Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 757

Clara was crouched on the floor, gathering scattered things, when she spoke up,

her tone steady. "You could give him the world and he still wouldn't be happy. But with me? Even if I treat him badly, he smiles. That's what love is-someone giving, someone willing to take it. I thought you'd figured that out by now."

Tara's tears fell silently, one after another.

The old lady watched her, heart aching. Tara should've been radiant, but because of something she herself had said years ago, Tara had grown stubborn and closed off.

"Tara, listen to me," the old lady said softly. "Take those shares. Go abroad. Start fresh wherever you want. You still have a chance at happiness."

But before she could finish, flames erupted outside the door, thick with the stench of gasoline and turpentine.

Clara jumped up and tried the door, only to find it locked tight from the outside.

She turned to Tara in disbelief. "Is this what you want? To go down together?"

Tara's face went pale. She rushed at the door, rattling the handle, but it wouldn't budge.

She shoved Clara aside, her face twisted with rage. "This is all you, isn't it? You want me dead so you and Dylan can be together, no guilt at all! And the old lady too-get rid of us both, and no one stands in your way!"

Her eyes were wild and red, but there was no time to argue. The air was thick with toxic smoke.

over your face," she

fire spread fast; the ceiling was already burning. Outside, monks in brown robes-volunteers-tried to

walls. "Help! Is anyone

old lady buckled, legs giving out as the smoke thickened. Clara caught her, steadying her as best she could.

eyes, the old lady looked at Clara, struck by

someone smash open a window from the outside. She bolted for

and the old

wanted

junk back through the window, trying to block the

on to the old lady, tried to get them both to the opening, but a wall of fire shot up, forcing her to

exhausted, sank to the floor. "We have to

the smoke. She

Clara hauled her up again. "We're doing

old lady shook her head, voice weak. "It doesn't matter.

life, I

but saw flames licking at the old lady's skirt.

Summoning strength from

hand tight. "You swore to Buddha, remember? This is all I ask.