Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 512

Sarah was cremated and buried that same night. Ryan even put the old dog tooth in her grave, hoping it might ease some of the guilt gnawing at him.

Clara stopped by, set a bouquet on the gravestone-a simple marker with only a photo-and turned to leave.

Ryan sat nearby, smoking. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Clara, there's something I want to say to you."

He'd felt brave for a moment after Cole's call, but here, standing at Sarah's grave with Clara watching, all that courage evaporated.

He was exactly the kind of guy Clara hated and looked down on. If he mentioned his suspicions about Megan, would Clara just think he was being petty? She barely trusted him as it was. Whatever little trust was left might disappear for good.

He dropped his gaze and took a slow, deep drag on his cigarette.

"You're not really a Bradford," he said quietly. "When I visited the old alternative medicine doctor, I found the real gravestone for Clara Bradford. The year your dad took you to the country, the Clara who came back wasn't the same. I don't know what happened in between-Dad's gone, and when I tried to ask Mom, she didn't know anything. I kept it from her. I just wanted to help you get your memories back, let you know who you really are."

Clara kept walking. All she said was a simple, "Mm.”

Seeing her so distant, Ryan felt his heart clench.

Yeah, she really does hate me.

He didn't mention Megan. He was afraid that if he did, that would be the last straw.

After Clara left, Ryan just sat there, staring at Sarah's grave in silence.

Cigarette butts were scattered at his feet. He was only twenty, but he felt ancient, like life had already wrung all the color and excitement out of him.

her car and drove off

long time that she wasn't really a Bradford. Naomi's attitude toward her was always so harsh, and Johnny's feelings were confusing-he cared, but it was complicated,

was real, but it was mixed with

it finally made sense. She really wasn't a Bradford. But

Group and

know I'm not actually a

matter. You've already turned this company around once. Everyone supports

always be hers, as

for a few seconds, her voice serious. "My father never told you

had planned all this, surely

his head. "No. Mr. Bradford always treated you like his own daughter. You

perfectly inoffensive-there was nothing to argue

whether she should make another trip to the countryside to find that old doctor. But tonight, she had things to deal with in the rough part

*

night, she went to

a jolt of panic, but managed to keep her expression steady. "Clara, what

into the living room. "I needed somewhere quiet to

forced a smile, went to the kitchen, and returned with

"So, what's going on?"

see in

quiet-anyone who could afford it had already moved out, choosing to share apartments

but ask, "Didn't you used to rent near Moonlight Park? Why

Megan looked uncomfortable,