Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Inside the holding cell, the dim yellow light filtered through the iron bars, casting broken shadows across the floor. The air was thick with a stifling sense of gloom and oppression.

Jarrod and Karin sat side by side outside the cell, separated from Brian by those cold, unforgiving metal bars—a barrier that felt as impassable as a chasm, keeping them apart from their son.

Brian was a shadow of the man they remembered. His hair was a tangled mess, stubble covered his gaunt face, and he'd lost so much weight his clothes seemed to hang off him. Dark shadows ringed his hollow eyes, which stared blankly ahead, stripped of their old fire and confidence. There was nothing left of the proud, charismatic young man he'd once been-just emptiness, numbness, and a heartbreaking sense of defeat that clung to him.

Neither Jarrod nor Karin had ever seen Brian so broken.

He had always been their pride and joy. From boyhood, Brian had been strikingly handsome, effortlessly charming, and carried himself with a refined confidence that made him stand out wherever he went the golden son of the Cole family.

But now, seeing him like this, so beaten down and lost, Jarrod and Karin felt their hearts twist with pain.

Karin's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice thick with emotion. "Brian, how are they treating you in here?"

Jarrod tried to keep his own grief in check. "Don't worry, son. Your mother and I- we'll get you out of here soon."

But while his parents were overcome with concern and longing, Brian's mind was a mess of anxiety and guilt. He kept his head lowered, eyes darting away from theirs, terrified they would bring up Irene.

And of course, that was exactly what happened.

After a few words of comfort, the conversation shifted. Karin's tone grew urgent, tinged with fear. "Brian, honey, tell me did Irene wake up?"

Brian's heart plummeted. He felt his breath catch in his throat.noveldrama

"N-no," he stammered, the lie thin and unconvincing.

Karin didn't buy it for a second. Suspicion flickered in her tear-filled eyes. "Are you sure? Brian, you can't keep things from us. We just came from the Foster family's estate-Sean told us Irene's awake, and she can clear Claire's name. Is it true?"

Brian went pale, panic flashing across his face.

He knew there was no way to keep hiding it, but he still couldn't bring himself to confess. "Dad, Mom, don't listen to Sean. He's just trying to manipulate you..."

Jarrod's expression hardened, his voice stern. "Brian, did you hide Irene somewhere?"

"I... No." Even now, Brian's first instinct was to protect Vanessa.

In his mind, Vanessa had always been gentle and kind, incapable of doing anything truly wrong. No matter what had really happened all those years ago, he couldn't bring himself to believe Vanessa was guilty. Otherwise, why would he have kept blocking Claire from seeking the truth, or sent Irene overseas, desperate to cover everything up?

But Jarrod knew his son too well. Watching Brian's evasive eyes and anxious face, he could tell instantly that Brian was lying.

"If you've hidden Irene, your mother and I will find out the truth as soon as we visit the hospital. How long do you plan on keeping this from us?" Disappointment and anger colored Jarrod's words.

Brian said nothing, locked in silent agony.

If Irene came back and accused Vanessa of being the one who put her in a coma, Vanessa would face prison. And Brian-he'd never be able to look Claire in the eye again.

He truly loved Claire. Even after she served five years in prison for something she didn't do, even after all she'd endured, he couldn't stop caring for her couldn't stop wanting to bring her home and protect her, forever.

He knew it was selfish, but love had always been selfish.

Claire had already paid for his misunderstanding. He couldn't bear to watch sweet, innocent Vanessa suffer the same fate. The thought of hurting them both was unbearable.

Seeing Brian's stubborn refusal, Jarrod's face flushed with anger. His voice rang out, sharp and furious: "Brian! I'm asking you one last time-has Irene woken up? Tell me the truth!"

The words echoed through the cramped, suffocating space, making Brian flinch.

He shut his eyes. There was no point lying anymore. If his father wanted to find Irene, it wouldn't take long.

"...Yes."

At that, Karin's heart gave a painful lurch, torn between relief and dread.

Part of her was overjoyed that Irene had woken up. But another part, deep down, began to believe Sean's words might be true-a cold tide of guilt and anxiety spreading through her chest.

Jarrod drew a slow, shaking breath, struggling to steady himself before he pressed on. "Irene said Claire wasn't the one who hurt her, didn't she?"