Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 513

"Get rid of all these plants and flowers. I want every bit of soil replaced and cleaned out!" Janice instructed, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. It was said that Mrs. Janice had changed after her return.

The gardeners stood there, dumbfounded, as they listened to Janice's command. To them, every flower and tree in the estate was like their child, nurtured with care and dedication. In the past, when Kayla and Ashley decided to remove the previous flower garden, the master of the house was too busy to deal with such trivial matters, and so the gardeners complied with the ladies' wishes and cleared it away.

That garden had been Janice's favorite. But back then, Janice was unwell, and the master had grown distant, even neglecting their son. Who knew how long Janice and her son would remain at Sunnyglade Abbey? So, out of pragmatic necessity, the gardeners had followed the orders.

Now, nearly two decades later, the garden faced another upheaval, and the gardeners felt a deep pang of loss.

The head gardener spoke up cautiously, "Ma'am, these flowers are quite beautiful. We've cared for them for so long; it would be a shame to remove them all."

Janice was known for her kind heart and gentle demeanor. Perhaps a bit of persuasion could save the garden.

"Do you think my words as the lady of the house don't matter? Or do you not see me as the rightful mistress of this estate? Restore it to how it was. Many of those flowers were ones I planted and tended myself. Since you've destroyed what was mine, isn't it right for you to make amends?"

In her youth, when love with Nathan was strong, she adored roses, peonies, and camellias. Nathan would bring her countless flowers to plant here. While the gardeners took care of them daily, she enjoyed tending to them herself, finding both leisure and joy in the task. Watching the flowers she nurtured bloom in vibrant beauty, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

Back then, every morning and evening, she and Nathan would stroll hand in hand through the blossoms, their time together romantic and sweet. Now, Janice wasn't looking to rekindle old paths with Nathan; she wanted to show her sisters-in-law and everyone else that she was not someone to be easily dismissed or manipulated.

The gardener was at a loss for words. They looked at each other, torn between the attachment to their long-tended garden and the inability to contest Janice's wishes. They had been at Sunnyglade Abbey for many years, witnessing Janice's journey from cherished wife to her troubled days, and now her clear-headed return.

"Miss Lucinda," called the head gardener, spotting her and her husband in the distance. Lucinda, out for a morning jog with Stefan, heard the call. Seeing her mother surrounded by people, she hurried over, fearing for her.

"What's going on? What do you want? Mom, are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?" Lucinda fired off questions, her concern evident.

Stefan, with his commanding presence, asked sternly, "Explain yourselves. What's happening here?"

The head gardener, never having met Stefan but knowing him as the new son-in-law, quickly explained, "Miss Lucinda, Mr. Stefan, the lady wishes for us to clear out all the flowers and even replace the soil. We've tended to this garden for years, and it pains us to destroy it. Please, could you ask the lady to reconsider? To us, these plants are like our own children."

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