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.

she could do was stress about how on earth she could

her head pound. She felt like

was setting, that Clara finally woke up

well in forever. She stretched out, feeling

hand gently pressed her arm

on the edge of the bed, looking immaculate. His suit was perfectly tailored and every

then remembered her shoulder-no wonder it hurt every

her own room.

blanket with him. She had no idea how she'd ever

slow breath, feeling a

I've been hogging your bed the past few days

honest, it probably never even crossed her mind that the two of them had

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

did he always

and got out of bed. She felt better, but still a little

have someone change the sheets. Sorry-I must've wandered in

in some ways, she was as

just sat there, quietly watching

back to her own room, collapsed onto her bed, and was ready to fall asleep

her door. "Ma'am, would you like something to eat? You've been sleeping for days, and now that your fever's broken, we thought we'd make

eyes closed, but her stomach rumbled. "That sounds

was the first time Mrs. Ferguson had ever actually asked for soup herself. She hurried off to the kitchen, calling for a big pot of soup

probably should've taken a shower, but she felt surprisingly clean. In her dreams. shed been sweating a lot, but now she just felt fresh and comfortable. Too lazy to care, she snuggled into her

sheets in the master had already been changed the night before, when

fingers over the pillow, noticing