Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 41

Vincent noticed the wound on her forehead, his eyes filled with concern. "You're hurt," he said gently.

Claire simply stared at the ground, her silence speaking volumes.

"Who did this to you? Tell me, and I'll make sure they pay," Vincent's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing across them.

Yet his concern sounded almost laughable to Claire.

He was the one who once promised to protect her.

But he was also the one who sent her to prison.

Five years ago, she had desperately hoped he would stand by her as her defense lawyer.

Instead, he sat across from her in court, representing Vanessa, listing every piece of damning evidence against her with a cold, detached demeanor. Each word was like a dagger, pinning her to the pillar of shame, robbing her of her freedom, her dignity, her education, and her future...

She had trusted him once, only to be betrayed in the worst way possible.

her her life; how could she ever trust

feared most,

together, a bond formed over countless years. How could

similar length of time, they were willing to sacrifice their own blood to protect

Vincent's face twisted with pain and

you still blaming

I had my reasons. Please forgive

interest in his

she shouldn't have borne, she had borne

undo the damage she

never fully heal; she was permanently deaf in her left ear; the kidney she lost would never

facts lay bare before her how could she forgive the

Vincent gripped it too tightly for her

her eyes to meet his, her gaze as cold

away, as if an invisible hand had seized his chest, suffocating him. In that moment, he was almost overwhelmed

was cold