Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 56

**"Smack-"**

The sound was sharp and resonant, slicing through the air like a sudden pause button had been pressed, leaving the room in an eerie silence.

"When are you going to stop this nonsense?" Adah's voice was sharp and icy, like a blade plunging straight into Claire's heart.

"Ever since you came back, this house has known no peace. We all have to tiptoe around you. You've thrown your tantrums-what more do you want? Aren't you supposed to be gone? If you want to die, do it yourself, but don't drag us down with you. We owe you nothing."

Each word was like a poisoned arrow, piercing Claire's already shattered soul.

Claire's body went rigid. She looked at Adah, the madness in her eyes slowly replaced by a hollow despair. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

At that moment, she felt as though she had fallen into an abyss of darkness, abandoned by the world.

No words could be more cruel than a mother telling her own child to die.

the world spinning around her. Her vision

on. Her eyelids fluttered

let out a startled cry, rushing to

her bleeding, severed finger,

she urged, picking

time to waste, held Claire close and hurried

scoffing, "Why take her to a hospital? Just leave her to fend for herself. Ungrateful as she is, she deserves whatever

words hitting her with regret. How could

words, fury ignited within her like a lit

to Nathan and slapping him hard across

was even more forceful than the one she had given

eyes wide.

hadn't hit Claire, none of this would have happened!" Adah's voice broke with a sob,

when I hit her," Nathan

she sank to the floor, burying