Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 383

Claire was running on empty-her strength had long since left her.

Yet she refused to slip away quietly, to die without a ripple.

Looking back, her short life had been filled with regrets, so many missed chances, so many things that weren't worth it. Now, if she had to face the end, she at least wanted her death to mean something.

Images of Mandy flashed through her mind-Mandy, avenging her by killing four people. It was all her fault, Claire thought bitterly. The darkness in her own past had shaped Mandy in ways she never intended. She was a curse.

She'd gotten May fired from the Linwood family, pushed Mandy down a path of violence, and now Sean-because of her-was lying in a hospital bed with both legs shattered by falling rocks.

If none of them had ever met her, their lives would have been so much brighter, so much fuller than they were now. At the very least, she could try to do something meaningful with whatever time she had left.

The doctor finished explaining her condition and left the room.

Jeffry, Victor, and Normand all turned toward her at once. When they saw she was awake, their eyes filled with worry.

Claire managed a faint smile. “Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

turned her gaze to Jeffry. "Jeffry, please don't tell Sean what's happened to me.

pressed his lips together, hesitated, but finally nodded in

smile deepened. Then she looked to Victor. "Victor, you're a doctor. Could you prescribe me something for the

a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes. He knew everything Claire had been through. Because he understood so well, her request cut even deeper-she

was unbearable, and only then would she

was rough as he replied, "Of course. I'll get you something right away." Claire nodded. Once Victor left, she turned to Jeffry and Normand.

looked so pale, almost translucent, her exhaustion drowning out

Normand urged her to get some rest, then followed Victor out, leaving Claire alone in

head toward

weather was beautiful, sunlight pouring through the glass and warming her

her hand

sunlight felt warm on her arm, but it couldn't chase away the cold that had settled deep inside

were still so many people who cared about her.

wasn't ready to say

much time had

It'll

gratefully