Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 78

Wren froze in place, memories flooding his mind like a tidal wave. He remembered when Clara first came to live with the Zachman family.

She had been timid and overly cautious, always reading the room and adjusting herself to avoid stepping out of line. It was clear she felt like an outsider, dependent on their kindness. Despite having housekeepers around, she would quietly do small chores herself, never asking for anything or demanding attention.

Wren, who was busy with school at the time, wasn't always around to keep an eye on her.

What he didn't know then was that, in his absence, some of the housekeepers had been treating Clara terribly. They would boss her around when no one was watching, forcing her to do their work and use cruel words to belittle her.

They constantly reminded her that she was just a guest in the Zachman residence-a charity case. They threatened to get her kicked out if she wasn't compliant enough.

Afraid of being abandoned again, Clara never told

Wien about it. Whenever he asked if she was happy or if an

anyone was giving her a hard time, she would flash him a

school. He walked into the kitchen and found Clara washing dishes on a she lost

at her, their voice dripping with venom. "You're useless-a total waste of space. It's only a matter of 're thrown out

hands

sound. She just crouched down, picking up the

never felt rage like that before. The Zachman family prided itself on raising polite, well-mannered children

to the housekeeper, but that day, he

Clara had been

had mistreated her was fired without exception. Even the long-time housekeeper who videt escape. He replaced them with people who knew

had served his mother

19

worry. She apologized profusely, thinking she had caused trouble by breaking the plate. was only a terläget himself at the time, felt a deep wave of guilt. He

to act like you're grown up. You're part of this family, and that means you can be as spoiled as you want. pears later, he had been the one to throw those words back in her face. He had told her she needed to "grow up and be reasonable. e him. Closing his eyes, Wren felt regret clawing at him,

regret could fix

a feeling-maybe regret

once