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

been unconscious for five years, and in that time, I took Vanessa's place

imagine 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,

through the curtains, casting dappled patterns on the floor, unable to chase away the gloom that hung heavily in

remember the first time I met you. You smiled so brightly, like a princess. I envied you then- your loving family, your affluent life, your many friends. And here I was, finally back with the Linwood family, but I

nothing more than

it was Vanessa who

injustice washed over her,

not noticing that Irene's

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

the room, she found herself staring into a pair

a sharply tailored black suit, 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

legs grew weak, and every muscle in her