Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 5

Clara felt a wave of frustration wash over her, but seeing how exhausted Megan was, she decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

Megan tossed a fresh pair of pajamas on the bed. "Your room's got its own bathroom. Go take a shower and get some rest. I'm wiped out today, so let's skip the chit-chat."

Clara nodded, murmuring a quiet, "Thanks."

As Megan headed towards one of the bedroom doors, Clara realized the other room was hers. After grabbing her pajamas and enjoying a much-needed shower, she finally felt a bit more at ease.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from her brother, Ryan.

Ryan: [Hey, I'm back home for the holidays. It's Quinn's birthday today. Why aren't you here? Mom said you ran off again. Seriously, can you just come back? The housekeeper's cooking is awful. I miss your food. Don't forget to make your potato salad for breakfast tomorrow.]

[Quinn was crying tonight. Just come back and apologize. You stir up drama everytime. It's exhausting. Simon doesn't even like you, and sometimes

heart ached, feeling like the whole world was team Quinn, while she was just the odd one out. Even

raw.

morning, Clara was up early with dark circles under her eyes. She headed to the kitchen to whip up something to eat and was surprised to find her cooking skills hadn't abandoned

he ever tasted your cooking? You spent your time

hand, about to say it wasn't for Simon. But it seemed no one would

Megan's resume was lying there, and Clara glanced at it. "Megan, I want to find a job. What

the dishes, frowning in thought.

pushed the bowl of soup towards

a chance to intern there after graduation, but you blew it

"I'll work at Ferguson Corporation. Dylan's back, isn't he?

"Didn't you used to hate Dylan? Simon didn't like Dylan, so you avoided him too. Every time his name came up, you looked upset. Do you even know what league Dylan is in? He graduated