Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 554

"Ma'am, we made chicken soup tonight. If you'd like something different, just let us know a day ahead," the housekeeper murmured softly beside Clara.

Everyone in this house treated Clara with genuine warmth-so long as she didn't ask to borrow their phones, life stayed peaceful and easy.

Clara cradled her mug of ginger tea, taking a forced sip. Just then, she heard footsteps in the hallway.

Dylan must be back.

She'd thought he'd be working late, especially since he'd skipped out on the office for days. But here he was, home earlier than she'd expected.

Clara kept her eyes down, refusing to even glance at the entryway.

She'd been living at Palm Bay for quite some time now, and not once had Dylan come looking for her. Marrying her seemed more like placing a vase in the living room—a decoration, nothing more.

She didn't get him at all. Was he really willing to go against Walter's orders just to keep a stand-in around?

As soon as Dylan walked in, the staff started setting the table, laying out a proper feast. The housekeeper called out, "Ma'am, dinner's ready."

But Clara, still shaken from her dream about Z, felt no hunger at all. She put down her teacup and headed straight upstairs.

watched her go, his face unreadable. All he said

to make dinner tonight? Why were

even if the couple sat at the same table, they never spoke. Or rather, Clara never answered Dylan's questions, never even looked his way. Silence had become their

were like strangers who'd known each

to eat a little," the

away toward the

quietly cleared away all the food they'd worked on

a drawer, and took out a ring. He turned it slowly between his fingers, a small

after a closer look, he

piece of jewelry he could wear

he traced the band with his thumb,

came in, pausing when he saw the softness in Dylan's expression. He sighed to

much

out of respect for

arrogance and sharp edges, Richard doted on his cousin Tara. Tara had liked

all the socialites, Tara

Built

again. She'd an impressive career-she'd even helped design that famous library