Wren stared at Clara in disbelief. "You're asking me to leave?"

She avoided his gaze. "You can take it that way."

Without waiting for a response, she walked over to the cabinet, took out some bowls and utensils, and set them on the dining table.

When she turned back, she saw Wren still standing there, frozen.

"Come eat," she said. "It's getting dark, and it's not safe on the road."

Wren's heart sank upon seeing that she wasn't joking. At that moment, he resented how well he knew Clara. She was always serious, and there was no room for negotiation.

In the past, he had always thought it was good that she was so decisive with others, not easily swayed. He'd believed it protected her from emotional hurt. But now that the energy was directed at him, he realized just how painful that could be.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips as he walked out of the kitchen. He glanced through the window at the darkening sky, the rain about to pour. His eyes flashed with emotion.

"Fine. Let's eat first."

He sat at the table, quietly serving her soup and picking up dishes, never mentioning staying or asking Clara to leave with him.

Though Clara noticed the sudden change in his demeanor, she chose not to comment. The two of them ate silently, the dinner seemingly harmonious despite the tension.

After dinner, Wren was the first to act, quickly clearing the dishes and heading to the kitchen.

Clara watched him for a moment but said nothing. Instead, she headed upstairs.

Wren listened carefully for any sounds from her. A flicker of hope crossed his mind when he saw her head upstairs. Maybe, just maybe, her heart had softened, and she wouldn't push him out that night.

But he realized he had underestimated Clara's resolve when he finished washing the dishes and exited the kitchen.

His eyes fell on the packed suitcase, and he almost laughed in anger, but the look in his eyes was filled with disappointment and sorrow.

The girl he had raised didn't want him anymore. She was now in a hurry to push him away. He would have never believed it if this had been just a week ago.

"Is there really no room for negotiation?" His voice was thick with bitterness. "You can't wait two more days?"

Clara didn't know how to answer

him. She couldn't believe that Wren

would leave if she didn't agree after three days. She just wanted it to end sooner, so she had to harde her heart. , FindNovel

"Yes."

That one simple word felt like a heavy stone lodged in Wren's chest.

A faint laugh escaped him, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The pain was evident in his gaze. "Clara, I never thought your cruelty would be directed at me one day."

"I never thought we'd end up like this," Clara said, lifting her head to meet his gaze with a calm look.noveldrama

At that moment, Wren looked away, his gaze falling to the floor. He knew exactly who was responsible for the situation they found themselves in. Though this wasn't what he'd hoped for, he couldn't deny that he was the one who had been wrong.

"Alright," he said quietly. "I understand. You don't want me here. I'll leave."

He didn't say he was leaving. He

simply said he would go out. He

grabbed his suitcase and walk

door.

past Clara, stepping out the

With every step he took, Wren silently hoped she would call out to him and ask him to stay.

But she still hadn't said a word by the time he reached the door. She remained unmoved, silent.

Standing at the door, Wren looked out at the unfamiliar village. For the first time, a sense of confusion crept into his heart. Just then, he heard footsteps behind him.

His expression shifted, and he turned around. A flicker of hope sparked in his heart when he saw Clara stepping outside. "Clara..."

Clara looked up at the sky. It had grown even darker, the clouds thickening as though a torrential downpour was about to come.