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.

Clara nodding off in her seat,

asked a maid to take her

could rest.

at the old mansion were polite

really like Clara.

tonight, Clara figured she'd be sharing his room

plans. She led Clara

the very last

cramped storage room with a tiny bed, barely big enough for a

idea what

this must be her room for the night. She

thanked the maid.

"This is where you belong. Being part of

family isn't so simple."

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

adore her. They saw Tara as the real

them believed Clara was just

that was

refused to acknowledge Clara

the staff naturally followed

the door closed

sat down on

the room was nothing

bright chandeliers downstairs, but

still make out all

random stuff piled around.

small, cluttered with boxes and

Clara walked over to

window and looked out.

lit

she saw Tara

standing together, talking.

she must

and looked again. It really was Dylan and

Dylan her husband? Why was he out there with