novelxo Chapter 8
"Are you done talking on the phone?" Wren's voice rang out behind Ivy.
Still holding the phone, she trembled a little with guilt. She quickly regained her composure as she turned around, returning the phone to him with a smile. "My mother and Carlisle are still outside having their meal. Where shall we eat later?" "Let's just eat something nearby," Wren answered plainly. He took the phone from Ivy and glanced at it. There were no notifications, which was unusual.
After all, he had stood Clara up. It was odd that Clara did not even send him a text.
Gripping the phone tightly, Wren felt a strange sense of uneasiness bubble in his heart. "Did someone call my number just now?" he asked.
Ivy tensed, and her smile froze. "Clara called earlier. I answered it because it was ringing for a long time."
Wren's face stiffened, and he went through the call history. Just as he was about to return Clara's call, Ivy stopped him. "Wren, I think I said something to upset Clara.
"I didn't know you were supposed to meet her today. So, when she asked me where you were, I told her right away. She got mad suddenly and scolded me before hanging up."
Ivy bit her lower lip as if her feelings were hurt. "I'm sorry, Wren. I didn't mean to answer the call. Is there really nothing going on between you and Clara, though?"
Ivy's question snapped Wren back to his senses. The troubled expression on his face instantly dissipated, and he put his phone away.
"Don't worry. To me, she's just a younger sister. Keeping you company is more important. My meeting with her is nothing," he comforted.
"Take care of yourself. It's going to be cold tonight," he added, thoughtfully draping the shawl that was left at the cinema earlier around Ivy. Alas, no one noticed the hint of iciness that flashed past his eyes.
Wren's thoughtful actions dispelled Ivy's suspicions. However, Clara's existence will always remain a threat to her. The woman Wren once regarded with utmost importance intimidated her.
Ivy feared Clara would gain Wren's attention again. As long as Clara was connected to the Zachmans, she would never be at ease.
She was thankful that her phone ran out of juice, forcing her to use Wren's. She dared not imagine what kind of changes the phone call and message would bring. After all, Ivy was getting married to Wren soon. She hoped everything would go smoothly. Although Wren did not believe Ivy's words, he was relieved to know that Clara had called him.
He guessed it would take some time for Clara to stop being mad at him for standing her up. However, he was not worried about it. He was sure she would understand him if he consoled her once everything was over.
Regardless, Wren put up with it and had dinner with Ivy so she would not see through him.
It was already 9:00 pm by the time they got home. When they entered the villa, Wren thought it was awfully quiet. It was as if there was no one in the house except for the housekeepers.
Once Ivy had gone upstairs, Wren called out to a housekeeper, "Did Ms. Salford come home?"
The housekeeper shook her head. "No."
Wren's heart sank. He was sure Clara would never lie to him. It did not make sense that she still had not come home because she was discharged in the morning.
An uneasy feeling crept into Wren's heart again. Before he could ask about Katrina, he heard someone opening the door.
From the corner of his eyes, Wren saw Carlisle and Shirley entering the villa hand in hand. The duo was all smiles. Disgust flashed across Wren's eyes. He swallowed his question and turned around to go upstairs.
Displeased, Carlisle called out to Wren, "Stop right there. Some manners you have, not greeting us after you saw us."