Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 424

Snow fell heavily outside, blanketing everything in a layer of white and merging with the endless gray sky in the distance. Dylan's fingers were intertwined with Clara's, and his palms radiated a warmth like a quietly bubbling volcano.

Clara didn't want to be too strict with Dylan, especially since he was sick. She figured she'd let him have his way for now. Time seemed to drag on, and his fever was only getting worse instead of better. Finally, she couldn't sit still any longer and decided to give him more water.

Dylan slowly opened his eyes, which were hazy, like he was lost and had no clue what was going on. "Mr. Dylan, Aiden's gone off somewhere. Let me drive you home. Even if we don't have medicine there, at least you'll be more comfortable lying down."

Instead of agreeing, Dylan loosened his tie, as if he were overheating from the inside. Clara quickly reached over to cover his collarbone and retied the tie. Normally, Dylan was all about neatness, always buttoning his shirt all the way up.

As she adjusted his tie, she thought about driving back right away, not waiting for Aiden. But then Dylan's hot hand suddenly rested on hers. "We're not going back,” he said, his voice raw and almost breaking. "There are cherry blossoms nearby. Did you know?"

Clara couldn't remember where they were, convinced he was talking nonsense because of the fever. "Okay, cherry blossoms. If you want to see them, I'll go pick some for you." She was just trying to humor him, but his eyes lit up unexpectedly. "Yes."

this freezing weather, he really thought

them." Clara looked at his profile. His hair was damp, and even the corners of his eyes were moist, his cheeks flushed-a vulnerability she'd

minutes, I'm coming back. You're feverish, and it's dangerous to be alone in the car. I can't leave you like this." His lips

as Clara stepped into it, she could hear it crunching beneath her boots. She started toward the distant forest but couldn't shake her worry for Dylan, so she looped back

wind. Clara had initially planned to fake a search and bring back

presence made her want to do anything for him. Clara never thought she'd feel a hint of sympathy for him. She quickly looked away, advising, "Roll up the window and

was just feverish rambling, but after several minutes of walking, she actually found a cluster of cherry blossoms at

a vibrant red, striking against the snowy backdrop. Clara was surprised. How could there be cherry blossoms here? She hurried over to pick them, but as her hand touched the flowers,

cave, two children huddled together for warmth. Her fingers trembled, and she looked around, instinctively heading in one direction. After about twenty meters, she found a pit, and