Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

Chapter 60

Alexander had just finished rating and took a quick rinse in the bathroom. He looked slightly better-less pale and more composed.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, he threw on a clean shirt and went to answer it. When he opened the door, he noticed Clara standing there with another man behind her. His sharp eyes quickly took in the stranger's polished demeanor, which didn't quite match the small-town vibe,

He didn't say much, though. He just gave a curt nod of acknowledgment before stepping aside to let them in.

"This is Dr. Lincoln," Clara explained as she followed the doctor inside.

Charles Lincoln wasted no time. He took Alexander's temperature, asked him a few questions about his symptoms, and then began unpacking his medical kit. "It's likely vital," Charles said after a briel examination. "Medication alone might take a while to work I'll give you an IV drip to lower the fever faster." Alexander nodded. "Thanks for coming out," he said quietly, his usual reserved tone returning now that a stranger was present.

Charles prepared the intravenous drip with practiced efficiency, hoolding Alexander up and giving Clara instructions on monitoring the drip and removing the needle when it was done

"Here's my contact number," charles said, jotting it down and handing it to Clara. "It his fever hasn't gone down by tonight, call me, and I'll come back." "Thank you so much," Clara said gratefully. "How should I pay for the visit and medication?

At this, Alexander immediately reached for his phone. Before he could say anything, Charles waved her off.

"No need. Mr. Stone has already covered my fees

Clara blinked in surprise. She hadn't realized Charles was part of Ethan's extended network. Before she could respond, Alexander spoke up.

Thanks for coming all the way out," Alexander said, his voice firm. "But I don't like owing people anything. I'd prefer to pay for the visit and meds myself." Charles hesitated, glancing at Alexander's unwavering expression, before reluctantly agreeing to accept a symbolic amount. Once everything was settled, C Clara

walked the doctor out

After ensuring Charles' car pulled away, Clara debated reruming home but decided against it, she figured it would be easier to stay and help Alexander if needed, especially since she'd have to change his IV bag later.

When she came back upstairs, the room was quiet. Alexander was sitting on one side of the bed, scrolling through his phone, while she sat on the other side, doing

Clare was so engrossed in her screen that she didn't notice Alexander occasionally glancing her way. Her focus was interrupted when a message popped up on her

It was a message from Ryan. He said, "Ms. Salford, are you free today? Do you want to go for a walk? I can come pick you up. Clara troaned slightly and typed back a quick reply. "Sorry, I'm taking care of someone who's sick. I don't have time today." His reply came almost immediately. "Is it that friend you mentioned the other night?

Clare responded.

There was a peuse as the app displayed that he was typing, but he kept starting and stopping. Finally, a new message appeared. Ryan asked, "Is he your boyfriend? You two seem really close. Did he follow you here to volunteer, too?

Cala's brows furrowed at the prying questions. They had only met once, and this level of

personal curiosity felt inappropriate.

Combined with his beluvior at the dinner, she found herself growing increasingly uncomfortable. Moreover, she didn't want to get involved for Nina's sake.

Her response

11 Bryan was perceptive, he might have picked up on her tone and dropped the tople. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case.

He then set shother message "Oli, so you're single, too. I thought for sure he was your boyfriend."

Clare couldn't help but tank back to the welcome diner, remembering the subtle hostility she'd sensed from Nina toward her. The tension between Nina and Ryan had been obvious, and dynamic hinted at something more complicated than they let on. Still, Clara waurt interested in meddling inter people's personal attalis, especially when her own patience was wearing thin