Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 136

As Vincent's mind uncontrollably replayed the moment when Irene had denied Claire's involvement, it felt like a relentless hammer pounding on his nerves, driving him to the brink of a headache. His eyes were filled with pain, and his body shook slightly.

Back then, he had simply believed that Vanessa, innocent and kind-hearted, could never harm her dear friend Irene. He was convinced Vanessa had been framed. Claire, being the stronger sister, had always been resilient, the one who endured the most hardships. Taking the fall for Vanessa and spending five years in prison seemed manageable. After all, at twenty-three, she'd still have her whole life ahead of her, with plenty of time to pursue her dreams.

Never did he imagine that this decision would lead to Claire being bullied in prison, leaving her debilitated and her life irreversibly altered. Now, with the truth glaring at him, he was left with nothing but regret, clueless about how to make amends.

Vincent watched helplessly as May crouched down, gingerly lifting Claire onto her back, treating her as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. With Aberdeen and Grace's support, they slowly left Irene's hospital room, step by step.

Vincent stood rooted in place, like a statue, his eyes hollow and his heart heavy with guilt and self-reproach. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over him, yet it failed to offer him any comfort. It was as if his soul had been stripped from his body, leaving only an empty shell shivering in an atmosphere thick with remorse.

"Claire…" he finally murmured, his voice a low whisper, tears glistening in his eyes, revealing a vulnerability he had never shown before.

...

When Claire awoke, the sky had already turned dark. The hospital room was unlit, with only a sliver of light filtering through the glass on the door, casting irregular shadows on the floor. Claire lay there for what felt like an eternity, staring blankly, before she finally peeled back the covers and dragged herself out of bed, her body battered and bruised.