Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 74

I

Chapter

74

When froze in place, a surge of anger and fear crashing through him like a tidal wave, squeezing his chest until he could barely breathe. Heded to suppress the emotions that threatened to overtake him, but his face hardened, and he demanded, "What do you mean?" Clara looked at him calmly, her gare steady and devoid of emotion.

"When," she began quietly, her voice firm and measured. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. Aunt Katrina was always busy with work, but you raised, protected, and spoiled me.

"I'll never be able to repay that landness. I don't have much to offer,

H

to offer, but the things I sent with Aunt Katrina were my way of expressing gratitude" She paused briefly, then continued, her voice unwavering "I wasn't muture enogh before, I put myself in the wrong place and caused you a lot of trouble. For that, I owe van apology. 1 hope you and live can find happiness together. From now on, I'll treat you as nothing more than family-abrother. I won't entertain any foolish thoughts or dingt voor life anymore Herwinds were

precise and clear, without a hint of bittemess. Even

sincere, free of resentment of

say this aloud felt like a death sentence. It was

From the start, all he'd wanted was to distance her from the complications of his family. He'd thought she would never truly le

leave.

throat. He gripped her hand tightly, his voice breaking and filled

know I shouldn't have ignored your feelings because of Ivy. I shouldn't have left you alone at the banquet, shouldn't love

thought you'd leave.

years ago had once been the most certain

said softly, shading her head. "That's not my

steady, even calm. "You were right that day at the hospital. You're not my legal guardian, and we're not related by

right to expect you to save me. I said things

su remember? you

apology telt like a dagger to Waen's chest, piercing straight through his heart. Each word

anguish, his complexion pale as if all the blood had drained from