Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara ate quietly, just a few bites, planning to crawl back into bed and rest. But before she could, Charles pulled the covers away.

"Don't just lie down after eating. Get up, put your shoes on. In three days, I'm taking you to meet some people."

"Who are we meeting?" she asked, sliding off the bed and obediently reaching for her shoes. Her hands were still sore, making her movements awkward and slow.

Charles waited, watching her fumble for a bit before crouching down to help. He slipped her shoes on gently. "Just a few outsiders. When the time comes, remember to put in a good word for your big brother, okay?"

"Of course," she replied without hesitation.

Charles paused for a second, his hand lingering on her shoe. That feeling-he couldn't really put it into words, but it was kind of wonderful.

He straightened up and headed downstairs. Just then, his older brother called from overseas.

"Hey, big brother, guess what? I've only been in Country Z for a few days and now I have a little sister."

He thought about handing the phone to Clara, but his brother didn't seem interested. He just got straight to the point. "Did you finish your task?"

Charles's cheerful mood faded. "Yeah. Richard agreed to move the goods."

"Good."

continued, "I transferred you some money. Don't worry about what happened last

woman had called him nothing but the Chester

he was? The eldest and second brothers were doing great,

wasn't always the

to stick around here a bit

His brother sounded

my two best guys to help look for her. But you know how it is-those two are like my lifeline. I can't just

the other end, his brother sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew Charles was attached to those two, but it was still a little funny

"Charles."

I'm happy here. I even have a little sister now. Maybe someday, if there's a

he remembered

how

the Chester

"Actually, never mind. She doesn't have to come to the

a bad fever as a kid left him a little childish. It was only

family had taught

a few