Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 680

As soon as Clara walked back into the main hall, she felt out of place, like she

didn't quite belong. But with Walter's eightieth birthday coming up, she knew she

couldn't let her discomfort show. Everything had to be perfect. Dylan was already

busy-people kept pulling him aside, making him go over guest lists and approve

every little detail.

Clara quietly found a seat in the corner, hoping to fade into the background. That's

when she heard a soft whisper and the quiet shuffle of footsteps. Suddenly,

someone slipped a photo into her hand.

She glanced up, catching a glimpse of the person's back as they disappeared into

the crowd, but she couldn't figure out who it was.

Simon had delivered the picture, just like Aaron had insisted. "Make sure Clara

gets it in person," Aaron had said, convinced the photo would bring back old

memories for her.

The photograph was small, barely bigger than her palm-easy to hide, easy to

keep secret.

Before she even had a chance to look at it, she caught Dylan watching her from

across the room. For a second, guilt twisted in her chest, though she didn't really

understand why. She just quickly hid the photo inside her clothes and avoided his

eyes.

Dylan was tied up for another hour, going through every last detail for the party.

off

over and quietly asked a maid

could rest.

the old mansion were polite enough, but everyone knew

really like Clara.

over tonight, Clara figured

But the maid had other plans. She led Clara down the hallway, all the

the very

storage room with a tiny bed, barely big enough

no idea what was

this must be her room for

thanked the maid.

snorted. "This is where you belong. Being

family isn't so simple."

staff knew how to pick sides, and lately, with Tara

her. They saw Tara as the real

of them believed Clara was

that was never really

refused to acknowledge

followed the lead of the family

the door closed

down on the

room

bright chandeliers downstairs, but

make

random stuff piled around.

cluttered with boxes and

Clara walked

window and

lit up beautifully.

saw Tara and

standing together, talking.

first, Clara thought she must

blinked, rubbed her eyes, and looked again. It really was

Why was