Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

She knew exactly how she'd let herself fall for Z before, and now it felt like she was slipping down that same path all over again.

Clara squeezed her eyes shut and burrowed deeper into the covers, refusing to face the world.

She froze when she felt the mattress dip beside her.

The main light clicked off, leaving just the warm glow from the two bedside lamps.

He seemed to be in a strangely good mood as he scooped her out from under the blanket and hugged her close, like she was something precious he couldn't let go. Clara kept her eyes closed, hoping she could ignore the uneasy feeling twisting inside her.

She tried to sound steady as she asked, "Was that explosion outside the city your doing?"

He just pulled her in tighter.

Clara pressed her lips together. She knew how he felt, but if he'd had anything to do with Z's death, then...

Her thoughts started to spiral, but then he spoke softly. "No."

She finally let herself breathe. Her whole body felt so heavy—just moving was exhausting. She gave up trying to resist and just let herself rest.

The next morning, she woke up with the feeling someone was watching her.

She opened her eyes and saw a stranger sitting there, staring right at her. Charles had been waiting for her to wake up for over an hour. The moment she opened her eyes, his whole face lit up. "Sis!"

Clara was about to respond when she heard footsteps at the door.

Dylan walked in, sat by her bed, and tried to feed her some soup again.

She really didn't have the strength to argue, so she opened her mouth and let him help. She was just about to ask who this other man was when Dylan leaned in, his voice low. "You were buried alive. He's the one who pulled you out. Says you look like his sister he thinks you can help him."

As he spoke, his lips brushed her ear, making her squirm a little.

Did he really have to get that close?

Charles, completely unaware of their whispered exchange, rushed over and sat down at the edge of the bed.

"You're finally awake! I haven't slept in days worrying about you. And that weird guy kept blocking me from coming in. If it wasn't for you, I'd have decked him already."

He edged even closer, and when he spotted the bowl in Dylan's hands, he reached out, trying to take over feeding Clara himself.

But Dylan quickly pulled the bowl away and said, "Go do your sister a favor."

No sense wasting a willing helper, after all.

Charles narrowed his eyes. When this guy was silent, he really did seem intimidating.

Then his expression softened and he blinked at Dylan. "What do you need?"

"Find out who buried her alive. Can you do that?"

Might as well send him off, Clara thought. He'd just keep hovering here otherwise.

Clara didn't say anything, just glanced at the phone on the nightstand, stunned. How long had she been out? How had so many days vanished just like that?

Charles scratched his head. "Sis, do you remember the rehab center? That guy said he was connected to the Warren family in the Capital. And there was a Mr. Schwaderer, right?"

He might not get everything, but he never forgot the important stuff.

Dylan's fingers paused, and something cold flashed in his eyes.

Charles wanted to say more to Clara, but she suddenly buried her face in Dylan's chest.noveldrama

It wasn't on purpose—she just felt a little safer with him. She took a shaky breath.

"My head hurts. I'm still so weak. I just want to rest a little longer."

While Charles was talking, flashes of memory kept storming through her mind. It was almost too much.

The pain was so sharp, she broke into a sweat in less than a minute.

Dylan held her close, and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Rest," he whispered.

.n

Charles couldn't help himself, leaning in closer. "How are you still not better? When can we finally go out together? I can't stay in the. Capital much longer-my big b called me this morning. Sis, you've got to get better soon!"

Clara, resting on Dylan's shoulder, looked up at Charles.

"Brother, I'll hang out with you tonight, okay?"

It felt like something crashed right into Charles's chest, making him feel weightless.

"Okay, okay, no rush. You just rest

up. Whenever you want to hang out, I'm here. I'll look into Mr. Schwaderer

for you, I promise. He won't get away with it."

Clara managed a faint, tired smile. "Mm."

Dylan gently eased her back onto the bed, then leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth.

Clara hurt too much to care, her eyes already closing.

As Dylan picked up the bowl and headed for the door, he shot Charles a cold look. "Out."

Charles snorted under his breath. This guy's mood swings were unreal.