Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 783

Clara waited for him to finish eating before she picked up the insulated lunch box, ready to head out. She was almost at the door when he spoke up.

"You..."

He was always quick and to the point with everyone else, just issuing orders. But with Clara, it was like he had to pause, gather his thoughts, and even then, he never seemed to know what to say.

She waited, counting out ten seconds in her head. Nothing. So she took a guess. "You have an event tonight, right? No need for me to bring dinner?"

He hesitated, something flickering in his eyes. "Yeah." Then, as if realizing how cold that sounded, he added, "Can't get out of it."

Clara gave him a small smile. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow morning, then-right on time."

And with that, she opened the office door and slipped out.

Dylan stared at the keyboard in front of him. Lately, he felt like his emotions had been dialed down to zero-nothing really grabbed his attention; everything around him felt washed-out and gray. Work was the only thing that mattered.

in, it was like someone turned the world's colors back on. The dullness faded, and life crept back in, just a little-like rain coaxing green from

who she was. He'd just gotten used to waiting for her to

through until six, when Aiden knocked on

Rai-he'd already left. But now Rai was back in the city, and they'd finally set a time to

night, the old house was as bustling

in, everyone's eyes were on him. Some people looked relieved Clara wasn't by his side. Others looked

one knew exactly what tricks the old man had pulled, but somehow, he'd

his ever-kind face, saw Dylan and visibly relaxed. "Dylan, it's

walking over slowly. Now that he was out

looked him over, satisfied, and clapped him on the shoulder. "Your leg's all better?

He wasn't really sure what had happened before, didn't remember much, but there was no pain. "Yeah," he

been fine for a while? Why'd you

"Dylan, take this. Now that you're back to normal, the position's still yours. We argued with the elders about waiting for your