Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 153

Meanwhile, Clara and Scarlette made their way back to their apartment. Scarlette, feeling quite satisfied with how the evening had turned out, casually tossed her hair back and extended a friendly hand to Clara. "I dig your vibe. How about we hit the shops together sometime?"

Since waking up, Clara hadn't really connected with anyone other than Megan, so she eagerly accepted the offer. "Sounds great."

Scarlette waved her off with a cheerful, "I'll head home now."

They both retreated to their own spaces. Clara, completely wiped out, took a quick shower and flopped into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

The next day at work, Clara was deep in her tasks when someone mentioned she had visitors waiting downstairs. She was curious and headed down to find Naomi and Ryan there.

Ryan looked a bit uneasy, leaning against a column with his arms crossed, refusing to meet Clara's eyes. Naomi, on the other hand, wasted no time and launched into an accusatory rant. "Why'd you block everyone's numbers and not come home last night? We've been searching everywhere for you. Quinn got kidnapped yesterday, and now she's so scared. That recording is all anyone can talk about. Clara, just admit you faked it."

Clara calmly sat down on a lobby sofa, taking in Naomi's words. "Is that why you're here?"

Naomi plopped down across from her, her tone unwavering. "That is the most pressing issue right now."

you must suspect that the voice on the recording is actually Quinn's, right? There was no faking it. She was trying to set me up and got caught. You don't want her facing public backlash, so you've come to

she replied, "You've been under fire

half-finished iced tea from the coffee table and

wet, looked up in

before, don't speak to me condescendingly. I have no obligation to cover for anyone, especially not Quinn. If you don't want her to suffer, put it

quivering.

submissive daughter she remembered. Clara tucked her hair behind her ear. "Don't bother me with this again.

"Mom, is the recording really not fake?

Clara's indifferent retreat. She took a few steps to follow but stopped, muttering to

right? Did you know the recording was real? Why did you come to

he could continue, Naomi slapped him hard across

and held his cheek. No one, other than Clara, had

She felt a deep pang in her chest. She sat down, holding her head. "Do you think I wanted this? Ryan, you don't know what kind of life Quinn had with her adoptive parents. Everything she endured was because of Clara. How can I

tea still lingering. "Quinn's adoptive family was terrible. She was abused, worked from the age of twelve to support them, and had to care for a mentally