Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 42
Vincent stood frozen, stunned by Claire's sudden, self-destructive outburst.
"You won't let go, will you?" Claire hurled herself against the wall again. The dull thuds echoed down the corridor, each one a
heavy blow to Vincent's heart.
His face turned ashen, and he nearly lost his balance.
"Are you insane?" His voice trembled. "Just to get away from me, you're willing to hurt yourself like this?"
Claire seemed possessed, locked in a frenzy. As long as Vincent held on, she persisted in her self-harming actions.
Blood splattered onto the floor, forming shocking pools of red, while her face grew pale from blood loss.
Vincent was tormented by Claire's madness, pain consuming him from the depths of his soul.

"Why can't you care for yourself? Why torture me by hurting yourself?" Vincent's voice was hoarse and quivering.
He pulled Claire into his arms with such force, as if trying to merge her into his very being.
Care for herself? How ironic. If caring for herself worked, she wouldn't be deaf and crippled.
"Let me go, or I'll die right here in front of you." She struggled fiercely, attempting once more to slam into the wall.
Her strength was nearly gone, but her stubborn determination remained, each struggle tearing at her wounds. Blood streamed
from her forehead, down her cheeks, and dripped onto Vincent's arm, the warmth burning like molten lava, searing his heart.
Vincent watched Claire in horror. "Claire, stop this. I'll let go, I'll let go right now..."
His hands slowly released her, an indescribable sense of loss gnawing at his heart like a thousand ants.
Claire's body wavered without Vincent's support.
But just before he could catch her again, she steadied herself with sheer willpower.
"Don't touch me. Stay away. We're done, never to meet again." Claire's voice was cold and resolute, each word a chasm
separating her from Vincent.

With that, she limped toward the hospital exit, her unsteady steps like broken drumbeats, pounding on Vincent's heart.
He dared not approach her but couldn't let her leave alone, so he followed at a cautious distance.
Claire didn't want to go home just yet, only to face relentless scorn from the Linwood family.
She sank onto a bench outside the hospital, staring blankly at the passing traffic.
Vincent stood a short distance away, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her.
The blood on Claire's forehead was glaring, a piercing pain in his eyes. Suddenly, he stopped a woman passing by and spoke to
her in hushed tones. The woman looked surprised at first, then nodded and hurried away.
She returned shortly after, carrying a bag, and approached Claire gently. "Miss, your head is bleeding badly. Let me help you."
Claire glanced at the bag containing antiseptic, cotton swabs, and bandages, a flicker of emotion crossing her face. She looked
around.
Vincent quickly ducked out of sight.
Seeing no sign of him, Claire offered the woman a small smile. "Thank you."
Vincent emerged from his hiding place, relieved to see Claire sitting quietly as the woman tended to her wounds, though his
heart ached even more.