Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

Ivy stood frozen, her carefully constructed composure cracking as Martha's words continued to slice through the air.

"Just what kind of misunderstanding do you have about me, Grandma? Why would you humiliate me and my mother the very first time we met?" Ivy's voice trembled, her tone equal parts dignified and wounded. "I know we don't come from a wealthy family like the Zachmans, but we still have our dignity. If I've done something to offend you, I'd rather you say it outright than insult us like this."

Her performance was flawless. The glistening eyes, the shaky but composed stance-anyone who didn't know her supposed vulnerability would have moved her.

Unfortunately for Ivy, Martha wasn't so easily fooled. Decades ago, she had seen Shirley's true colors. There was no way Ivy's theatrics would win her over now.

"A sharp tongue doesn't make up for filthy intentions," Martha retorted, her icy glare practically dissecting Ivy. "If you think you can manipulate my grandson into marrying best, you're more debesional them thought."

volded Martha's gaze entively, her guilt all too obvious.

Carlisle, however, couldn't hold his tongue any longer. Seeing by on the verge of tears stirred his protective instincts. He stepped forward, placing himself "That's enough, a

und, his voice tim but pleading "This is ridiculous. It's been over two decades. Are you still holding on to o

sold grudges? t kept my demanded

I've everted to

to do since then is protect them. That's why I introduced Wren to [vy. T They're good together, and

Do you have any idea what kind of damage you're doing to the family name by creating this spectacle? People will talk, and Iprivate matters out into the open."

tha's sharp part pinned him in places that so? Are you telling me this woman and her daughter mean more to you!

than your own mother? Very well. It seems

Copened to respond but her next words froze him.

this perfectly clear," she said, her voice cutting though the room with the weight of finality. "As long as I'm alive, these two will never set foot in sly. It wou think you can force this manage through, Culisle, you'll have to do it over nw dead body," Martha turned toward the audience, her expression regal and commanding

anption." she announced, her tone steady and unapologetic. "The engagement is officially canceled. My grandson will not be marrying this

duves not recognize bet"

mb, decorating Ivy's dreams of a perfect future

ully curated image shattered. The room, full of influential families and high-profile connections, suddenly felt suffocating. These were the o hard to impterus and integrate herselt. Now, she could feel their polite but judgmental states piercing her.

and to openly entice the Zachman family, whispers would spread. Ivy's name would become synonymous with humiliation and rejection tom clawed Der way back-unless she secured a real manage to Wien-she would forever carry the stigma of this moment. whvory plate swept across Shirley and Ivy one last time before she tumed to leave.

with barely concealed fury, swallowed his pride. There was no arguing with his mother-not he

muttrard a quick excuse to the guests and descended the stage, forcing himself to play the role of host there, not now. attained intrapers, the ir dick with tension. But none dated openly challenge Martha's auth

as the matriarch of the Zachmans. To

nked urinth prio

In glasses clindung in celebration, the expressions onstage were anything but festive. Aside from Katrina and Martha, the

mai already settled, and was

was no arguing with Matt, Swallowing his anger, he forced himself to go down and mingle with the

weight of Martha's presence kitfocating the

O Instead, ber sharp eyes landed on Katrina. "You, come with me," she ordered.

ascended the stairs to a private lounge. Once inside, Martha waved off the attendant, leaving just

Martha's voice was stem, her piercing gare found on Katrina.

she looked down. "You already know the answer, Mom. I've had no say in anything since Shirley and her daughter

dişicatum endent. "So, is this mi fau now? Are you blaming me for not reining in my own son?

ca moment, ber gaze scrutinizing Katrina with a mix of frustration and pity she despised Shirley, but she also couldn't ignore chad ecoded Katrina's position in the household

tide brought that woman back," Martha finally said, her voice heavy. "I tolerated it because I didn't want to make the rift ut the moment they dragged their schemes toward Wren, I had to put my foot down." ned quiet, her head slightly lowered.

head "thought you were smarter than this. You're the Zachman family's legally wedded wife, not some disposable outsider. No one bow hard they in

look at you now. You let that women and her daughter walk all over you. You gave them power they shouldn't have.

med on the fact that you've falled to give Carlisle a child all these years. If you had, maybe he wouldn't be so bold about his

hard, but Katrina barely flinched. Her hands tightened slightly at her sides, but she didn't look up or defend herself.

ing noi tration, Mart scoffed and moved on "Where's Wren? Why wam't be here tonight?"

at do you mean you don't know?" Martha's brows furrowed in frustration

Tathra beutated, visibly comfortable. She opened her mouth as it to speak but stopped, clearly debating whether to reveal something

stalling and spit it out," Mamba snapped.

use, Katrina finally said, "When left the house a few days ago. He hasn't been in touch since. He won't answer any calls, and we don't know where he

What you mean to tell me my grandson has been missing, and no one thought to tell me?" Martha's voice rose, her anger palpable. "Why hasn't anyone gone to find him yet? If something luppen to him, I swear I won't let any of you off the hook!" Kurrina quirky tried to calm her "Please don't worry, Mom I'm sure Wren is fine. He's not the kind of person to put himself in hann's way"

However, the matriarch's fury only deepened as she scrutinized Katrina's hesitant demeanor. A suspicion flickered in her sharp eyes

"West a minute," Martha said slowly, her tone growing cold "Where's Clara? Why hasn't she shown up? That girl wouldn't just disappear. Where is she?"