Back then, she had been shy and withdrawn and often hid in the attic. However, Ian had sought her out every day to play. He also brought her a variety of toys and gifts, trying to make her smile.
He had once promised her with unwavering confidence, "I'll stay with you during the day and my toys will keep you company. Clara, you’ll never be alone again. I’ll always be by your side."
He did keep his word. From the time she was four years old until now, Ian has been a constant presence in her life. He would drive her to and from school, without fail and give her after-school tutoring.
When Clara was in middle school, she was nearly assaulted by a few playboys at the banquet she attended. Ian was in a rage that he had gone berserk. If Mrs. Cumberland, his mother, had not tried with all her might to stop him, Ian would kill one of them at that time.
Since then, everyone knew Clara was an important person in Ian's heart and could not be touched.
To Clara, Ian is like a god who has descended from the heavens to save her.
She was completely in love. She had confessed countless times. She crafted rings from soda can tabs, woven grass and strings, each a symbol of her devotion. Each time, he had rejected her without hesitation.
This year, on his birthday, she tried one last time. However, this time, he exploded in fury. For the first time, he truly lashed out at her and tore her love letter right in front of her.
From that moment on, he deliberately distanced himself by staying out late to avoid her. Before long, he brought home a girl named Rea Jefferson, his so-called true love.
The night Clara died in the car accident, she had desperately called Ian over and over again, but each was hung up harshly.
When one was finally picked up, the voice on the other end wasn’t his voice but Rea. "Clara, Ian is in the shower right now. He’s busy. He doesn’t have time to talk to you."
Then, without waiting for a response, Rea hung up.
Pain ripped through Clara’s chest, suffocating her. Her vision blurred as agony engulfed her entire being and then, she took her final breath.
When Clara died, the system came and spoke to her. So, she seized the opportunity to strike a deal with it and exchanged her soul for a chance to bid farewell to Ian. It gave her a time limit of seven days.