Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 622

Clara had spent two days unwinding at the little inn, more relaxed than she'd been in ages. In the early evening, she decided to step out for a walk on her own.

This city sat right next to the Capital-business was booming here, too. The Capital had its famous river, but this place had the sea. Her inn was small, but if you followed the straight road in front, you'd reach the ocean in about twenty minutes.

Spring was in full swing. The flowerbeds along the way were starting to bloom, and Clara felt light on her feet. She even passed a few people selling seashells on the sidewalk.

When she finally got to the beach, the wind was wild, carrying that sharp, briny scent only the sea could have. The view was beautiful, but she couldn't help noticing how empty it felt seeing it all by herself.

After a while, she found a phone booth near the road and called Ryan.

She told him to get in touch with Z. Why hadn't he shown up yet? Was he still angry with her?

Clara didn't dare reach out to Z herself. With her ties to Dylan, there were too many people from the Capital watching her every move. She didn't want to drag Z into her mess.

"Clara, I already called him," Ryan said. "He was as rude as ever-hung up before I could finish my sentence. Are you sure you want to be with someone like that?"

Clara rubbed her forehead, feeling the ache in her head get worse with the evening breeze.

She took a deep breath. "Did he say anything else?"

had, she figured he'd be furious, maybe even show up on her doorstep. But all she got was silence. She'd thought after Ryan

never doubted how Z felt about her, but his absence

worried Simon would catch on. When he spoke again,

my place. We planned that thing together last time, and now he's worried Dylan's going

be reckless like that again," Clara

did Simon get the idea that hiding

forced to marry. That's all I could think about. Clara, you have no idea how much you used to hate him. Maybe being away will help you remember-and then you'll

a real threat to Dylan, but he

further. She just asked him to swing by Z's place if

made Ryan uneasy, like there was something lurking there that wasn't meant to be

a guy who lived

he drove

little house was

car, chain-smoking, telling himself he'd wait until

to.

Simon was calling, asking

of his sight. Annoyed, Ryan had no