Chapter

73

Ninus raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Was it her parents?"

Frank replied. "He said he's her brother. He's really handsome, too-definitely doesn't look like any ordinary man,

Nina roze momentarily, her eyes flickering with a trace of calculation. Nobody seemed to notice.

videa Frank had been looking for her. As the school day ended, students streamed out of the gates, and she joined the crowd heading toward the exit. Wren stood near the school entrance, partially obscured by the bustle of parents waiting to pick up their children. Clara didn't notice him at first.

It wasn't until she stepped through the gate and someone called out, "Ms. Salford," that she instinctively smiled and looked in the direction f t That was when her eyes met Wien's

the voice

Clara trove, caught off guard. For a second, she just stood there, her mind blank. Then, as if by reflex, she tored on her heel, intending to head back inside. The last thing she wanted was to deal with him right now.

When hadn't expected her reaction. There was no excitement in her eyes-no warmth, no words. She simply tumed to leave, as if she couldn't get away from him fast enough. 11 felt like a blow straight to his chest. allowing the sting of her rejection, Wren quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wristnoveldrama

Why are you running away from me?"

Clara tried to pull her a free, but his grip didn't loosen. A few parents and students nearby glanced curiously in their direction, intrigued by the scene. Stuck in the awkward position of being the center of attention, Clara sighed and reluctantly turned to face him, "Wiril," she muntered, her voice barely audible. He might've missed it if he weren't so focused on her

"Come withone, he said firmly, tugging her gently toward a quieter comer.

Clara instinctively wanted to refuse, but the weight of the onlookers" stares made her hesitate. Swallowing her protests, she allowed herself to be led away Running wasn't the answer. When her aunt called to tell her Wren was loolong for her, she suspected he might eventually show up. What she hadn't anticipated was

And certainly not on the day of his engagement to vy

When ridurled in relief when she didn't resist further. Once they were in a secluded spot, he stopped but didn't let go of her wrist. His grip remained firm as if he leated she might disappear if he loosened his hold (larve you been avoiding me?" he asked, his voice tight.

Clara lowered her E

Upon seeing her suence, Wien's frustrationbubbled to the surface. The past week had been a torment-sleepless nights, endless searching, and an overwhelming lear that he'd lost her forever

"You've crally grown bold, haven't you?" he snapped, las tone tinged with both anger and pain. "You ran off to some remote town to teach without saying a word.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"

A flicker of emotion crossed Clara's face, something between guilt and resignation. She had expected Wrento search for her. She'd assumed her leaving would ateliet for lam—a dance tond lususelt of the burden she represented, lait now -

plate ed at tum, taking in his disheveled clothes and the weariness etched into his face. He looked nothing like lus usual self. For a moment, her feelings were a

how she drit, the law one thing he shouldn't have come. Their chapter had ended back in Phoypolis.

tists about may derision" Clara said quietly "she approved it. I didn't think I needed to explain it to you, clude adding, lært Tone glowing lumer, "And I never asked you to come. You shouldn't have "

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