Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Dylan didn't acknowledge him, his attention locked on Clara's face.

Charles felt like as long as he got his big brother's approval, everything else would fall into place. So, he slipped out of the room, headed down the hallway, and called Griffin.

"Hey, big bro, I want to stay in Palm Bay for a while. I'm not planning to come over to your place anytime soon."

Griffin was still at the banquet. Even though he'd already decided to team up with the Fergusons and the Warrens, other families kept trying to win him over, so he still had to play the social game. And Norman hadn't even shown up yet- completely unreliable.

Now Charles was calling with this, and Griffin had to take a deep breath. One after another, they all managed to keep him on edge.

"Big bro, Dylan's already said yes. Honestly, the guy's so into my sister it's almost funny. As long as she lets me stick around as her brother, I could probably turn Palm Bay upside down and Dylan wouldn't care."

Griffin paused. His little brother might be a bit clueless, but he always knew when someone meant well or not. Maybe it was just his innocence he could always sense what was real.

If he was saying this, then Dylan must have dropped all his guard around him.

Maybe it was time to seriously rethink that whole engagement with the North American Fergusons.

"Mitch."

"Huh? Something else, big bro? I'm kind of sleepy."

"Be good to your sister. I might need her help one day."

That line made Charles uncomfortable for a second, but the feeling disappeared almost instantly.

"Alright."

He hung up, planning to head back to the master bedroom, but barely made it to the door before a man in black blocked his path.

Charles stepped back, eyeing the guy up and down.

This guy was bizarre-not a patch of skin showing, not even his fingers.

Charles reached out, aiming to tug off the man's mask, but the guy dodged and brushed his hand away, quick and smooth.

Charles's eyes lit up. "You know, you're all pretty interesting. You're not scared of me, and you still play along. All nice people-though, honestly, nobody beats my sister."

The man in black: "..."

Who was playing with him?

Inside the master bedroom.

Dylan sat at the edge of the bed, unmoving, eyes never leaving Clara. He didn't know when she might wake up.

The doctor had left a while ago, pausing at the door just to say, "Sir, you need to take care of yourself, too. Those people are watching your leg now-I don't think you'll be able to hide it much longer."

"Mm."

Dylan barely seemed to register it.

Now it was just him and Clara. A few hours ago, he'd been sure he'd never see her again in this life.

Clara was always like this-just

when he was ready to give up, she'd give him hope. And just when he let himself hope, she'd cut him down again. Śwnovel

Hope and heartbreak, over and over. Somehow, he was still here.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then got up to shower.

When he came back, he stood at her bedside, just watching.

She still had her eyes closed, lashes trembling—she didn't look like she was sleeping well.

Dylan gently lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom.

The tub was already full, warm steam drifting in the air and fogging up the mirrors.

As soon as she touched the water,noveldrama

she

ét

wly opened her eyes, turning

to glance at him, eyes

at him, eyes half-shut like

she was lost in thought.

Dylan froze up, his whole body tense.

But a second later, she just relaxed against him again, drifting right back to sleep

in his arms.

His muscles finally loosened, but even in those few seconds, a cold sweat had broken out down his back.

He couldn't help but hold her even tighter, like he was afraid this might be the last time he ever got to.