Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

Even though Shirley was both exhausted and sleepy, she didn't go back to her room to sleep. She needed to see Carlisle come back in order to feel at ease.

"I called you so many times tonight, and you didn't pick up..." Shirley said with a pout.

Her eyes were red from exhaustion, making her look even more pitiful.

She grabbed Carlisle's arm, feeling both wronged and guilty. "Are you still mad at me for going to the company today without telling you? Did I make Katrina misunderstand us?

"If Katrina refuses to come home because of this, I'll personally apologize and explain to her. I'll bring her back, I promise. Just don't treat me coldly like you did today, and don't ignore my calls."

As she spoke, Shirley's eyes welled up with tears. "Carlisle, you're all I have now. If you're angry with me and refuse to talk to me, I honestly don't know what I'll do."

She leaned in and rested her head on his chest, looking completely vulnerable and dependent on him.

As Carlisle looked down at her, his gaze landed on her red-rimmed eyes. He paused for a moment, but his face showed no emotion.

When she leaned into his arms, his body stiffened for an instant, but he didn't push her away.

He stood there quietly, staring at Shirley, the woman he had pampered for so many years. Yet, for some reason, an overwhelming sense of irritation began to rise within him.

Too much had happened recently, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. It felt like ever since he announced Wren and Ivy's marriage, nothing at home had gone smoothly. Even Katrina, who had always been so sensible, was now thinking about leaving him.

After Shirley finished speaking, she waited for Carlisle to comfort her.

In the past, Carlisle would always fall for her act. He couldn't stand to see her upset. As long as she cried, took the blame, and said a few soft words, he would always be on her side.

But this time, she waited for quite a while and didn't hear a single word from Carlisle.

A sense of unease suddenly crept into Shirley's heart. She cautiously lifted her head from his chest and looked at Carlisle with uncertainty. As soon as she did, their eyes met.

She stiffened for a moment before quickly adjusting her expression. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed something off.noveldrama

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Shirley frowned and carefully examined Carlisle's face. Since he had been standing with the light behind him earlier, she hadn't noticed the slap marks on his face. But now, as she got closer, she saw that half of his face was swollen, and the red marks were clearly from being slapped.

Shock ran through Shirley. Who would dare slap Carlisle in the face?

Then, in a flash, one face appeared in her mind.

It could only be Katrina. No one else in Phoypolis would have the audacity to lay a hand on Carlisle like that.

Shirley's expression immediately darkened. Anger and frustration surged within her, but she quickly reacted, covering her mouth in shock. "Carlisle, did Katrina do this to you?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at him with a heartbroken expression. She shakily reached out to touch his face, but her tone

carried a hint of reproach. "Hoval no

could Katrina do this? Even if she's upset, she shouldn't take it out on you!

"She hit you so hard! Your face is swollen! How are you going to face anyone tomorrow?"

Being slapped by a woman wasn't something to be proud of, and Shirley's words only made Carlisle feel more irritated and impatient. He pushed her hand away.

"Let's pretend this never happened Don't bring it up again," Carlisle said indifferently. "She's been in a bad od lately. If there's anything, just her some space and don't upset her."

As he waved his hand, Shirley suddenly noticed the bandages wrapped around his hand. Before she could react, she finally realized Carlisle's words, and her expression froze in shock.