Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 43

Claire sat on the park bench for what felt like an eternity, long enough for the skies to darken and the streetlights to flicker to life, one by one. The soft, amber glow of the lamps bathed her in a melancholic light as she sat there, unmoving.

Her eyes were distant, staring into the void, while the passing cars rushed by, their gusts of wind tangling her hair-the perfect metaphor for the chaos of her life.

Not far away, Vincent stood within the shadows, silently watching her. Seeing her slender figure, he felt an ache, as if countless needles were piercing his heart, spreading pain throughout every corner of his being.

He longed to step forward, to wrap her in his arms, and confess his regrets. He was willing to atone for the decisions he had made, if only she would grant him the chance to make amends, no matter the cost.

Yet, fear held him back. He dreaded that his approach might rekindle her disdain and resistance, that the chasm between them would become even more

insurmountable due to his actions.

So, he stood behind her, watching from a distance.

As night deepened, Claire finally rose, her movements slow and weary, and began to make her way toward the Linwood family residence.

snapped back to reality, trailing her from

May standing anxiously at the villa's entrance. Upon seeing Claire, May's worried expression melted into a relieved smile as

said, her eyes scanning Claire with concern. When she noticed the bandage on Claire's forehead and her pallid complexion, a flicker of pain crossed her face. "Miss Claire,

shook her head

"Are you

Claire replied with a nod, taking a deep breath to steady her voice. "How

full of gratitude. "Thanks to the young

master is actually quite a decent person. If you two can clear up your misunderstandings, he

at her lips. Watching May's grateful expression toward Ethan only filled her

someone like Ethan could hurt others and still

had happened to Mandy at school. For her, the details didn't matter as much as knowing that Ethan was the

find countless ways to torment someone. This time, he used Mandy to manipulate her;

wished she could just walk away from it all. Yet, she couldn't bear to leave May and Mandy to be