Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 311

Claire Linwood stood frozen, numb to Brian Cole's desperate pleas and tears. She watched him with a blank stare, as if she couldn't hear a word he said.

Brian's heart felt as though it were being torn apart. Regret clawed at him from the inside out. If he'd known that his actions would break her so completely, that he'd leave her battered and her life hanging by a thread, he never would have made that terrible choice.

But it was too late for if only.

He'd hurt the person he loved most, and all the guilt and remorse in the world couldn't change what he'd done.

Brian dropped to his knees at Claire's feet, half-crazed, grabbing her hand and smacking himself hard across the face with it.

The sharp sound of each slap echoed down the hospital corridor-one after another, crisp and relentless.

It didn't take long before red welts bloomed across his pale, handsome face.

Claire was like a puppet with its strings cut, her body limp and unresponsive, letting Brian do whatever he wanted without protest.

May couldn't stand another second of it. She stormed over and shoved Brian away with all her strength.

off guard, Brian collapsed onto the cold linoleum

hand, her heart aching as she saw the angry red marks swelling across

she glared at

"and you want to make amends, then stay away from her. You know she can't stand to see you,

"Are you punishing yourself, or are

hand. A fresh wave of guilt stabbed through him, so sharp he could barely breathe. He choked on his words, shaking his head over and over,

regret, silently begging for even the briefest glance. But she wouldn't meet

if a knife were wedged beneath his ribs. His

with open contempt. Where was all this supposed devotion before? Now he put on a show of heartbreak, but who was it for? After Claire's release from prison, she'd tried again and again to clear her name in front of Brian-but he'd

of love made

a cold, dismissive glance, May

reached out desperately, trying to grab Claire's hand, but his

for forgiveness, but pain twisted

on the floor, eyes brimming with regret, unable to tear his gaze

"Claire..."

looked back, leaving Brian behind, sprawled on the floor, abandoned to his