Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren) novel Chapter 1

"I'm going abroad to further my studies like you suggested, Aunt Katrina," said Clara Salford.

Katrina Caldwell's face brightened upon hearing that. It was as though she had been relieved of a heavy burden. "That's great, Clara! I'm glad you've finally thought it through.

"I'll help you with the admissions process and apply for a student visa at once. You'd best seize the time you have left this last month to say goodbye to your friends. After all, you won't be able to hang out with them again."

Just then, a hesitant expression crept onto Katrina's face. "Shall I tell Wren on your behalf?"

Clara balled her fists and shook her head. "I can tell him myself, Aunt Katrina."

"Alright, then. You can decide what to do." Katrina felt it wasn't her place to say anything more, so she nodded before leaving the living room.

Clara's palms were red when she unclenched her fists. Then, she silently stood, headed upstairs, and opened the door to her bedroom. Upon switching on the lights, it illuminated the wall full of pictures.

She approached the wall, her gaze settling on the centermost photo of two people.

The two stood in the bright spring daylight under lush, blossoming trees. The young man had bushy brows, and his head hung low as he smiled at the girl with a flowy white dress beside him. Those were Wren and Clara when they were 20 and 15 years old, respectively.

Clara reached up to touch the photo. She couldn't help but smile, yet tears silently welled in her eyes. Her vision soon blurred. Even so, the memories between her and Wren were crystal clear in her mind.

Alas, nothing was exempt from change. She and Wren could never go back to how they used to be.

Wren Zachman was Clara's older brother, but only in name. They weren't biologically related since he was Katrina's stepson. Katrina had been looking after him since his mother passed away.

Clara loved following the older and handsome Wren around as a little girl.

When Clara was seven years old, her parents died in a car accident. She was the only survivor. However, that caused the Salford family to see her as a scourge of bad luck. They saw her as the main culprit behind her parents' deaths.

Her grandmother kicked her out of the family during winter. It left her kneeling in the snow and nearly freezing to death.

Fortunately, Wren got there in time to save her.

Clara could remember even now how Wren suppressed his rage as he spoke to the Salford family that day.

He said, "If you, Salfords, refuse to care for her, I'll do it myself! Clara will be a Zachman from now on. She'll have nothing more to do with you guys."

Then, he warmly held Clara's hand and spoke with an unprecedented determination, "Come on. Let's go home."

Wren kept his promise after that. He practically raised Clara alone. With time, his proud love and care for her pulled her out of the pain and fear of losing her parents.

Clara couldn't help but feel touched every time he protected her. She couldn't avoid falling in love with Wren, who had kept her company and defended her as she grew up.

That was why she couldn't hold back the love in her heart on her 18th birthday.

Wren had said, "Today's your birthday, Clarey. I'll grant your wish, no matter what it is."

That was enough to make Clara tiptoe and kiss Wren. Yet, to her shock, Wren pushed her away at once.

"Do you know what you're doing, Clara? I'm your brother!"

Clara rebuked, "It's not like we're biologically related. You're not my actual brother! Why can't we be together?"

Wren's expression withered like never before. Even Clara had never seen him throw such a huge fit. He snapped, "I know you feel like you can depend on me, but dependence doesn't equal love! Don't ever bring up such things again!"

"Why can't I?" Clara stubbornly met Wren's eyes. "I love you! I know what my feelings are for you! Don't you like me, Wren?"

All warmth left Wren's eyes as he looked at Clara and snarled frostily, "You've lost your mind, Clara. You should calm down and think carefully about what you're doing. I want you to move out of my home if you dare say such revolting things again!"

After saying that, Wren slammed the door in her face and left.