Chapter 77

Alexander agreed without hesitation. After washing his hands, he left the kitchen, his footsteps fading down the hallway. As the room fell silent, Wren turned to Clara with a hopeful look on his face. "Clara, I knew it—you still care about me." Her response was like a bucket of cold water. "You're mistaken. I didn't want Alexander to know about our relationship. That's all—it wasn't for you." Wren's hopeful smile froze, the disbelief etched into his features. Each word from her felt like it was dragged through his teeth. "Who is that Alexander, anyway? How do you even know him?" "Wren, aren't you overstepping?" she shot back coolly. "You still see me as your brother, don't you?" Wren's voice grew louder, frustration creeping into his tone. "I've always looked after you—everything about your life was my responsibility. Why can't I do that now?" Clara chuckled softly, her tone somewhere between resignation and mockery. "Didn't Ivy tell me I'd grown up? That I should hav