Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 48

Wren hadn't closed his eyes all night. His body was completely drained, pushed past its limits, yet sleep was nowhere in sight. Every time he shut his eyes, memories of Clara flooded his mind-years of shared moments playing on a loop. Since they were kids, Clara had always clung to him, no matter how cold or distant he tried to appear. She would follow him around, her sweet voice calling him "Wren" without the slightest hesitation or fear.

Bit by bit, she melted his defenses, slipping into his world.

He vividly remembered the day his mother passed away. At the funeral, Clara hugged him tightly, her tiny frame trembling as she cried harder than he did.

Even through her own grief, she tried to comfort him. She'd placed a small piece of candy in his hand, telling him it would make him feel better. He never had the heart to eat it-it was still tucked away somewhere safe.

When she was seven, her parents died. It was the first time Wren felt the instinct to protect someone-the first time he truly understood what it meant to take

"When she was seven, her parents died. It was the first time Wren felt the instinct to p responsibility for another person

her and being there for her as she grew up. He gave her all his affection and attention But when sa tumed 15, everything changed. Ween stumbled upon a boy confessing to her, and Clara, flustered and blushing, had smiled nervously. At that moment, Wien jealized she wash ta little c girl anymore. And for the first time, he felt a surge of

had grown

tell the difference between love and reliance. He figured there was no need to afterall, they had

feelings to him. She even kissed him. The joy that filled him at that moment was overwhelming, but a crushing neve of

held back everything he felt for her, hiding his nootiom behind aruld façade. He'd warried over the years as Clara's spark faded. She became quieter and inore withdrawn, and he knew his rejection had hurt her deeply. But how could

and guilt hated him every night, tormenting him until it felt ara had cure told him that

They had become inseparable, intertwined so deeply that he couldn't imagine

yet, Beir day were the had walked away, resolute

chest slurpened, ther pattu radiating Fluranghelem batter unde tugged

He had ruined everything

kande Wien clutched his chest, his reflection in the glass revealing his pale,

voice startled him. He turned to see the