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."

someone else and make me

beaded on Clara's forehead. She tried to speak, to explain, but her mouth wouldn't move, like it had been sewn shut. Not a sound came

rip them apart- maybe that would make things

up, slow and deliberate,

after him. "Z,

catch up,

me. I just want to disappear-leave this

want you to

for breath,

was so like Z-intense, fragile, all-consuming when it came to

still pitch black. There was no way she'd get back

streetlights glowed softly in the

clothes and slipped downstairs. Halfway

she nearly bumped straight

He was awake too?

dark circles. When he

froze, said nothing, and pretended she was just heading for a

the foyer anymore. Once she was sure he'd left, she made her way quietly to the front

She broke into a run, heart pounding with

didn't go near

the guards would never