Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 346

A gentle breeze swept by, teasing strands of Claire's hair.

She stood at the edge of the bridge, gazing down at the river flowing beneath her feet—a scene so familiar, yet her heart was nothing like the last time she'd been here.

Back then, she'd been completely lost, teetering so close to the edge that only a miracle had stopped her from jumping.

"Father Foster, do you remember this place?" Claire's eyes shimmered with emotion. "If I hadn't run into you that night, I don't think I'd be standing here now."

She turned, meeting Sean's gaze, her expression earnest. "Really, thank you. You saved my life. I'll never forget it."

Sean's face softened. "Do you remember what I told you that night?"

Claire thought for a moment. "You said life's a bit like a play-sometimes, just having one more person in the audience can change everything. You told me you wanted to see what would happen if I chose to keep going, to see how the story would unfold."

She paused, then added, “Back then, I didn't believe you. I thought my story was already a tragedy, not worth watching anymore."

know. The best scenes often come at the end. You made it through

"Yes. And I owe it

but a dull

her. If only she had

head, hiding the sorrow in her

parted his lips to offer comfort, but before he could speak, a voice cut through the night, sharp and out

"Claire?"

found herself staring into Vincent's astonished

seen scavenging for scraps. Now, Vincent sat tall in a sleek black suit, wheelchair-bound, a wool blanket draped over his legs, a file folder resting on top. His hair was slicked

have thought that after losing his job and his ability to walk, Vincent might have a second act left in

gaze fastened onto

searched for you these past days." Whatever peace Claire had felt

run into the one person she'd hoped never to see again, and right when she'd finally gotten out for some fresh

Vincent, slipped her hand into Sean's, and

himself forward and blocked her path with alarming speed. "Claire,