Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 273

Inside the holding cell, the dim yellow light filtered through the iron bars, casting broken shadows across the floor. The air was thick with a stifling sense of gloom and oppression.

Jarrod and Karin sat side by side outside the cell, separated from Brian by those cold, unforgiving metal bars—a barrier that felt as impassable as a chasm, keeping them apart from their son.

Brian was a shadow of the man they remembered. His hair was a tangled mess, stubble covered his gaunt face, and he'd lost so much weight his clothes seemed to hang off him. Dark shadows ringed his hollow eyes, which stared blankly ahead, stripped of their old fire and confidence. There was nothing left of the proud, charismatic young man he'd once been-just emptiness, numbness, and a heartbreaking sense of defeat that clung to him.

Neither Jarrod nor Karin had ever seen Brian so broken.

He had always been their pride and joy. From boyhood, Brian had been strikingly handsome, effortlessly charming, and carried himself with a refined confidence that made him stand out wherever he went the golden son of the Cole family.

But now, seeing him like this, so beaten down and lost, Jarrod and Karin felt their hearts twist with pain.

Karin's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice thick with emotion. "Brian, how are they treating you in here?"

Jarrod tried to keep his own grief in check. "Don't worry, son. Your mother and I- we'll get you out of here soon."

But while his parents were overcome with concern and longing, Brian's mind was a mess of anxiety and guilt. He kept his head lowered, eyes darting away from theirs, terrified they would bring up Irene.

of course, that was exactly what

shifted. Karin's tone grew urgent,

his breath catch

the lie

"Are you sure? Brian, you can't keep things from us. We just

panic flashing

still couldn't bring himself to confess. "Dad, Mom, don't listen

his voice stern. "Brian, did you hide

first instinct was to

always been gentle and kind, incapable of doing anything truly wrong. No matter what had really happened all those years ago, he couldn't bring himself to believe Vanessa was guilty. Otherwise, why would he have kept blocking Claire from seeking the truth, or

evasive eyes and anxious face, he could tell instantly that Brian

mother and I will find out the truth as soon as we visit the hospital. How long do you plan on keeping this from us?"

said nothing, locked in

Vanessa of being the one who put her in a coma, Vanessa would face prison. And Brian-he'd never be able to look Claire in the eye

for something she didn't do, even after all she'd endured, he couldn't stop caring for her couldn't