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."

Don't worry about what happened

That annoying woman had called him nothing but the Chester family's

second brothers were doing great,

wasn't always the quickest

fine, big brother. Actually, I want to stick around here a bit longer. Did

His brother

my two best guys to help look for her. But you know how

of his nose. He knew Charles was attached to those two, but it was still a little funny how often he brought them

"Charles."

brother, can I not go back to the Chester family for now? I'm happy here. I even have a little sister now.

he remembered that

again about how

dog of the Chester family,

She doesn't have to come to the estate. She can just hang out here on my turf. There's plenty

was ridiculously good-looking, but a bad fever as a kid left him a little childish. It was

had

a few