"We're not even related by blood!" When's voice was raw with rinotion. "Don't call me your brother! You're not my sister."

Claza looked at him with calm detachment, her expression unchanging. To her, this was what he had wanted all along. She had given him exactly that-so why was he upset?

"In my heart, you'll always be my brother," she replied firmly..

With that, the yanked her hand free from his grasp and looked at him conlly. "You should be in Phoypolis, attending your engagement party, not here. Go back, and don't come here again." Without waiting for his reaction, she turned on her heel and headed toward the bike shed, planning to ride away,noveldrama

waiting for him back in Phoypolis,

Wren had always been a composed man, Clara believed he'd gotten the answer he wanted. He'd leave be had someone wa someone he'd longed for all this time. He'd leave.

Wren watched her walk away, his chest tightening as she grew father from him. He was about to follow when his phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking his stride. He hesitated before pulling it out. The screenlit up with a flood of missed calls and messages. The number on the screen was familiar, but Wrendsdn't hesitate to hang up. Instead, he opened a chat with Liam, typed a few brief instructions, and stepped into the cat, telling the driver to follow clara,

The atmosphere inside the car grew heavy. Neither i

Wien and Glam had been obvious

the driver nor john dared speak. Though they hadn't overheard the earlier conversation, the tension between

Still, the generous payment from Liam ensured their discretion. Whatever they'd witnessed would remain unspoken

Clara's home was near the school, just a short ride on her electric scooter. She noticed the car trailing behind her quickly. Though she couldn't see who was inside, her instincts told her it was Wien.

The car's behavior confirmed her suspicions. It didn't attempt to overtake her, maintaining a steady, deliberate distance as if to avoid alarming her.

Clasa didn't bother trying to shake him of. There was no point. If When had managed to find her so quickly, he undoubtedly already knew where she lived Eventually, she arrived at her small courtyard and rode through the gate.

Inside, Alesunder had been keeping an eye on the activity outside. Hearing the sound of her scooter, he jumped up from the couch and rushed out, planning to catch

Meanwhiin, Wren's car stopped

ed just beyond the courtyard wall. Alexander glanced briefly at the vehicle but didn't think much of it, continuing into Clara's yard with plactined familienty,

as Clara terved ter jacket and tied it on an apron, Alexander grinned and approached her. "So, how was the fir

Clara started to answer, but the sound of hurried footsteps behind Alexander cut off her words.

A maior filled with shock and toy rang our "Clara, who is he?"

When stood at the entrance, his eyes locked on Alexander

The Ligt of another man in Clara's hoine hiät Wien like a punch to the gut His sharp gaze quickly an Gemnedor Tids was no ordinary local

first day? Did everything go smoothly?"

assessed Alexander, noting his polished appearance and confident

Their was something vaguely familiar about him, though Wren couldn't quite place it. But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was why this man was in Clara's home.