Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 543

Clara thought she'd be up all night, but she fell asleep almost instantly. In her dream, Z was there.

She'd never seen Z's face-not in real life, not even in dreams-so everything was just darkness and shadows. Through a thick, smoky haze, Z's voice cut through, sharp and accusing.

"Why did you leave me?"

The anger in his voice softened, turning raw and vulnerable.

"Don't leave me... please."

A dull ache spread through Clara's chest. She wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but the truth was heavy: she'd somehow gotten married, almost by accident. Whether she wanted it or not, it was done, and nothing could change that.

The dream shifted. Suddenly, she was back in that little villa, standing by the coffee table. A dim lamp glowed nearby, lighting up the two red marriage certificates on the table.

Her heart twisted painfully. She glanced at Z, desperate to see his reaction. All she heard was, "Aren't you going to explain?"

Even though she knew it was just a dream, panic rushed through her. Her heart hammered, and she couldn't get a single word out.

"Clara, you said as long as the red bean bracelet was on your wrist, we'd always be together, right?"

"You told me you loved me. That you weren't just messing with me."

"You made so many promises. I remember every single word. Guess you were lying."

could you marry someone else and make me look like a

beaded on Clara's forehead. She tried to speak, to explain, but her mouth

lunged for the two little red booklets, wanting to rip them apart- maybe that would make things right, or at least make him

up, slow and deliberate, and started to walk away into

him. "Z, where

catch up, the farther away

care about me. I just want to

I want you to remember

gasping for breath, her

Z-intense, fragile,

outside; the sky was still

to the balcony. Outside, a few yellow streetlights glowed softly in the yard. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind-could she

quickly pulled on some clothes and slipped

bumped straight

He was awake too?

When he saw

said nothing, and pretended she was just heading for

sure Aiden wasn't in the foyer anymore. Once she was sure he'd

opened-she couldn't believe her luck. She broke

near the main

knew the guards would