Your Love Is But a Dream

already told him to go back. “Clara trailed off, her brows furrowed. But what could she do if he didn’t listen?

“I let him know, Aunt Katrina,” she finally said, keeping her tone steady. “If I see him again, I’ll make sure to “Alright, and make sure you stay safe out there. Call me if you need anything. ” “Will do.”

pass the message on

The call ended, and Clara held the phone for a moment longer than necessary. She glanced up at the sky, now heavy with clouds. The dark gray mass churned above, promising min

He should’ve left by

now, she thought, brushing her worries aside. Wren wasn’t the type to linger when he knew the consequences waiting for him back home. Cara tucked her phone into her bag and returned to the classroom to finish het lesson. The last of her two afternoon classes went smoothly, but her thoughts wandered.

As soon as the final bell rang, she gathered her things and decided to head home. Despite trying to push it aside, the unease gnawed at her.

When the exited the school gates, the scanned her surroundings almost involuntarily. The absence of that tall, familiar figure made her heart twist–whether it was peel or disappointment, she couldn’t quite tell.

herself, mounting her bike. He has to have gone back

the first thing she noticed was how tightly shut the front door was. There were no

she hadn’t realized she’d

the weight of stillness. She ticked on the light, Illuminating the living room as she walked toward the

then, she Iro

was Wien, his broad frame awkwardly folded into the small space.

she stared at

usually composed face were softer now, wom down by exhaustion. Dark circles were carved beneath his eyes, betraying how little sleep he’d had. In the warm glow of the lamp, the sharp edges of his features seemed less intimidating, almost

bag down quietly. She studied his face, her heart twisting in a way she didn’t want to acknowledge. He

Worn she’d

But those days were long gone. She’d crossed the

battemess. Why did it have to come to this? she

turned toward the stairs, interd on grabbing a blanket. If Wren stayed here and