Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 98

Wren hadn’t slept all night. He spent hours lying in the dark, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his thoughts suffocating him.

As the first rays of light broke through the sky, he got up quietly and headed downstairs. By the time Clara came down, he was already in the kitchen, busying

himself at the stove.

when she saw him, for a fleeting moment, the sight overlapped with an image from her memories—the Wren who used to cook breakfast for her when they were younger Tut just as quicldy, the image blurred and faded.

lowered her gaze, avoiding him.

“You’re up,” Wren said, noticing her the moment she stepped into the room. He quickly timed off the stove and grabbed the pot of oatmeal he’d been simmering, “I made breakfast —cream of mushroom soup and surmy side–ups. If there’s anything else you want, just let me know. I can make it for lunch, too, if you’d like. He placed the pot on the table, ladling a portion into a bowl.

Clara said nothing, her expression distant.

When set the bowl in front of her, a nerves, almost childlike hopefulness on his face. “Here, try it before it gets cold. I know it’s your favorite.” However, she didn’t move. Her gaze shitted to him, steady and wielding.

„– Wren urged, his voice other now. “We can talk after.”

Clara stayed silent for a moment longer before she Imally spoke, her tone calm hat firm. “Wien, you should leave after breakfast.”

down in front

trying so hard to maintain cracked, and for a moment, he looked lost, Still, he set the b forcing himself to stay

just eat,”

you come here?” she asked, her tone unwavering. “Was it guilt or something else?” Wren

to go back to the Zachman family, but we both know I don’t belong there,” she continued.

how fy looks at me. She doesn’t want me there, and honestly, I don’t want to go back to the same environment where I have to

my

the best choice for everyone. You wouldn’t be tom between me and your fancée, and

thought it was i Aunt Joerrina wouldn’t have to

now, trying to undo it all?”

He knew she was right–he had no one to blame but himself for the situation they were

now.” he said finally, his voice hoarse with emotion. “But I promise, if you come back,

put in that

his chest tightening. “I won’t marry

boow fallowed. She studied his face, searching for something she couldn’t quite name. His words didn’t make sense; his actions didn’t make sense. “Why?” she asked, her voice steady. “Why now, Wen? After all this time, what’s the point of saying these things? Four years ago,

question Lung

and cutting. When couldn’t answer, not the way