Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 77

Claire's gaze swept indifferently over his bleeding hand, not even a flicker of emotion crossing her face.

Her nonchalant demeanor instantly transported Brian back five years.

It was during her senior year in high school, the last competition she would ever attend. That day, he had a fever soaring to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, yet he insisted on participating just to see her.

Upon learning of his fever, she was so anxious her eyes turned red, supporting him while scolding, "Are you out of your mind? You're burning up and still insist on competing?"

Seeing her so concerned, his heart warmed, feeling his efforts were worthwhile. But she grew even more frustrated, "You're going to be delirious from this fever, and you're still smiling?"

Claire, who never missed a single competition, skipped that one just for him.

Despite her frail frame, she practically carried and dragged him to the nearest clinic.

He lay on the hospital bed receiving fluids, with her watching over him. Back then, they were incredibly close; now, they were strangers.

who once cried over his fever now faced his bleeding

she truly

quickly fetched the first aid kit to dress his wound, while Vanessa looked on, tears welling up in her eyes,

seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on Claire, unable to

unreadable face, a complex mix of emotions surged within

like a cold, unfeeling statue. The tenderness that once worried over his illness had long turned to dust during his five-year

bandaged, everyone breathed a collective sigh of

the Fosters of Northcrest will let you live the high life? Claire, how

the same

assuming the worst

had long stopped caring what he

him happy, so be

deny it, "Yes, I want to marry into wealth and be a trophy wife." Her

momentarily lost