Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 37

Claire stared intently at Irene. "Irene, it's me, Claire," she said softly.

"You despise me so much, I'm sure you can recognize my voice, right?"

"I've heard that some people in a coma can have some level of awareness. I wonder if you can hear me now."

"If you can, when will you finally wake up?"

Claire rambled on, her words filling the air, but the person lying in the bed showed no sign of response.

The antiseptic smell permeated the hospital room, mingling with the stark whiteness of the walls and bedsheets, which only accentuated Irene's frail, skeletal frame.

Claire slowly sat down by the bedside, her eyes never leaving Irene's pale face.

I was the one who hurt you, but

years, and in that time, I took

how horrible it was. They jabbed me with needles, beat me with sticks, and even took one of my kidneys... all under the orders of your brother,

on the floor, unable to chase away the gloom that hung heavily

forcing back her tears as she continued, "I remember the first time I met you. You smiled so brightly, like a princess. I envied

more than

who hurt you,

wave of overwhelming injustice washed over her, and Claire's tears began to

noticing that Irene's eyes had flickered

stood up. "Irene, you need to get better soon. I'll come back to see you

Claire left the room, she found herself

yet hard and unyielding-thick eyebrows arched toward his temples, and his deep-set eyes were as inscrutable as a dark abyss. Below his high- bridged nose, his lips were set in a firm line, and his jaw was taut, projecting a

one gaze from him sent shivers down Claire's spine. Her legs grew weak, and every muscle in her body tensed with fear, leaving her