Vanessa burst through the door, only to collide with a solid chest. Startled, she looked up and saw Ethan standing there. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried out, "Ethan, please help me, Claire is trying to kill me!"
Ethan reeked of alcohol, but his senses cleared quickly upon hearing Vanessa's plea. His brow furrowed in anger, ready to confront Claire. But before he could react, a piercing scream from Adah drew his attention. He turned just in time to see Claire, in one swift motion, sever her own left pinky finger. Blood gushed and splattered onto the floor, creating a gruesome scene.
Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. His heart ached at the sight, and any remnants of intoxication vanished immediately. "Claire, what are you doing?" he shouted, rushing forward. But Vanessa clung to him desperately, her voice trembling with fear, "Ethan, Claire's lost it! I’m so scared."
Irritated and impatient, Ethan forcefully freed himself from Vanessa's grip, pushing her away. She stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, her eyes wide with shock as she watched Ethan dash over to Claire.
Ethan was beside himself with anguish as he looked at Claire's bloodied hand. His voice cracked with emotion. "Claire, have you gone mad? How could you do this to yourself?"
Claire seemed oblivious to him, indifferent to her injury. Her eyes were vacant as she looked at Adah. "I've repaid my debt to you," she said coldly. "From now on, we're even."
Adah's face turned ghostly pale, her body trembling uncontrollably. She shook her head vehemently, "No, no, that’s not true..."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom