Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 40

Claire was the one originally promised to him from childhood.

When Brian found out, he was overjoyed, unable to contain his happiness.

If only those things hadn't happened afterward... how wonderful that would have been.

In his memories, Claire was once vibrant and spirited, a radiant presence full of life. But now, the woman before him bore no resemblance to her former self.

Emotions flickered in Brian's eyes.

His throat felt constricted, as if choked by something, and though he wanted to speak, every word seemed painfully inadequate.

The Claire before him, trembling with fear, her eyes wide with terror, was like a sharp blade piercing the softest part of his heart, cracking the iron shell he had built around it.

"You can leave," Brian finally spoke, his voice softened with a hint of exhaustion, stripped of its former coldness and strength.

He slowly lowered his hand, clenching it into a fist.

Claire remained huddled on the floor, and though Brian frowned slightly, a surge of impulse to gather her in his arms and comfort her rose within him. Yet, he ruthlessly suppressed it.

"I said leave-"

Blood mixed with tears blurred her vision,

with her hand, her eyes wide

understood his

Leave?

was telling her to

letting

her-relief, disbelief, and most of

go. I'll

was shaky and hoarse. Ignoring the pain in her knees and forehead, she scrambled to her feet,

stumbled several times, nearly falling, but the instinct to

change his mind, so she didn't dare delay for even

for a long time, only withdrawing his gaze when her

bed, gently tracing his fingers over the pillow,

go so easily, would you be

He could never harden his heart against

lay there silently, offering no

...