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?"

you learn to

lightly, like

like the

serious about this-he was so serious it was

even paler. For once, she didn't even know how to

villa was alive with the sounds of staff preparing for dinner. When she passed, they all greeted her with a respectful, "Good evening, Mrs.

The whole thing felt

watching as a maid brought her a cup of

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

Dylan stepped into the

the strength to try talking to him. What was the

wrapped around the cup, frozen in

Dylan pulled out the marriage certificates again and stared at them for

Only when there

the door did he finally tuck them

compartment.

Aiden came in.

said a word on the way to the registry office, playing the part of

meeting tonight is all set. Are you heading out now, sir? Or will you be staying for dinner with Ms.

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

clenched at

how long she sat there before she saw Dylan and

to borrow a phone from one of the maids, but everyone shook their heads

away, silent as