Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 3

"Sorry, Aunt Katrina. It's all my fault for getting you into this mess." Clara lowered her head, gloom filling her chest.

Katrina gingerly applied some burn cream onto Clara's arm. A sigh left her lips as she watched Clara drown in self-blame. She voiced, "I'm the one who's no good. It's my fault you suffered earlier."

Katrina and Carlisle once lived a peaceful life. She used to think Carlise genuinely loved her. That was until Clara's parents, Katrina's biological sister and brother-in-law, passed away. That left Clara with nobody else to depend on except for her and Carlisle. Yet, the business she and Carlisle had founded had also encountered issues at the time. That was when Carlisle began treating her colder by the day.

To maintain the business left behind by Clara's parents and raise Clara, Katrina had no choice but to endure the difficulties. She worked hard to keep the peace within the Zachman family.

That serenity continued on until four years ago when Carlisle brought Shirley and Ivy home. That was when Katrina saw the striking resemblance between her and Shirley. She finally understood Carlisle had only married her as a replacement for Shirley. Likewise, her days in the Zachman family became more unbearable when Shirley moved in.

Katrina suppressed the bitterness brewing within her as she bandaged Clara. "Are you sure you can continue making art now that your hand's injured?"

Clara nodded, forcing a smile on her face. "Don't worry, Aunt Katrina. I've prepared almost everything I need. To become a famous artist and hold a national art exhibition was my mother's dying wish. I'm going to make it happen." "Alright, then." Katrina was hesitant but soon asked, "Have you told Wren that you're going abroad?"

Clara stiffened before she lowered her head in silence.

Katrina put away the first aid kit, stood, and lightly patted Clara's shoulder. "Wren raised you on his own all these years. It's best if you find the chance to tell him one of these days." "Okay," Clara murmured.

Following that, Katrina left with the first aid kit.

Clara changed into a fresh set of clothes and had just opened her bedroom door. That was when she saw Wren, who was about to enter his room, and Ivy, who walked beside him. Wren's gaze swept past the gauze bandage on Clara's arm. Then, he froze. "Are you hurt?"

He instinctively rushed forward, wanting to grab her hand and inspect it closer.

Clara speedily hid her arm behind her back and avoided Wren's touch. Her actions caused her and Wren to pause in surprise. She dared not face Wren as she softly answered, "I'm fine."

rolled her eyes at Clara and pretended to be shocked. "Are you copying me

expression soured with disappointment at Clara

many times that she gradually stopped feeling sad. She didn't

her aching heart as she looked up at

arm, and pouted. "I want to be closer

had specially hired someone

was opposite Clara's. He had picked that room back then for ease when caring for Clara. Now, it seemed like the right time for Clara to give up her bedroom to Ivy, the future head of this household.

out on purpose? Does he want me to be more considerate and surrender my room to his future bride at once?" Clara wondered. She couldn't help but tug her lips into a terse smile. She felt self-deprecating and lonely. Regardless, she said, "I'd

Clara to say that. While Ivy's eyes lit

speaking up. "Do you mean it, Clara? Can I

family's roof as their foster child. What right did she have to interfere with allocating

ahead, wanting to say

She must find it awkward living in such close proximity with you. You should've helped Clara switch to another room long

lecturing Wren, Ivy flashed her pearly whites in a big smile at Clara.

grim expression. "Do

her emotions under control and wanted to leave. Yet,

"I'm so glad you made the first move in offering to switch rooms, Clara. Wren was stressed about how to go about asking you for it. It's awkward having you next door

an empty shell, and nothing

...

informed the school about it this morning. So, once Clara arrived at school today, she got the transfer process done smoothly. Since it was still early, Clara wanted to ask her friend out to catch up. Alas, her friend

moving things downstairs. She immediately recognized that they

saw it was wide open. Everything

Ivy stood arrogantly, like she called the shots. She instructed the

then, she saw Clara standing outside the