he'd done five years ago. Because if he admitted to any of it, whatever was left between him and Claire would be finished.

"You're shameless. Battered, missing a kidney, and you're still desperate for a man? First you seduced Brian, now you've got another guy. Tell me—how many men have you slept with? Say it!"

Vincent ranted like a madman, spewing filth as if Claire were his property, and no one else was allowed to touch her.

Claire glanced at the ring on her finger—a slender band that fit her middle finger perfectly, a gift from Sean Foster. Once, such humiliation would have left her fuming, her cheeks burning with rage. But not this time. Instead, she smiled and wrapped her arms around Jeffry's.

"That's right. We're together."

She gently rested her other hand on her stomach. "And I've got some good news for you—I'm pregnant. We came to the hospital today for a checkup."

The word "pregnant" struck like a bolt of lightning. Jeffry looked stunned, but Vincent looked like the ground had opened beneath his feet.