Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 40

Claire was the one originally promised to him from childhood.

When Brian found out, he was overjoyed, unable to contain his happiness.

If only those things hadn't happened afterward... how wonderful that would have been.

In his memories, Claire was once vibrant and spirited, a radiant presence full of life. But now, the woman before him bore no resemblance to her former self.

Emotions flickered in Brian's eyes.

His throat felt constricted, as if choked by something, and though he wanted to speak, every word seemed painfully inadequate.

The Claire before him, trembling with fear, her eyes wide with terror, was like a sharp blade piercing the softest part of his heart, cracking the iron shell he had built around it.

"You can leave," Brian finally spoke, his voice softened with a hint of exhaustion, stripped of its former coldness and strength.

He slowly lowered his hand, clenching it into a fist.

Claire remained huddled on the floor, and though Brian frowned slightly, a surge of impulse to gather her in his arms and comfort her rose within him. Yet, he ruthlessly suppressed it.

"I said leave—"

Claire couldn't hear what Brian was saying. Blood mixed with tears blurred her vision, obscuring his lips.

Panicked, she wiped her face with her hand, her eyes wide as she stared intently at Brian's mouth.

Finally, she understood his message.

Leave?

He was telling her to leave.

Was he letting her go?

A whirlwind of indescribable emotions surged through her—relief, disbelief, and most of all, the overwhelming joy of surviving a disaster.

"I'll go. I'll leave right away."

Passersby cast curious glances her way, but she ignored them, fixated on only one thought—getting as far away from Brian as possible.

She was terrified that if she didn't move quickly enough, Brian would come after her.

In her haste, she failed to notice someone exiting a nearby consultation room.

She collided directly with the person, the rebound sending her sprawling backward.

In an instant, a strong hand caught her waist, pulling her back into a firm embrace.

"Claire." The familiar yet distant voice of a man resonated above her.

Looking up, she found herself gazing into Vincent's gentle eyes, his pupils reflecting her resistance.

Like touching a live wire, she pushed him away forcefully, then lowered her eyes and turned to leave.

But she had barely taken two steps when Vincent's hand closed around her wrist. Despite her struggles, she found herself powerless against his grip.