Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 371

Claire's head snapped upward, eyes wide in alarm as she saw torrents of mud and debris thundering down the mountainside. For a heartbeat, her body moved faster than her thoughts-without hesitation, she leapt off Sean's back and threw every ounce of strength into shoving him away from danger.

She didn't care if she died; after all, she'd long considered herself broken, and another day of life or death made little difference now.

But Sean was different. He'd come to these mountains for her, risking so much, giving so much, simply to be by her side. If he were hurt because of her, even death wouldn't bring her peace.

Caught off guard, Sean stumbled forward, nearly losing his footing. By the time he steadied himself and spun around, Claire stood a few yards away, smiling at him with warmth and heartbreak all tangled together.

She held his gaze, so many words shimmering behind her eyes, yet all she managed was a trembling farewell: "Mr. Foster, I wish you a good life—may your marriage be happy, your home filled with children and laughter, and may you live to a ripe old age..."

The pounding rain, rolling thunder, and roar of the landslide swallowed her words. Sean's pupils dilated in horror.

"Claire!" he shouted, voice raw and desperate, and lunged for her without a second thought.

bury her, Sean threw himself over Claire, shielding

impact drove the air from his lungs as rocks hammered into his back, pain piercing him like steel needles. Still, he locked his arms around Claire,

aside and sprinted toward them, dodging falling stones as he yelled,

clothes, rain blurring his vision as he fought his

streaming down her cheeks

her voice was drowned in the chaos-the relentless rain, the thunder,

roar.

tearing trees from the earth,

the

voice was steady and gentle, even in this nightmare-he wanted to give Claire comfort, no matter

in from all sides. Claire couldn't see Sean, but she could feel him straining above her, refusing to