Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara was kneeling on the cold marble floor of the hall, sitting perfectly still, her eyes glued to the TV. She didn't even blink as the news scrolled by.

It was almost morning, but Dylan still wasn't back. What if Walter had punished him? The thought made her chest tighten with worry. Every so often, she'd glance at the door, rubbing her knees to try and get some feeling back.

The news had been running non-stop all night. The reporters just kept rehashing Henry's scandal and stirring up more gossip about the Ferguson family. Everyone was talking about them now-Walter especially, since he'd once stepped down from that same spotlight. There was no way they could avoid attention this time.

Clara let out a long sigh, just as she heard a car engine outside. She craned her neck, heart pounding. Headlights flashed across the window, then footsteps echoed at the door.

Aiden walked in.

She met his eyes, then quickly looked past him, searching for Dylan. He wasn't there.

"Aiden, where's Mr. Dylan?"

Aiden gave a sharp, humorless laugh and hung his coat on the rack. "Thanks to you, Clara, the boss has to get married within two weeks. Walter's orders."

Clara's mind spun. "Wait, what does Eden have to do with Mr. Dylan getting married? Is Walter making him marry Eden?"

Aiden's face darkened as he strode closer. "Clara, do you even listen to yourself? You saw the news, didn't you? The boss leaked Eden's background info to protect you. Now the whole Ferguson family is in the crosshairs. Walter thinks he's got feelings for you, so he's forcing him to get married—just to kill any chance between you."

He rattled it all off, and Clara barely caught half of it.

Who liked who?

Dylan... liked her?

She almost laughed at the idea, but the look on Aiden's face made her pause. She rubbed her aching knees, suddenly unsure.

"So... you mean Mr. Dylan likes me?"

his leg, and he never blamed

it all up, something

spent any

Dylan exposed Eden's secret just

stopped, realization hitting

sure. Walter wanted him married off. But his first

get ready, Clara. Take your ID, go register the marriage with the boss

a boyfriend," she said seriously, lifting her eyes to his. "I really

He just turned

little longer, watching as

kit. Her heart lurched. Dylan's legs

what happened to Simon after he'd been "disciplined"-his back

"Aiden..." she called softly.

ignored her and brushed

stand, but her knees screamed in protest. She winced her face turning pale from the pain, but she hurried after him. By the time she reached the gate, Aiden

"Aiden!"

making it all the way to the front gate, but the guard stopped her cold. Her phone had been confiscated by Aiden. She couldn't reach

choice, Clara went back inside and rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. There was a stale sandwich and a slice of pie. She figured she'd ask

a phone

someone showed up.

dragged into noon, and

How deep was Dylan in this

for a phone, but he just glanced at her and slid the window

Ate whatever leftovers

in that empty,

changed. Someone had snapped a blurry photo of Dylan being