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.

"Everyone thinks I was the one who hurt you, but I'm innocent. No one knows this

been unconscious for five years, and in that

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, who

floor, unable

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,

more than a

who hurt

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

that Irene's eyes had flickered

need to get better soon. I'll come back to see

room, she found herself

standing 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

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