Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 588

Her palm rested softly against his cheek. He seemed calmer now, his eyes clearer, the storm in them finally settling.

Clara wasn't watching him, so she missed the way his gaze turned hotter and more intense with every passing second. He caught her hand, a hint of a smile curving his lips, and then closed his eyes.

Inside, Clara's mind was chaos-a tug of war between logic and something she couldn't name.

About an hour later, she caught a glimpse of Aiden passing by and called out before she could think twice. "Aiden."

He stopped, water glass in hand, and nodded respectfully.

"Did something happen while we were out?" Clara asked.

Aiden glanced at Dylan, searching his face, but found nothing out of the ordinary. "Mrs. Ferguson's back. She wants the CEO to marry Tara from the Warren family. And... Ada passed away. The Fergusons are having the funeral."

Ada's gone?

Clara blinked. She didn't remember hearing anything about Ada being sick.

She frowned, trying to make sense of it. It had only been a couple weeks, but outside, everything seemed to have changed. Here she was, stuck in this place, completely cut off from the world and its shifting tides.

Worry for Z crept back in. If even Mrs. Ferguson was getting involved in Dylan's marriage, didn't that make Clara public enemy number one in the Ferguson family's eyes?

Her heart picked up speed. She forced herself to take a steady breath. "Does Dylan usually do what Mrs. Ferguson tells him?"

off to Tara, maybe Clara would finally be free. That thought brought

of his water.

does he listen

all these people around, how was there not one person who could talk some sense into Dylan? He could've had someone perfect and instead, he'd chosen to tie himself to her. Wasn't

said, not

stunned. She pointed at herself. "Me?

Aiden nodded. "Yeah."

leaving Clara almost wanting to laugh out loud. If Dylan actually listened to her, he would've already taken her

thinking about Z made her feel a little uncomfortable around the man lying next to her. Z was

together as he slept, lines deepening on his forehead. He looked like he was trapped

black swamps-of poisonous bugs, crawling steadily up from his feet. The people above told him it was to make him braver,

was kid, he'd been told his life carried

actually was. The only

finally

the one left behind.

run into that boy who looked just like him-gentle, bright,

be forced to grow up in darkness, nameless and hidden?

wasn't lucky at all.

completely and utterly abandoned.

the moment he was