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.

you know?" Claire whispered. "Everyone thinks I was the one who hurt you, but I'm innocent. No one

five years, and in that

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

casting dappled patterns on the floor, unable to chase

so brightly, like a princess. I envied you then- your loving family,

now, I'm nothing more

Vanessa who hurt

washed over her, and Claire's tears began to flow

not noticing that Irene's eyes

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

herself

before her was dressed in 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 abyss. Below his high- bridged nose, his lips were set in a

spine. Her legs grew weak, and every muscle in