Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 617

Clara's brow furrowed, that familiar knot of worry tightening in her chest. She liked to think she understood him-sometimes his silence felt less like calm, more like the warning before a storm.

But would her leaving really make him that angry?

His eyes flashed through her mind on a loop, making her uneasy. She didn't dare gamble on what he'd do. If she set foot back in Dylan's territory, she'd be walking right into a showdown she couldn't win.

So, she stuck to her plan: disappear to another city, lay low until news broke that Dylan had married Tara, and then maybe just maybe she'd come back to the Capital.

She took a deep breath. "Don't tell anyone where I'm going. I'll head to the next city. Once I'm settled, I'll let you know."

Ryan's voice wavered. "So you're not coming back to the Capital for a while?"

Clara was beyond exhausted but still managed to lean down and gently coax Emily to eat some chocolate.

Emily barely had the strength to chew, but she forced herself. She wasn't ready to give up.

Clara finally answered Ryan. "I won't be back for at least a year. When Dylan gets married, let me know."

Ryan's eyes instantly reddened. "So that's it? I'm just never going to see you again? Clara, I shouldn't have accused you of wanting the Bradford family money.

I was wrong. You can have it-everything. Can't we just go back to how things were?"

He finally said what had been weighing on him.

she really wanted it, he could just give it to

her

Ryan could handle the company on his own, anyway. She'd been away from the Bradford Group for a while, and things were still running

drove, he wanted to say more, but when he saw Clara's eyes closed in

gas pedal and

hours later, they finally pulled into the

dare check into a fancy hotel-too easy to track.

that didn't care much

written all over his face. "Let me book you somewhere nicer with

to get away-she wasn't about to

and was out

pick up

options he could find. When

out, "Clara, I've

behind the bathroom door, and he passed

came out, Clara looked and felt a little more like

sensing she had more

nibbling on chocolate before finally speaking. give you Z's address. When you get back to the Capital, go find him. Tell him where I'm staying and have

did that guy get such special treatment? What

him so deserving?

clenched his jaw and said nothing, his

knew exactly how