A fleeting moment of worry crossed Clara's mind, but it vanished almost immediately.

She looked at Wren. "It's starting to rain. You should get a cab quickly. I'm sure Liam can help you with a ticket."

The hope in Wren's heart was extinguished instantly. He parted his lips to say something, but Clara didn't give him the chance. After speaking, she immediately closed the door, locking him out. Wren stood frozen for a full minute, the reality slowly sinking in.

Clara really didn't want him anymore.

She lingered by the door for a moment before walking back inside.

She grabbed a fresh set of pajamas in her upstairs bedroom and went into the bathroom. After a hot shower, she noticed it had started raining.noveldrama

The sharp sound of raindrops hitting the eaves echoed through the air, and the windows were streaked with water.

Clara walked toward the window as she dried her hair. The rain had soaked through the screen, so she hurried to close it.

The rain made the night fall earlier than usual, and it was almost impossible to see anything outside.

Clara hesitated for a moment before glancing toward the gate. But the darkness was thick, and she couldn't make out a thing.

Wren... should have left by now, right?

She suppressed the small stir of emotion in her chest and turned to grab the blow dryer. Halfway through drying her hair, she slipped on a knit cardigan and sat at her desk, planning to prepare for tomorrow's lessons. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but suddenly, she heard a notification from her phone on the nightstand.

Clara paused her writing, stretching her sore wrist before grabbing the phone.

After unlocking it, a message from Alexander appeared.

It was a blurry photo, clearly taken from his balcony, showing the area just outside her front door.

Clara opened the photo and zoomed in. A figure stood by her gate in the darkness. Though the face was indistinct, it was clearly a man.

In that instant, Clara thought of Wren.

He hadn't left?

Her grip tightened instinctively on the phone, and then another notification popped up.

"There's someone outside your door. Are you home? Do you need help?"

After reading Alexander's message, Clara stayed silent for a moment before replying, "It's fine. I can handle it."

"Alright. If you need anything, just let me know. I'm next door."

"Thank you."

Alexander didn't respond after that.

Clara put her phone down, glancing out at the pouring rain. After a moment of hesitation, she grabbed an umbrella and headed downstairs.

The rain was falling too heavily. Wren had taken refuge under the eaves but couldn't escape being drenched even then. He was a complete mess.

The cold seeped into his bones.

Despite his years of training, Wren could still feel the bitter chill pressing against him, his body. trembling from the cold. But he didn't knock on the door or plan to leave.

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BUMS

Clara had made it clear she wouldn't forgive him and wouldn't let him stay in the house. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to leave, afraid he might never be allowed to return if he did.

Moreover, Wren held onto a slim hope-a belief that Clara couldn't let go of the bond they'd shared for over ten years. He was betting that she still cared and had some lingering affection and concern for him.

Even if the chance was tiny, he still believed there was hope.

In the past, Wren would never have resorted to such a tactic. But times had changed. Even though he despised this strategy, he had no choice but to try.

Just as his hope was beginning to fade, and he was about to succumb to the cold, he suddenly heard the sound of a door opening behind him.

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