Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

He turned the two marriage certificates over in his hands, studying them for a long time. In the photo, his own lips were barely curved into a smile, while Clara's mouth drooped unmistakably downward.

But he didn't linger on their expressions. Instead, his eyes kept returning to their names, tracing the letters again and again.

The clerk stood nervously in front of him, dabbing sweat from his forehead with a tissue for what must have been the fifth time.

"Mr. Dylan, are you satisfied?" he asked, voice trembling.

Dylan lowered his gaze, lashes shadowing his eyes. "Yeah," he replied.

The clerk exhaled, relief flooding his face. Good-he's satisfied. Now please, let him leave before my legs give out.

Dylan finally tucked away the two red booklets and looked at Clara. "Let's go. Time to head home."

Clara hadn't moved at all, as if rooted to the spot. Who would've thought she'd end up married so quickly?

Dylan was already at the door, his tone as calm as ever. "Clara. Let's go."

Only then did she snap out of it and quietly follow him outside.

A line of men in black suits stood waiting, bodyguards forming a silent corridor and stepping aside as soon as they appeared.

Clara felt like she was walking through a dream where nothing was real, her legs heavy as stone with every step.

Back in the car, she sat with her head down, silent the whole way. As they neared Palm Bay, she couldn't hold it in any longer. "Mr. Dylan, do you plan to keep me locked up in the villa forever?"

learn

said it so lightly,

like the weight

serious about this-he

paler. For once, she didn't

out of the car and walked numbly into the house. The villa was alive with the sounds of staff preparing for dinner. When she

whole thing felt

as a maid brought her a cup

let us know," the maid said gently. "All the fruit in the

just watched as Dylan stepped into the elevator and disappeared

the strength to try talking to

sat there, hands wrapped around the cup,

pulled out the marriage certificates again and stared at them

there was

the door did he finally tuck them away

compartment.

Aiden came in.

the way to the registry

"Your meeting tonight is all set. Are you heading out now, sir? Or will

glanced at the hidden compartment, his voice as calm as ever. "No. She won't eat if

clenched at

Dylan and Aiden coming down the

one of the maids, but everyone shook their heads

away, silent as a