Chapter 52

As someone watching on the sidelines, Shea could see more clearly than anyone else that Wren and Clara's relationship had long since crossed the boundaries of sibling affection. But the two of them? One avoided the truth, while the other refused to face it. It baffled 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 Ivy, who had suddenly appeared in the middle of everything. Shea couldn't understand why Wren seemed so focused on her. Why had he repeatedly sidelined Clara for Ivy? Even among their close-knit group of friends, Wren had always been fiercely protective of Clara. Shea vividly remembered an incident years ago when one of their friends, drunk at a party, made a few inappropriate comments toward Clara. Wren had 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 again. Clara had always be