Wren froze in place, memories flooding his mind like a tidal wave. He remembered when Clara first came to live with the Zachman family.

She had been timid and overly cautious, always reading the room and adjusting herself to avoid stepping out of line. It was clear she felt like an outsider, dependent on their kindness. Despite having housekeepers around, she would quietly do small chores herself, never asking for anything or demanding attention.

Wren, who was busy with school at the time, wasn't always around to keep an eye on her.noveldrama

What he didn't know then was that, in his absence, some of the housekeepers had been treating Clara terribly. They would boss her around when no one was watching, forcing her to do their work and use cruel words to belittle her.

They constantly reminded her that she was just a guest in the Zachman residence-a charity case. They threatened to get her kicked out if she wasn't compliant enough.

Afraid of being abandoned again, Clara never told

Wien about it. Whenever he asked if she was happy or if an

anyone was giving her a hard time, she would flash him a

day, Ween came home unexpectedly after spilling something on his clothes during school. He walked into the kitchen and found Clara washing dishes on a she lost her balance and tell, shattering a plate.

Before When could react, one of the housekeepers snapped at her, their voice dripping with venom. "You're useless-a total waste of space. It's only a matter of 're thrown out at her."

her tiny hands and her head

was bleeding from the broken pieces, but she didn't make a sound. She just crouched down, picking up the shards with her tiny h

moment, Worn had never felt rage like that before. The Zachman family prided itself on raising polite, well-mannered children Wren, for all his aloofness,

em impectful to the housekeeper, but that day, he lost it.

how Clara had been treated since moving in

ot the day, every housekeeper who had mistreated her was fired without exception. Even the long-time housekeeper who videt escape. He replaced them with people who knew better.

had served his mother

19

Cara had quietly tiptoed into his room, her face filled with worry. She apologized profusely, thinking she had caused trouble by breaking the plate. was only a terläget himself at the time, felt a deep wave of guilt. He should've known better than to leave her in the care of others. He had made a

the night. "You dont have to act like you're grown up. You're part of this family, and that means you can be as spoiled as you want. pears later, he had been the one to throw those words back in her face. He had told her she needed to "grow up and be reasonable. e him. Closing his eyes, Wren felt regret clawing at him, deep and unrelenting. He couldn't turn back time, and no amount of

regret could fix

Wien's pale tace, Clara was hit with a feeling-maybe regret of sadness. It wasn't t

reple they had once been to each other.

that she was heartbroken. She had come to terms with the reality that

night they had grown up they each had their own lives to lead, and it was time to move on. When didn't owe her anything

on said softly, ber voice calm but resolute. "I didn't think you'd come looking for me. I thought the message I sent before 1 lett made my decision clear.

atay

1t's better for both of us."

rapersson one of shock and disbelief. "What message? I never got a

Lany

by message from you!"

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