Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 386

A jet of dark blood burst from her lips, splattering across the cold floor of the

interrogation room-a sight that sent a chill down anyone's spine.

Yet, even as her life ebbed away, a stubborn smile played at the corners of her mouth—a smile that spoke of relief, of release.

All she had to do was die, and everything would finally be over.

Mandy could be cleared of the murder charge and get her life back. Sean would be free from these painful memories, able to move forward with his career. Her grandmother and Grace wouldn't have to worry about her anymore.

Everyone could return to the lives they deserved. That was the value of her sacrifice-what she traded her life for.

Claire closed her eyes, tears slipping silently from the corners.

When she opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital.

People crowded around her bed, but the first person she saw was Sean, sitting in a wheelchair.

Sean's face was ashen, his eyes rimmed red, and he stared at her without blinking.

tried to lift her hand

gently against his cheek. His voice was rough and broken. "Why did

guilt and sorrow. She tried to comfort him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sean, I'm the one who's been holding you back. Promise me... when

tears any longer. They spilled down his cheeks, huge

shoulders shook. The calm, composed man she

me," he choked out.

grazed his cheek, but the pain in her heart was

voice still gentle, even as her body was wracked with pain. She tried to

then, Mandy pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes swollen, cheeks streaked with tears. She rushed to

"Claire, why?" she sobbed.

don't care what happens to me. You

"

a trembling hand over Mandy's mouth, refusing to let

to pay the price. My

fixed Mandy with a burning, desperate

understood

legs buckled, and she collapsed to her knees at Claire's bedside. She clung to Claire's arm, as if that alone could keep her