Chapter 161

"I'm sorry I'm late," Wren said softly. He reached out, his fingertips trembling as they gently caressed Clara's cheek, still red from the slap. His crimson eyes shimmered faintly with unshed tears, as if struggling to hold back the emotions threatening to overflow. His voice was filled with guilt and pain. After a long moment, Wren let go and knelt down in front of her. "Come on, I'll take you home," he said. His voice was unusually gentle and resolute, like a ray of warm sunlight on a cold winter's day, falling upon her. Clara couldn't resist reaching out, as if to touch that light. But just as she did, Wren turned away, his expression instantly cold and distant. His gaze became icy, cutting to the bone as he flung her hand aside. "Clara, how dare you love me? You disgust me." Those two cold, heartless sentences left her frozen in place. A sharp pain shot through her chest, and the biting chill crept over her once more. It felt like she was drowning again, watching the figur