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.

thinks I was the one who hurt you,

years, and in that time, I took Vanessa's place in

and even took one of my

the floor, unable to chase away the gloom that hung

deep breath, 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 affluent life, your many friends. And here I was, finally back with the Linwood

now, I'm nothing more than

Vanessa who hurt you, not

washed over her, and Claire's tears began to

noticing that Irene's eyes

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

the room, she found herself

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

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