Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Mrs. Ferguson almost fainted on the spot, clutching at the nearest person and

desperately asking what had happened.

A maid passing by, seeing her panic, quickly tried to explain. "Ms. Clara liked that

tree before she left, so the young master had it dug up for her."

Unbelievable.

Mrs. Ferguson's face went chalk white, and she collapsed right then and there.

She was convinced now-Clara had come to curse the Ferguson family. Of all

things, she'd had to take the family's lucky tree. Maybe Clara really was their bad

luck charm, just like those ill-fated stars people whispered about, destined to bring

trouble wherever she went.

Meanwhile, Clara was totally oblivious to the chaos she'd caused. When she got

back to Palm Bay, she asked someone to plant the tree just outside her floor-to-

ceiling windows.

The roots had barely settled when the butler called Dylan, sounding frantic.

"Young Master, Mrs. Ferguson just fainted."

Dylan frowned. Wasn't she fine just a little while ago? How did things go south so

quickly?

"Did someone upset her?"

The butler wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Ms. Clara took the tree Mrs.

Ferguson brought back from the temple. It meant a lot to her. She got too worked

up and passed out."

Dylan paused, his gaze shifting to Clara.

She was standing under the newly planted tree, gently touching its leaves. The

on her wrist caught the light, perfectly matching

leaves.

She looked stunning.

the phone, growing

maybe we should

Find another one just like it and put it back for

was one

to find another?

"But-"

get to finish. Clara called out from under the tree, "Honey, is it okay if

keep it right here?"

to the butler he just hung up and walked

soft. "If you like it,

next three days were a whirlwind.

party preparations. Clara only caught glimpses of him when she

asleep at night.

eve of the party, a

felt strangely unsettled. The main hall at Palm Bay was full

last detail for

down at the crowd. She didn't know any

feel like going down to

for bed, she took a long

under the covers.

of the night, a

of thunder woke her.

the other side of

still

pulled her robe tighter and stepped

was silent except for a faint glow coming from

was about to

you coming

his voice through

It wasn't the warm,

she was used to.

was cold, detached.

wanted him gone. The more thoroughly he disappears, the

with him, sounding

aside.

his, doesn't deserve Clara."