Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 1

"I'm going abroad to further my studies like you suggested, Aunt Katrina," said Clara Salford.

Katrina Caldwell's face brightened upon hearing that. It was as though she had been relieved of a heavy burden. "That's great, Clara! I'm glad you've finally thought it through.

"I'll help you with the admissions process and apply for a student visa at once. You'd best seize the time you have left this last month to say goodbye to your friends. After all, you won't be able to hang out with them again."

Just then, a hesitant expression crept onto Katrina's face. "Shall I tell Wren on your behalf?"

Clara balled her fists and shook her head. "I can tell him myself, Aunt Katrina."

"Alright, then. You can decide what to do." Katrina felt it wasn't her place to say anything more, so she nodded before leaving the living room.

Clara's palms were red when she unclenched her fists. Then, she silently stood, headed upstairs, and opened the door to her bedroom. Upon switching on the lights, it illuminated the wall full of pictures.

She approached the wall, her gaze settling on the centermost photo of two people.

The two stood in the bright spring daylight under lush, blossoming trees. The young man had bushy brows, and his head hung low as he smiled at the girl with a flowy white dress beside him. Those were Wren and Clara when they were 20 and 15 years old, respectively. Clara reached up to touch the photo. She couldn't help but smile, yet tears silently welled in her eyes. Her vision soon blurred. Even so, the memories between her and Wren were crystal clear in her mind.

Alas, nothing was exempt from change. She and Wren could never go back to how they used to be.

Wren Zachman was Clara's older brother, but only in name. They weren't biologically related since he was Katrina's stepson. Katrina had been looking after him since his mother passed away.

Clara loved following the older and handsome Wren around as a little girl.

When Clara was seven years old, her parents died in a car accident. She was the only survivor. However, that caused the Salford family to see her as a scourge of bad luck. They saw her as the main culprit behind her parents' deaths.

Her grandmother kicked her out of the family during winter. It left her kneeling in the snow and nearly freezing to death.

there in time to save

could remember even now how Wren suppressed his rage as he spoke

care for her, I'll do it myself! Clara will be a Zachman from now on. She'll have nothing

warmly held Clara's hand and spoke with

With time, his proud love and care for her pulled her out

but feel touched every time he protected her. She couldn't avoid falling in love with Wren, who had kept her company and defended

was why she couldn't hold back the love

your birthday, Clarey. I'll grant your wish, no matter what

kiss Wren. Yet, to her shock, Wren pushed her away

you know what you're

like we're biologically related. You're not my actual brother! Why can't we be

before. Even Clara had never seen him throw such a huge fit. He snapped, "I know you feel like you can depend on me, but dependence doesn't equal love! Don't ever bring up such things again!" "Why can't I?" Clara stubbornly met Wren's eyes. "I love you! I know what my feelings are for you!

what you're doing. I want you to move out of my home if you dare say such revolting things again!" After saying that, Wren slammed the door in

bad terms that day. Since then, there seemed to

even stopped coming home every day. Clara struggled to see him

this version of Wren, so she hung her head in defeat

two custom rings, hoping to

approached the private room that day, she overheard someone talking to Wren. They asked, "Why isn't your clingy

not bring her up? What a total

annoyance on Wren's face through the slight crack of the opened door. Her smile

up and summoned the courage to enter

saw

she gingerly handed the gift to Wren. "I designed this for you myself. There's something

With a face full of smiles, he announced, "Ivy and I are getting engaged next month. Everyone's welcome to attend our engagement party then!" Ivy Jones was a girl whom Wren's dad, Carlisle Zachman, introduced to the

and Wren get together? Clara forced her tears back but no longer repressed her intense feelings. She looked at Wren's back, still refusing to accept defeat. "Are you joking, Wren? You're

Ivy

the spot. She took in the cheers and congratulations from all around her, feeling dizzy like tumbling in a tornado. She didn't even notice it when Ivy snatched her