Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara pushed herself up, her eyes lingering on the face in front of her-so striking it almost didn't seem real.

Dylan looked tense, lips pressed in a thin line, every muscle tight. He was nervous, she could tell.

Suddenly, Clara caved. "I'll set up a little bed next to the master bedroom. For the next month, I'll sleep there. Dylan, just... give me a bit more time. I can't right now..." Her voice trailed off.

It was just too soon. Her boyfriend hadn't been gone long, and climbing into another man's bed-no matter what had happened between them recently-felt like a betrayal. In the harsh light of day, guilt crept up and made her heart heavy.

Dylan's eyelashes fluttered, his eyes darting up to her, wide with disbelief. Shock, hope, and something softer flickered across his face. Finally, he looked away and gave a deep, quiet, "Okay."

Clara had always been the type to take action. Within minutes, she had someone bring in a new bed-five feet wide-right next to his.

Dylan's room was big enough that it didn't even feel crowded with the extra bed. He sat there, watching her organize the room, directing the staff as if she owned the place. She even had them set up a desk in the corner.

Was she planning to work here too?noveldrama

Something warm and restless fluttered in Dylan's chest. He couldn't look away.

Clara felt his gaze but didn't meet his eyes. "You should get some sleep," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

Dylan lay back slowly, his heart thudding so hard he could barely breathe. He was nervous, sure, but underneath it all, he was happy in a way he couldn't explain.

About half an hour later, there was a soft knock at the door. Aiden stood outside, cheeks still flushed with excitement. "Ma'am, here's everything you asked for. Ferguson Corporation has five projects going right now. The biggest one is with Warren Corporation. Richard won't give us any trouble, just a few details to iron out. These are the files on the overseas execs-I marked up everyone's personalities. Take a look when you have time."

Clara nodded, stepping into the hallway and closing the door quietly behind her. "Can you tell me why he can't sleep?"

Some of the excitement faded from Aiden's face. "Just think of it as the boss being... unwell."

Clara knew he was holding back, but she didn't push. "What about his leg?"

Aiden hesitated. “When he was overseas, he kind of gave up for while. Stopped doing his physical therapy. The doctors had to use some pretty heavy meds-most people would've lost it from the pain, but he never complained. For two years, he hardly spoke. If he was awake, he worked. His insomnia just got worse and worse."

Clara felt her chest tighten. "Was that car accident really... my fault?"

Aiden glanced at her. "I don't know the details, but it was definitely related to you. The boss isn't the type to let anything break

him-unless it's something about you. Only you could make him

swallow all that pain and never say a

word."

His words hit Clara like a punch to the gut, leaving her pale and shaken.

Aiden

here, I'm sure he'll finally

get

Som Say anything else. "With I rest. I'm counting on net

ma'am."

Clara just nodded and quietly pushed open the bedroom door.

Inside, Dylan looked like he'd finally drifted off. She remembered he hated sleeping with the lights off, so she left a lamp on.

She set the files down on the new desk, sat, and started reading in silence.

But Aiden's words wouldn't leave her alone a dull ache throbbed in her chest.

How could she have ever thought Dylan didn't love her? How had he managed to hold himself together all this time?

She didn't dare follow those thoughts any further. For now, the only thing she could do was help shoulder some of his burden.