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.

hadn't gone down. Once her mind started spinning again, all she could do was stress about how on earth she

head pound. She felt like

day, as the sun was setting, that Clara finally

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

hand gently pressed her

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

stared at him for a few seconds, then remembered

wasn't her own

goodness she hadn't woken up actually sharing a blanket with him. She had

out a slow breath,

your bed the past few days where

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

gaze lingered on her cheek for a moment before he looked away, his lashes casting a shadow over his

did he always

got out of bed. She felt better, but

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

she was as clueless as a

there,

to her own room, collapsed onto her bed, and was

you like something to eat? You've been sleeping for days, and now that your fever's broken, we thought we'd make you some soup

her stomach rumbled. "That

Ferguson had ever actually asked for soup herself. She hurried off

still so tired. She probably should've taken a shower, but she felt surprisingly clean. In her dreams. shed been sweating a

in the master had already been changed the night before,

over the pillow, noticing a