Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren) novel Chapter 3

"Sorry, Aunt Katrina. It's all my fault for getting you into this mess." Clara lowered her head, gloom filling her chest.

Katrina gingerly applied some burn cream onto Clara's arm. A sigh left her lips as she watched Clara drown in self-blame. She voiced, "I'm the one who's no good. It's my fault you suffered earlier."

Katrina and Carlisle once lived a peaceful life. She used to think Carlise genuinely loved her. That was until Clara's parents, Katrina's biological sister and brother-in-law, passed away. That left Clara with nobody else to depend on except for her and Carlisle.

Yet, the business she and Carlisle had founded had also encountered issues at the time. That was when Carlisle began treating her colder by the day.

To maintain the business left behind by Clara's parents and raise Clara, Katrina had no choice but to endure the difficulties. She worked hard to keep the peace within the Zachman family.

That serenity continued on until four years ago when Carlisle brought Shirley and Ivy home. That was when Katrina saw the striking resemblance between her and Shirley. She finally understood Carlisle had only married her as a replacement for Shirley.

Likewise, her days in the Zachman family became more unbearable when Shirley moved in.

Katrina suppressed the bitterness brewing within her as she bandaged Clara. "Are you sure you can continue making art now that your hand's injured?"

Clara nodded, forcing a smile on her face. "Don't worry, Aunt Katrina. I've prepared almost everything I need. To become a famous artist and hold a national art exhibition was my mother's dying wish. I'm going to make it happen."

"Alright, then." Katrina was hesitant but soon asked, "Have you told Wren that you're going abroad?"

Clara stiffened before she lowered her head in silence.

Katrina put away the first aid kit, stood, and lightly patted Clara's shoulder. "Wren raised you on his own all these years. It's best if you find the chance to tell him one of these days."

"Okay," Clara murmured.

Following that, Katrina left with the first aid kit.

Clara changed into a fresh set of clothes and had just opened her bedroom door. That was when she saw Wren, who was about to enter his room, and Ivy, who walked beside him.

Wren's gaze swept past the gauze bandage on Clara's arm. Then, he froze. "Are you hurt?"

He instinctively rushed forward, wanting to grab her hand and inspect it closer.

Clara speedily hid her arm behind her back and avoided Wren's touch. Her actions caused her and Wren to pause in surprise. She dared not face Wren as she softly answered, "I'm fine."

Ivy had also bandaged her arm. She rolled her eyes at Clara and pretended to be shocked. "Are you copying me to trick your brother into caring about you, Clara?"

Wren's expression soured with disappointment at Clara just then.

Wren had let down Clara so many times that she gradually stopped feeling sad. She didn't explain herself, nor did she wish to do so. Wren wouldn't believe her, anyway.

She ignored her aching heart as she looked up at Wren. "Wren, I'm thinking of moving abr—"

Ivy stepped forward, hugged Wren's arm, and pouted. "I want to be closer to you, Wren! Could you move upstairs?"

Since Clara moved into this villa, only she and Wren lived on the third floor. Wren had specially hired someone to design her bedroom. It had the best lighting in the entire villa and was the largest bedroom.

On the other hand, Wren's room was opposite Clara's. He had picked that room back then for ease when caring for Clara. Now, it seemed like the right time for Clara to give up her bedroom to Ivy, the future head of this household.

"The remaining room is too small. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable while staying there." Wren frowned.

"Is he calling me out on purpose? Does he want me to be more considerate and surrender my room to his future bride at once?" Clara wondered. She couldn't help but tug her lips into a terse smile. She felt self-deprecating and lonely.

Regardless, she said, "I'd like to move downstairs, Wren."

Wren and Ivy never expected Clara to say that. While Ivy's eyes lit up in delight, Wren's frown deepened.