Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara pushed herself to her feet, swallowing nervously. "Someone gave it to me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dylan stared at the photo for a long moment. Without a word, he pulled out his lighter and flicked it on.

As the flame flared, Clara reached out, trying to stop him, but he just looked at her and asked, "Who gave it to you? When did this happen?"

Something about him tonight sent a chill through her. She took a step back, heart pounding.

The fire crept higher, almost burning his fingers, but he didn't even flinch. He just watched her. "Answer me."

Clara pressed her lips together and looked down. "I don't know who. A few days ago."

He let out a dry, humorless laugh and flicked the smoldering remains away. "A few days ago?"

So she'd been hiding it all this time. No wonder she'd seemed distracted lately, like something was weighing on her. It was because of this.

Even in her sleep, she called out someone else's name.

So that's what it was.

Losing her memory couldn't erase it.

Growing up didn't help either.

It was like that person was carved into her bones, and Dylan realized, no matter what he did, he could never cut him out.

Seeing how much this hurt him made Clara's chest ache. She didn't even really know why she'd hidden the photo in the first place.

be mad." She tried to comfort him, but he just

sky, bright enough to split the darkness

the sarcasm, the bitterness, the way she looked

that hurt most: "Why couldn't it have been you

try to hide things, but in the end, it all just

Clara's voice trembled. She stepped closer, cupping his face in her hands. "I didn't mean to hide it.

his lips. They were ice

her shudder, and she pulled her

another chance,

Inen

turned away from her, standing ramrod straight. "You're not the only one

her forehead, then hurried after

disappeared into the

only raising her head when the

came out in his pajamas, hair wet, droplets running down

eyes down, his face pale,

for a second, then grabbed a towel and reached up to dry his hair. He slapped her

"Dylan―"

Bang!

His fist

ammed into the picture

the wall. His

water pooling at

don't love me. You never loved