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.

the one who hurt you, but I'm innocent. No one knows this

and in that time, I took

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

the curtains, casting dappled patterns on the floor, unable to chase

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

now, I'm nothing more than a disgraced

it was Vanessa who hurt you,

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

noticing that Irene's eyes had flickered ever so

her heart out, Claire stood up. "Irene, you need to get better soon.

room, she found herself staring into a pair of deep,

his tall and imposing figure exuding an air of authority. His features were chiseled and handsome, 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

one gaze from him sent shivers down Claire's spine. Her legs grew weak, and