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.

Clara and Wren ended the conversation on bad terms that day. Since then, there seemed to be an invisible wall between them, keeping them apart.

Wren even stopped coming home every day. Clara struggled to see him once a week.

At that point, Clara was terrified. She didn't like this version of Wren, so she hung her head in defeat and wanted to make amends.

Clara bought two custom rings, hoping to give them to Wren on his birthday.

Yet, as she approached the private room that day, she overheard someone talking to Wren. They asked, "Why isn't your clingy adoptive sister here today, Wren?"

"Can you not bring her up? What a total buzzkill," Wren answered.

Clara stiffened. She could see the annoyance on Wren's face through the slight crack of the opened door. Her smile tensed bitterly.

Still, she refused to give up and summoned the courage to enter the room with her gift. "Happy birthday, Wren—"

Wren's face darkened once he saw her. "Why are you here?"

Clara ignored the bitterness in her chest as she gingerly handed the gift to Wren. "I designed this for you myself. There's something I want to tell you—"

Wren didn't bother sparing her a single glance. Instead, he abruptly held the hand of a woman beside him. With a face full of smiles, he announced, "Ivy and I are getting engaged next month. Everyone's welcome to attend our engagement party then!"

Ivy Jones was a girl whom Wren's dad, Carlisle Zachman, introduced to the Zachman family.

How could Ivy and Wren get together? Clara forced her tears back but no longer repressed her intense feelings. She looked at Wren's back, still refusing to accept defeat. "Are you joking, Wren? You're only getting engaged with someone random because you want me to give up on you, right?"

Wren turned around to stare at her coldly. His tone was sarcastic. "You're overthinking things. Ivy and I have long been seeing each other. You should address her as your future sister-in-law."

Clara froze on the spot. She took in the cheers and congratulations from all around her, feeling dizzy like tumbling in a tornado. She didn't even notice it when Ivy snatched her gift.

Ivy opened the gift before everyone, revealing the pair of rings. Then, she exclaimed in disgust, "Oh, my God! I can't believe she got you rings! She's not trying to propose to you, is she, Wren?"

Clara finally snapped out of her dazed state. By then, everyone gave her strange looks and whispered about her. Her lips trembled, and she wanted to say something.

However, Clara received a repulsed look from Wren. He said, "I told you that I'm your brother! How could you still harbor such revolting intentions?"

Wren grabbed the ring box and threw it into the garbage bin. He tossed it away like it was trash, much like how he treated Clara's feelings for him.

Every muscle in Clara's body froze as a chill seeped into her limbs and heart. She never imagined Wren would find her feelings this repulsive.

Clara couldn't remember how she left that private room, but Wren didn't follow her. Memories of her and Wren flooded her mind, and she went home in a daze.

She couldn't hold back anymore once she saw Katrina. She lunged into the latter's arms and cried in agony.

Katrina only spoke up once Clara calmed down. She said, "Clara, about the studying abroad thing… I hope you'll give it another serious thought.

"I know I've been so busy with the company these past few years that I haven't had time to look after you properly. Plus, Wren raised you alone, so I get that you can't bear parting with him. But your crush has to end sooner or later.

"I don't want to see you get hurt."

Katrina had suggested that Clara study abroad half a month ago. However, Clara couldn't bring herself to part with Wren. She wanted to keep winning over his affections.

Now that she finally had her answer, she had completely given up on him. She figured it was time to let go.

Clara tucked away her memories, wiping her tears as she removed each framed photo off the wall.

She needed to leave now that Ivy was about to be the new lady of the Zachman family. It was inappropriate to have these photos, which represented her and Wren's past, lying around.

Clara took out the pictures from the frames. Then, she burnt them all to ashes, like her love for Wren.

Chapter 2

That was when someone knocked on the door.

Clara's hand jolted, but she quickly composed herself and went to open the door. When she did, she came face to face with Wren's darkened gaze. Her hands instinctively balled into fists. "You're back, Wren…"

Wren didn't meet her eyes. Instead, his gaze swept past the smoke inside her room, and his brows furrowed. "What are you burning in there?"

Clara was about to speak, but Ivy stepped forward to intimately link arms with Wren. Ivy's lips curled into a smug grin at Clara.

In that instance, Clara suddenly understood a saying she had once heard—some people could take everything from another person just by existing.

Clara forced the words she wanted to say down her throat. Then, her dull tone rang out as she lied, "I was burning some useless sketches."

Surprisingly, Wren believed her and didn't bother looking into it more. He held Ivy and turned around, wanting to return to his room.

"Wait," Clara instinctively called out. "There's something I want to tell you, Wren."

She wanted to give him a proper goodbye.

Alas, Wren immediately frowned.

Before he could say anything, Ivy beat him to lecturing Clara. "Wren only sees you as his little sister, Clara! Don't tell me you're still stubbornly hanging onto your hopes and planning to latch onto him."

"No, that's not it—"

"Enough! Don't ever bother me from now on unless it's important," Wren interrupted Clara, not giving her a chance to explain.

Clara couldn't ignore the burning sensation in her nostrils and the stinging of her eyes. Wren would never say such things to her in the past. He knew she never felt secure, so he always comforted her and put her first.

Wren once said everything about Clara was important to him. Yet, he was now giving his total attention to Ivy.

He could never bear seeing her cry even a tear and would always be helpless in that situation before. Now, he couldn't care less when he saw her cry.

Clara couldn't hold it back anymore. She spun on her heel miserably and shut her bedroom door like she was running away.

…

That night, Clara didn't sleep well. She dreamt all night long of her and Wren's past.

Since Clara's parents died, Katrina had taken over the family company. Katrina would always work until late at night.

Because of that, Wren learned to care for Clara. He never had to do anything for himself, but for Clara's sake, he learned to do the laundry and cook.

When Clara had cramps because of her period, he learned to prepare soothing teas for her. Clara was also afraid of thunderstorms. So, he stayed by her bedside all night and soothed her until she slept.

Once, Clara's classmates mocked her for being an orphan. That was the first time Wren got into a physical fight. He told everyone Clara was his family's one and only princess.

Clara dreamt of his gentle expression and fell deeper in love with him. In the next second, his expression turned into utter contempt and shock as he said, "You disgust me, Clara."

That jolted Clara out of her dreams. She still had tears on her face, and they even stained her pillow.

Her eyes were incredibly swollen. She barely concealed how haggard she looked after washing up and putting on some makeup. She got changed before heading downstairs, wanting to run errands at her university.

That was when she happened upon Ivy, who seemed busy in the kitchen.

"Oh, Clara, you're up." Ivy held a bowl of warm oatmeal porridge. With a smile, she waved Clara over. "I cooked up your favorite oatmeal porridge. Try some!"

Clara refused to interact with Ivy, who pretended nothing had happened. "No, it's fine. I—"

"Are you still blaming me for taking your gift at Wren's birthday party? I didn't mean to. Can you please not be angry at me, your sister-in-law?" Ivy's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip nervously like she was the victim.

Clara struggled to accept the words "sister-in-law". She suppressed her emotions and tried to walk around Ivy to leave.

Little did she expect Ivy to step forward at that moment.

The two collided. The boiling oatmeal splashed onto Ivy while the bowl shattered on the ground.

"What are you doing, Clara?" Wren's livid roar filled the air as he charged forward to rip Clara away from Ivy. Concern filled his face as he picked up Ivy's hand, which the oatmeal porridge had scalded.

"You can take it out on me if you're upset, Clara—but don't do anything to Ivy. I want you to apologize to her now!" he bellowed.

Wren hadn't bothered to ask what had happened before blaming Clara for the incident. That left Clara frozen. The oatmeal had also burned her, so the back of her hand was red and in pain. Yet, it was nothing compared to how hurt she felt.

Back then, Wren would always realize it first whenever she got hurt. It didn't matter if her skin had only reddened slightly. However, he only noticed Ivy now.

"Wren, Clara's just still upset at me. I doubt she intentionally set out to harm me. Please don't be mad at her."

"Is this how I raised you, Clara? To be someone who doesn't apologize when they've done something wrong? How did you turn out like this?

"I'm so disappointed in you. Apologize to Ivy at once! Do you hear me?"

Clara looked up in disbelief at Wren.

She remembered how someone had spread the word about her being an orphan when she was in high school. Everyone soon found out.

During a gym class, the funds her class had gathered went missing. Clara had briefly returned to the classroom because she was on her period. Because of that, her classmates viewed her as the biggest suspect.

Everyone called her a thief, saying an orphan like her likely had a nasty habit of stealing.

Wren was already interning at the family company. He was their representative in negotiating a large business order worth tens of millions of dollars.

Upon learning of the incident, Wren rushed home on an overnight flight to defend her honor. He insisted that the school investigate the truth and clear her name. Wren said he would always believe Clara at the time.

Only a few years had passed since, yet Wren trusted another person wholeheartedly.

Clara forced a bitter smile as she took in Wren's face. "Would you believe me if I said I didn't do it?"

Wren pursed his lips, his gaze sinking deep into her while he remained silent.

Clara's heart turned colder by the second.

Footsteps rang out from behind as Carlisle descended the stairs. He looked at the scene before him with displeasure. "I heard you guys arguing from upstairs! What's going on?"

Ivy instantly recounted the incident before shooting a helpless look at Clara. "Clara, I know you can't accept that I'm your brother's girlfriend. However, Wren eventually has to get married. You can't throw this temper tantrum forever."

Carlisle's stern glare snapped toward Clara at once. "You're being inconsiderate, Clara! Hurry up and apologize to Ivy!"

"I swear I didn't do it," said Clara.

Nobody believed Clara's weak explanation. They just stared at her with accusatory and judging looks.

That was when Katrina and Shirley Jimenez, Ivy's mother, came downstairs.

Shirley pushed Katrina aside and ran over to hold Ivy's hand when she saw Ivy injured. Feeling worried, she voiced, "Ivy has another piano competition next month! It's important to her, and she can't risk any harm to her hands! You've gone too far, Clara!"

"I didn't do it…" Clara truly understood what it was like to be unable to fight back.

Katrina felt distressed for Clara. She then rushed forward to shield the latter behind her.

That garnered a disapproving look from Carlisle right away. "You're always busy with running that worthless business. Look at how your niece turned out! She attacks someone, lets her jealousy get the best of her, and refuses to admit her faults!

"You'll take her place since she won't apologize. Go and apologize to Shirley and Ivy at once!"

"It has nothing to do with Aunt Katrina, Uncle Carlisle!" exclaimed Clara. She knew Katrina had suffered many grievances because of Shirley these past few years.

Shirley was Carlisle's old flame when he was younger. Carlisle had brought her and Ivy to the Zachman residence a few years ago after her divorce. He then openly allowed the two to live with his family.

Carlisle's bias toward Shirley made her seem more like his wife than Katrina was.

Katrina had also avoided interacting with Shirley and Ivy the entire time. Little did she expect Ivy to end up dating Wren.

Clara could never allow Katrina to endure such injustice on her behalf. So, she tolerated her bitterness and unwillingness while lowering her head. "It was my fault. I'm sorry, Ivy."

It had taken her a great deal of effort to muster that apology.

Aggrievement suffocated her from the inside until, ultimately, all she felt was disappointment.

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.

Ivy feared Wren would refuse, so she beat him at speaking up. "Do you mean it, Clara? Can I have your room, then?"

"Yeah." Clara nodded. She was only living under the Zachman family's roof as their foster child. What right did she have to interfere with allocating rooms to others?

Wren felt uneasy after seeing Clara so silent. He stepped ahead, wanting to say something, but Ivy held him back. "Gosh, Wren! You're such an attached older brother.

"Clara's older now. Plus, you and I are about to be engaged. She must find it awkward living in such close proximity with you. You should've helped Clara switch to another room long ago!"

After lecturing Wren, Ivy flashed her pearly whites in a big smile at Clara. "Don't you agree, Clara?"

Wren glanced at Clara with a grim expression. "Do whatever you want," he said before entering his room.

Clara kept her emotions under control and wanted to leave. Yet, Ivy blocked her way.

Ivy sneered, "I'm so glad you made the first move in offering to switch rooms, Clara. Wren was stressed about how to go about asking you for it. It's awkward having you next door when we want to be a little intimate at night."

She pretended to be abashed while saying that. Yet, the provocative arrogance in her eyes was unconcealable.

Clara suddenly felt exhausted. It was like her body was an empty shell, and nothing could stir up any emotions within her anymore.

…

Clara would graduate in half a year. After she agreed to Katrina's suggestion last night, Katrina informed the school about it this morning. So, once Clara arrived at school today, she got the transfer process done smoothly.

Since it was still early, Clara wanted to ask her friend out to catch up. Alas, her friend was busy today, so they made plans for tomorrow instead.

Upon arriving home, Clara noticed the Zachman residence's housekeepers were moving things downstairs. She immediately recognized that they were moving her belongings.

Clara went to her bedroom door and saw it was wide open. Everything inside her room was a mess.

Inside, Ivy stood arrogantly, like she called the shots. She instructed the housekeepers to move everything out at once.

A housekeeper was about to leave the room with Clara's belongings. Just then, she saw Clara standing outside the door. Her face slightly paled with panic as she uttered, "M-Ms. Salford."

Only then did Ivy notice Clara's presence. Still, she motioned the housekeepers to continue moving Clara's things. Then, she put on a friendly demeanor and approached to grab Clara's arm.

She smilingly stated, "Oh, you're back, Clara. I hope you're not mad that I started moving things before getting your approval."

Clara ignored the former. Instead, she watched the housekeeper continue to move her things after receiving Ivy's instruction. Her chest tightened at that sight.

Wren used to spoil Clara so much that even Carlisle couldn't enter her room without her permission. Yet, here Ivy was, moving her things without bothering to inform her.

It seemed to Clara that Wren's biased love for Clara ran deep into his bones.

"It's fine. I'd have to move my things sooner or later," Clara answered, her gaze hanging low.

Ivy stared at Clara while intentionally trying to provoke the latter by bragging, "It's all Wren's fault. I told him there was no rush, but he wouldn't listen. He says he wants to see me first thing every morning.

"Isn't he the worst for not considering your feelings? He's still your brother, after all! How could he be so insensitive?"

Clara thought, "Because he's saved all his thoughtfulness for you. So, that's why this is happening—he couldn't even wait for half a day to pass."

At the thought, she pursed her lips self-deprecatingly. She removed Ivy's grasp on her arm before heading downstairs without saying anything.

Her belongings sat in a messy pile at the end of the hallway downstairs, where a small room with bad lighting was. She no longer wanted to think about who had decided to give her this room since she would be leaving soon.

Clara put her things away. Then, she placed everything Wren gave her these past few years in the storage room beside her new bedroom. She figured Katrina would return those things to Wren after she left.

She refused to take them with her abroad, just like she had accepted that there would be no future for her and Wren.

Chapter 4

Clara got ready and headed out early this morning since she had plans to meet her friend. She was about to get an Uber when someone patted her shoulder from behind.

The person said, "Clara."

Clara turned around and saw Ivy behind her. The latter held Wren's hand and was beaming.

While being caught off guard, Clara happened to meet Wren's eyes. She didn't shy away from him. Instead, she calmly stared at him. There was no longer a passionate spark in her eyes like before.

She gave a simple hum of acknowledgment and went back to getting an Uber.

Wren was unaccustomed to her being so distant. He felt that she had changed a lot now that she seldom spoke. He couldn't help but ask, "Don't you have classes today? Where are you headed this early in the morning?"

Shock flickered in Clara's eyes. She was surprised that Wren knew about her class schedule. Still, she dared not overthink things and only responded with a low voice, "I'm meeting a friend today."

"What—" Wren frowned and was about to probe into the matter more, but Ivy tugged at his arm just then.

"Clara's already an adult. She should be allowed to have some privacy to herself. You may be her older brother, but don't tell me you plan on bossing her around forever," Ivy lectured. "Who knows? Maybe Clara's going to see her boyfriend.

"Quit interrogating her about it. She might feel embarrassed if you do."

Wren glanced at Clara, who didn't refute. She merely stood in silence and looked at her phone. Inexplicable frustration arose in his chest as he grumbled, "Where are you headed? I'll drive you."

Before Clara could refuse, Ivy spoke up, "Wren, don't we have an appointment with the designer to make custom clothes for our wedding? We might not have enough time to drop Ivy off at her destination."

Upon hearing that, Wren immediately told Clara, "You'll have to get your own ride, then."

He didn't even wait for Clara's response before bringing Ivy into his car and driving off.

Clara watched as his car traveled into the distance. Her nose felt prickly, but she suppressed her sorrow.

She was in a villa residential area, so getting a taxi or Uber wasn't easy. She had no choice but to walk further out of the area since her Uber app indicated no drivers were available. Only after walking for what felt like ages was she able to get a ride.

…

It was noon when Clara finished visiting an art exhibition with her friend. She then went to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

Lena Summers was Clara's best friend. Lena was shocked Clara wanted to study abroad and would likely live there permanently. She exclaimed, "What's with the sudden decision? Does your brother know? Would he even agree to it?"

Clara didn't quite know how to explain the current state of her relationship with Wren. So, she could only lie by nodding. "He's agreed to it. After all, he and I don't share any blood relations.

"Plus, he's about to be engaged. It would be appropriate if I continued to live in his family home."

Lena cast a conflicted look at the former while cautiously asking, "Clara, are you actually okay with going abroad and leaving Wren?"

Clara's fingers tightened around her cutlery as she forced a smile. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm already an adult and should start a new life soon. He has his future to worry about, too. We're bound to separate at some point."

"I can't believe you're able to move on." Lena looked surprised. "Wren was so nice to you! He was so worried you'd be picked on if he wasn't around that he declined Timberfell University when they offered him direct admission into their institution. Instead, he chose to study at a local university.

"Then, when rumors spread after a boy failed to court you, he risked getting punished just to give that boy a beating. And remember the fall school trip when you were lost in the mountains? He went up there to search for you, even though he had a foot cast and needed crutches to walk…"

Lena and Clara had been friends since high school. Because of that, Lena had witnessed everything that happened between Clara and Wren. She couldn't help but sigh while recounting all the memories.

She asked, "Why did things change between you two all of a sudden?"

Clara froze while recalling the past, but she ultimately looked down with sorrow.

Lena noticed the former's silence and no longer dared to mention Wren. She instantly changed the topic.

After lunch, the two planned to return to their university when they happened to pass by a time-honored pastry shop nearby.

Clara loved the elderflower muffins from that pastry shop. Although the shop was popular, they only baked a limit of 200 muffins daily. No matter how busy Wren was before, he would always queue in person to buy those muffins for her if she wanted them.

Lena saw Clara staring at the pastry shop, so she brought the latter to queue for their baked goods. While doing so, she lamented, "The shop's owner is retiring because he's grown old. Today's the last day this shop is running, so we won't be able to have their pastries anymore."

Clara stiffened. As she turned to look at the shop, her gaze locked on the man standing ahead. It was Wren. What was he doing here?

Her gaze traveled downward to the bag of several pastries and baked goods in Wren's hand. Among the pastries was her favorite muffin.

It was evident that Wren didn't expect to see Clara there. He glanced at Lena, who stood beside Clara, before saying, "Are you guys here to buy some pastries?"

"Yeah," Clara glumly answered while nodding.

Wren was about to speak when the shop's owner spoke up from in front, announcing, "Our elderflower muffins have sold out. Feel free to consider the other pastries instead."

Lena hadn't noticed Wren was there. She heard the owner's announcement and whipped her head around to tell Clara, "What a pity. You couldn't make it in time to have the muff—"

She hadn't finished speaking, but she soon saw Wren and the muffins in his grasp. Her eyes lit up. "Wren! Did you specially buy those muffins for Clara because you knew this shop was closing its doors after today?"

Wren peered at Clara and was about to say something.

"Are you still not done buying the pastries, Wren?" Ivy came over to affectionately hug Wren's arm. Only then did she realize Clara was there. "What a coincidence!

"Did you come here for pastries, too, Clara? This shop's renowned for its elderflower muffins. Wren brought me here to try them since he heard I hadn't had them before. I didn't think we'd bump into you here."

Lena cocked a brow while studying Ivy. Then, she silently held Clara's hand, wanting to give the latter some comfort. Little did she expect Clara to react coldly.

Clara pursed her lips together and said nothing.

Ivy wasn't offended. She just coquettishly asked Wren, "Did you buy the muffins?"

"Of course. I can get you anything you want to eat." Wren flashed an endearing smile at Ivy before passing her the muffin.

Ivy subtly shot a triumphant look at Clara before commenting, "It looks like a lot of people are queuing for this shop's pastries. Why don't we share some of our pastries with Clara? It's not like we can finish all these anyway."

"Sure," Wren smilingly agreed. Yet, he didn't even spare Clara a glance as he handed her a random pastry.

Clara looked at the words "Almond Pastry" on the paper bag, her lips tugging into a tense smile. She was severely allergic to almonds and even got hospitalized because of them. Since that incident, Wren forbade that ingredient from entering their household.

He seemed to have forgotten all about it now. Then again, maybe it was more like he no longer cared.

Fortunately, Clara had already decided to give up on Wren. From now on, she would only see him as an older brother.

She no longer cared even as Wren and Ivy showed public displays of affection like nobody was around. She was unbothered by seeing Wren give someone else something that once belonged to her. Likewise, she couldn't care less that he had forgotten about her allergy.

Clara didn't feel as miserable or in pain anymore.

As for Ivy's constant provocation, Clara wouldn't pay them any mind or get involved with them from now on.

Clara looked up at Wren with a calm gaze before indifferently replying, "No, thanks, Wren. If there's nothing else you need, Lena and I will be heading off now."

She then led Lena out of the shop without any hesitation.