Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 389

A month later, one lazy afternoon, sunlight spilled through the windows in golden threads, draping itself over the living room sofa.

Mandy sat quietly, bathed in that gentle light, as if wrapped in a veil of gold spun from the thinnest silk. Compared to the girl she'd been-a month ago, drowning in grief-she looked transformed. Her complexion was healthy, a soft blush returning to her cheeks, and the sorrow that had once marked her so deeply was nowhere to be seen. At that moment, Mandy seemed as content as a cat basking in the sun.

"Mandy, lunch is ready." Liam's warm voice drifted in from the kitchen.

She glanced over her shoulder to see him carrying a steaming dish, his expression unusually tender as he set it down on the dining table.

"Come on, let's eat."

Mandy had been living with Liam for a month now, not once returning to school. Every day, he'd tried out new recipes just to tempt her appetite, doing everything he could to nurse her back to health. Under Liam's careful attention, Mandy-who had been left frail and hollowed out by grief-slowly regained her strength. As her color improved, Liam finally allowed himself to relax, the constant worry that had haunted him for weeks easing just a little.

He'd spent the month on edge, afraid she might do something reckless again. After all, if Mandy ever returned to violence, everything Claire had sacrificed-her final plea for Mandy to live a good life-would be for nothing.

Thankfully, Mandy had been unusually well-behaved, and Liam could finally breathe a little easier.

She settled at the dining table and began to eat in silence. Liam watched her, a soft smile unconsciously curling at his lips, his eyes filled with gentle affection. He picked up a fork and began placing food onto her plate.

"Liam," Mandy spoke suddenly.

paused. "What

at him. "You've done so much for me these past

to the school about letting you take a leave of

her voice firm. "No, thank you.

"But-"

and Garnett Brown, aren't you?" Mandy met his eyes steadily. "Don't worry. I promised Claire, and I intend to keep

carefully. "You mean

a moment, she added, "If you're still worried,

this,

knew better than anyone that Claire was the

wish had been for Mandy to live well, and Liam trusted Mandy wouldn't break

Mandy lowered her gaze, hiding the cold resolve that flickered

past month,

use, quietly tracking down Sophia and

time was up. It was time they paid

to the gates of Cresthaven Institute of Technology. He watched as she walked onto the campus, only

of sight, Mandy