Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 18

A moment later, Victor conceded with a resigned sigh. "I'll examine her, but don't expect me to treat her," he said.

He walked back to the bedside, set down his medical kit, and with a hint of frustration, tugged up Claire's pant leg. Muttering under his breath, he said, "I really don't understand why you go to such lengths for her. Someone like her should just be left to her own—"

His complaints abruptly ceased.

His gaze locked onto Claire's emaciated leg, as if glued by some invisible force, and he stared in shock at the twisted fracture. Waves of disbelief crashed over him.

Claire's right leg was a grotesque sight. The bone jutted at an unnatural angle beneath skin stretched so tight it barely seemed to cover the bones, with no hint of muscle or fat. The scar at the fracture site snaked across her pallid skin like a menacing centipede, surrounded by dark red bruises.

Victor gingerly touched her leg with his long, slender fingers, each contact filling him with dread. Despite his aversion to Claire, his professional instincts immediately assessed the severity of her injury.

"Was her leg always like this?" he asked.

The question landed like a stone on a tranquil pond, causing Ethan's eyes to flash with intensity. "Impossible. Her legs were fine the whole three years she was home."

Victor understood immediately; the injury must have happened while Claire was imprisoned.

Claire's health was in dire straits-her body, weakened by prolonged malnutrition, bore layers of old and new injuries that seemed to have been inflicted

witness more, Victor stood up, his

in the study, Ethan's expression was grave. "Tell

his words. "Are you aware of

Ethan shook his head.

enunciating each word, "Human bones are incredibly strong. The tibia and fibula, in particular, require significant force to shatter-like a severe car accident or a fall from a

she was in prison, such accidents are unlikely. Her leg appears to have been beaten

tissue, it wasn't properly

have endured is unimaginable. Surviving

hands clenched into

reddened with fury, rage boiling within him like molten lava threatening to consume him

How

mind-Claire's frail body being struck repeatedly by some blunt tool

his chest clouded his vision with black spots. It took

any hope for

hide his pity. "It's been at