As someone watching on the sidelines, she could see more clearly than anyone else that Wren and Clara's relationship had long since crossed the boundaries of sibling affection

Dat the two of them? One avoided the truth, while the other refused to face it, it haffled Shea how two people who clearly cared so deeply for each other had allowed things to spiral into such a mess

And then there was by, who had suddenly appeared in the middle of everything. She couldn't understand why Wren seemed so focused on her. Why had he repeatedly sidelined Clara for hve Their

Even among their close-knit group of trends, Wien had always been fiercely protective of Clara. Shea vividly remembered an incident years ago when one of the friends, drunk at a party, made aten inappropriate comments toward Clara, Worn bad lost it, beating the guy to the ground and throwing him out of the room. That friend had quietly disappeared from their circle afterward, never to be seen

Gara had always been Wren's priority-more important to him than his own life. Back then, She never imagined the two of them would end up like this. Now, looking back, it all seemed inevitable. After all, who wouldn't get tired after years of chasing someone who seemed unreachable? Someone who not only didn't retum their teelings but also appeared ready to marry someone else

So. Clara leaving wasn't a surprise to Shea What did surprise him was When.

We had never been the land of man to waver or act indecisively. If he'd decided to many Ivy, But the Wien sitting before him now?

This wash I't the man Shea once knew. When looked hollowed out,, consumed by regret and pain.

Was it by who had brought him to this breaking point? Or was it Wren himselt?

Shea had assumed it was a choice he'd made after careful thought

Deep down, Wien knew the answer Ivy might have been the catalyst, but he was the real reason for Clara's disappointment, the one who had pushed her to leave. His arrogance had brought them to this moment.

Regres? Pain? Of course, be felt those things, but what good did it do now? He had no one to blame but himself.

air, Wren said finally, his voice strained and raw. "She left because I let her down."

Shea teised an eyebrow, las skepticism clear as he let on a dry laugh. "You? Let her down? Wren, you've practically worshiped the ground she walks on. I don't buynoveldrama

he would intentionally hurt her.

reason, he felt an overwhelming need to unburden himself, to finally let the

Even with everything Wren had door to push Cara away in m When let out a bitter laugh, and lus hands cleared into tists on the table. For some r

recent years, Shea couldn't believe h words far'd been holding inside spill out

He told Shea everything-the arguments, the moments he'd failed to consider Clara's feelings, the dreams of bets he'd crushed.

painting meant to her, how it was her entire life And still, I let it all tall apart. I said things to her that I can never take back; I destroyed her." allstered in stigned silent, expression growing more serious as Wen's words painted a picture of the events leading up to Clara's departure. But Wren Tas berat Trend, and he really didn't want to see him so defeated and miserable because of this.

dara leaned back, crossing his arms, his frustration waiting with sympathy. "Look, Wien, you're not entitely wrong. You didn't have an obligation to save her at

"Accidents happen, and no one can predict these things but

at you can't herp beating yourself up over it. You've taken all the blame, and it's teating you apart. You're

What wonted the most wasn't just Wiens otional state but his physical health. He didn't think Wren could sustain this level of self-tonment much longer.

inale petarted. "Wrong is wrong, she It doesn't matter how I justify it. The damage is done."

The room fell silent, the weight of Wirn's words pressing downson them both.

After a long pause, thra spoke again, is vice call. "I'll keep helping you look for her not you new your ris

don't head back sons, you're gougleunent