Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 598

Clara kept turning it over in her mind. This can't be, she thought. It just can't.

Did Z already know she was married?

The second the idea hit her, she went cold all over. She struggled to open her eyes, but something heavy pressed her down, like she was still trapped inside that burning furnace.

"Don't be mad, okay? The bracelet's still here," she mumbled, trying to coax him— and herself back to calm. Sleepiness tugged at her, making her words soft and slow.

But when everything was over, Clara felt... off. Unsatisfied.

It was like he hadn't really tried tonight.

She was kind of annoyed about it, honestly. Everything had ended so quickly, she barely even had time to react.

A warm towel slid over her skin. Maybe sensing her mood, the man's voice was calm, almost gentle.

"Your health isn't great."

Oh.

So he was still worried about her, after all.

Clara let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and shot back, "As long as it's not because you can't, that's fine."

The towel paused in his hand. He laughed, low and quiet.

Clara didn't hear him. In her own little fantasy, she imagined she'd managed to make it up to Z. She pictured him soothed, forgiving her, and she drifted off into the best sleep she'd had in ages, a small smile tugging at her lips.

all she could do

felt like she'd been thrown right

as the sun was setting, that Clara finally woke

that well in forever. She stretched out, feeling every muscle

could finish, a hand gently pressed

was perfectly tailored and

for a few seconds, then remembered her shoulder-no

this wasn't her own room.

hadn't woken up actually sharing a blanket with him. She had no idea how she'd

let out a slow breath, feeling a bit

pretty good. I've been hogging your bed the past few days where

mind that the two of them had been sharing this bed for days-maybe

on her cheek for a moment before he looked away, his lashes

Why did he always look so

got out of bed. She

change the sheets. Sorry-I must've wandered in here that night,

some ways, she was as clueless as a

there,

collapsed onto her bed, and was ready to fall asleep

like something to eat? You've been sleeping for days,

but her stomach rumbled. "That

asked for soup herself. She hurried off to the kitchen, calling for a big pot

but she felt surprisingly clean. In her dreams. shed been sweating a

the master had already

over the pillow, noticing a few strands