Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 58

Clara was completely wiped out. Every part of her body ached, and she was burning up with a fever, making it impossible to respond to any messages.

When she finally woke up, it was already the next day, and her fever was still raging. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Fortunately, she had managed to sell all the apples. After a quick freshen-up, she opened her room door, determined to grab a bite.

She walked into the dining room and spotted Dylan sitting at a table loaded with food. Clara was so hungry she felt like her stomach was stuck to her backbone. After asking a nearby staff member, she realized she'd slept through both breakfast and lunch. Now, she'd have to swallow her pride and ask Dylan to share his meal.

"Mr. Dylan," she called out softly.

Just saying his name was enough for Dylan to get the hint as he gently tapped his fingers on the table. "Have a seat."

Clara let out a breath of relief and flashed a grateful smile. "I'll take you up on that, then."

She was truly famished and had no clue how pale and frail she looked. Her lips were nearly colorless, and she'd lost a noticeable amount of weight.

As she savored the last spoonful of soup, a large hand unexpectedly landed on her forehead, freezing her in place. It was Dylan's hand-cool to the touch, almost detached.

"You've got a fever." His hand quickly retreated.

Clara, snapping back to reality, raised her own hand to check. "Yeah, maybe. I took some fever reducers, but they didn't really help. I'll just catch some sleep later."

Her voice was raspy, lacking energy. Dylan's gaze drifted to her neck, where a bruise crept from her back, dark and purple.

"Did you get hurt?"

The first night she arrived in North Ashford, she'd taken a hit from a rake, leaving her back painfully sore for days. When she glanced

once you're done

"Alright."

Clara realized he wasn't as standoffish

the chance to enjoy a bath the night before, so after eating, she took a half-hour rest, grabbed the robe provided, and headed to the hot spring pool recommended by the staff. They'd promised

hundred square feet, enveloped in a thick mist that blurred everything. A subtle fragrance lingered in the

a gem hadn't been turned into a commercial hot spring hotel-surely it would

about ten minutes floating in the hot spring and then leaned

a splash, she turned to see Dylan nearby, eyes

up from the water, only to remember she was completely bare. Flustered, she sunk back down, her

the water was freshly changed

else might show up. And

whole body heated

she hadn't spotted Dylan until they were practically side by side.

A few bottles of fancy wine and some fruit were set out by the poolside-this guy

to her robe, she'd have to pass right by Dylan. Clara didn't dare move and

opened his eyes. Clara shifted