All Chapters of Black Roses for Her: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

John Garnett chuckled coolly. 'When I was fifteen, I spent 10 million to buy those seeds on a trip abroad."It's my gift to her, but for some reason, she planted it in the backyard, facing the bedroom directly."Is she trying to get my attention? To make me feel guilty?"I guess she hasn't spent enough time with those rabid dogs. Let her stay there a bit longer."With those words, he returned to the couch, his eyes filled with disdain."Don't you think that's too much, John?" Lara asked softly as she brought John coffee. "She never liked me and always threatened to leave. "But she must be even more upset now and deliberately planted the flowers there to provoke you. It's all my fault—I'll resign and leave…"John took the coffee but never drank it, his eyes lingering where the clusters of black roses bloomed.It took him a while to regain himself, and he brushed his long fingers through Lara's dangling hair. "What are you saying, silly? You're the one I love the most—she's ju

Chapter 2

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Alfie, John's butler, came running inside. "Mr. Garnett! We've checked, but none of Ms. Smith's accounts were touched… Could something have happened?"John snorted coldly. "Impossible! She'd never bring herself to leave me… Maybe she got herself another sugar daddy, throwing away all her dignity just for spare change."Alfie did a double take, not expecting John to come up with such a supposition.Still, he did not dare to argue either, bowing his head as he said, "I'll ask them to keep watch—""For what?" John waved him off, his tone weary. "She can go anywhere she wants. Jealous broads like her can die for all I care!""That said, we could keep watch to see which prick would wire money to her account. I'd like to humiliate that hussy!"Alfie pursed his lips but said nothing.He lowered his head as he backed out of the room, when John added nonchalantly, "Also, buy that diamond ring that caught Lara's eye. No matter how much it costs."I laughed coolly—that ring was worth mill

Chapter 3

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Lara then asked, "There's no reason to go that far, alright? I've forgiven Ms. Smith already, and those flowers look quite nice. We could just leave them be."Seeing her ashen face, John had a vague feeling that something was strange. "What's gotten into you? What's the issue with uprooting those flowers and planting your favorite moth orchids instead?"Lara took a deep breath, feigning calmness as she said, "That's not what I mean… Ms. Smith has been with you for years, and I don't want to ruin your relationship…"John looked downwards and continued mincing the ginger then. "Relationship? Well, it's a relationship, but not a romantic one—one that comes from sympathy."To me, she looked like a pathetic stray. When one looks at you with those wet puppy eyes, you can't help throwing it a bone."But then it would cling to you and refuse to leave, and all you feel is annoyance."I never loved Claire Smith—I was just allowing her to stay with me."It was only when I met you that I fe

Chapter 4

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

I stood, staring blankly from the stairs and utterly devastated.I watched as the piano John had given me was carried out, still remembering how his smile had glowed so tenderly under the sun.He was eleven, and played a duet with me.The dim floor lamp standing at the corner was dragged out too.I weaved the lampshade as a gift to John, and I remember cutting my finger and bleeding profusely.When John found out, he flashed a pained smile as he patted my head, "You're so silly. I forbid you from getting hurt because of me from now on."That was when Alfie came over, keeping his head lowered as his expression was slightly hesitant. "Are we really going to burn all of it, Mr. Garnett? All these items embody your memories with Ms. Smith since childhood."John's breath clearly left his lungs.However, he promptly turned away, not looking at the stacks of my possessions sitting in the backyard as he snorted coolly, "Don't give me that crap. Or are you taking her side? If she could

Chapter 5

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Standing beside the huge hole that was dug, John's cold gaze swept across the items that were excavated.A coat caked with mud, torn and its color faded—a gift he had bought for me at the airport without much thought.A phone with a cracked screen and covered in scratch marks. I couldn't bring myself to change it just because I was reluctant to use the money.Then, as John's gaze eventually reached the pile of bones, he started to pace around nervously. "How could this happen? Are you sure it's Claire's remains?"I stared at him quite, a little perplexed.If he wanted me dead so badly, why would he panic so much?Even as the thought crossed my mind, Lara came rushing to the backyard.Having just heard the news, she didn't have time to change out of her baggy casual clothes, and her heels looked especially odd trudging through the soil.She screamed when she saw the pile of bones, but quickly clasped her hand over her mouth after."J-John…. That's so creepy!" She exclaimed. "

Chapter 6

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Throughout the meeting, everyone was glancing gingerly at John as he scowled, terrified of saying a single word that would rub him wrong.In reality, John wasn't listening at all—he was clasping his hands, staring fixedly at a certain spot.I turned where he was looking, and as it turned out, it was my empty seat.So… He actually missed me? So… He actually cared that I might be dead, despite how vocally he had put it before?Nonetheless, the meeting was soon over, and word about John's strange behavior spread throughout the company. In fact, even my former colleagues were barely hiding their opinion. "Mr. Garnett lost so much weight after Claire's disappearance! He actually was caught spacing out more than once!""You think? They were childhood friends—you think he could let go of a relationship that lasted so long? Just like that?""Exactly. No matter how pretty Lara is, Mr. Garnett probably can't get it up for her now!"Lara was standing nearby, her expression stiffening

Chapter 7

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Alfie cried, "That's impossible, Mr. Garnett! I-I'd never dare to do something like that!""You're all rotten!" John bellowed coldly nonetheless. "Lara just told me Claire sent a threatening text to her! She has to be alive! No, wait—bring her here, right now!"In just ten minutes, Lara arrived in a hurry, her heels clicking in her wait."John, what are you—are you crazy?!"However, even before she could stop to ask, John seized her viciously by the throat.Even so, John's fingers clenched as he stared daggers at her. "Tell me. What the hell is going on? Claire just texted you, didn't she? Then why is forensics telling me those bones are hers?!"Lara flushed rapidly as she gasped for breath, fear showing in her eyes. "John! I didn't… I really didn't do anything! She's your childhood friend—I'd never dare! Why can't you believe me?""So you're just lying, huh?" John growled through his teeth nonetheless. "You're hoping so much that she'll die, so that you can replace her… don't y

Chapter 8

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

On the other hand, John's knuckles clenched after he read the last line.He shut the book, lowering his gaze as he murmured, "Happiness? How am I going to be happy without you, Claire?" Just as he finished, movement could be heard from the basement.John's tender gaze turned sharp as he strode down to the basement.The cramped room below was surrounded by cold concrete walls, and there were no windows—only a single dim light bulb overhead was the source of light. Lara was inside, hugging her knees as she hid in a corner, trembling while she pleaded in her raspy voice, "John! Please let me go… I didn't do anything!"You saw Ms. Smith's text—she's alive and well!"How could you bear to hurt me? If I knew you were just treating me like a fling, I would have just taken Ms. Smith insults in stride without holding a grudge!"I smirked in amusement—her acting was impeccable, even now.She had laughed so hard she was in tears when she saw the pieces left of me, even intentionally bu

Chapter 9

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

John turned towards Alfie. "Right… that threatening text message. Have you found out who's the registered owner?"Alfie scowled. "Yes, and it's registered to… Lara's cousin."John's face contorted viciously as soon as Alfie finished, and he wheeled on Lara, his eyes ablaze with frightening flames of wrath, "You're still lying to me?! What did you do to Claire?! Be honest, or I will make you wish you were dead!"Perhaps stricken by great terror, Lara flinched, before laughing eerily on top of her lungs. "Yes, I killed her—I fed her to the dogs! What, does that break your heart?""You're crazy!" John shrieked, the veins behind his hand bulging. "What did she do?! Why did you do that to her?!""Why, you ask? You, of all people, ask me why?" Lara's voice cracked with tears even as she pointed at John and snapped. "Did you forget what you said? You loved me most, didn't you? And wished Claire Smith was dead?!""You were the one who said she's a dog—that you won't feel guilt even if

Chapter 10

Black Roses for Her/Porridge

Lara wailed, "Please, I'm begging you! I'll do anything—just don't set the dogs on me! I'm begging you…"I closed my eyes and sighed—that was exactly how I had begged before I died.I called John's number almost fifty times, only to have my number blocked.It was only after my windpipe was chewed through and all my fingers bitten off that I passed out from the agony, and no longer felt anything anymore.Nonetheless, it was an eye for an eye now, as Lara experienced my despair and helplessness.-Meanwhile, John was searching for the wilting black roses.He had always been a clean freak, but he dug his long fingers into the soft soil, getting it in between his fingernails.The rain was flowing down his cheeks, also drenching his locks and leaving them sticking over his brow."Claire—you held on to the seeds even as you died. Were you trying to tell me something? That it hurts so much, and you want me to save you soon?"That was when he abruptly pulled a rotting stem still hel

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