Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 109

Whenever Clara was around, she was automatically in the wrong. Just then, Simon walked in, sensing the charged atmosphere in the room. He quickly stepped forward to scoop Quinn into his arms.

"Clara, what's going on?" he asked, concerned. He'd been worried Clara was losing interest in him, but now she's confronting Quinn and almost went after their kid. It's clear she was blinded by jealousy. Oddly enough, Simon felt a bit relieved.

"No matter how upset you are, you can't take it out on our child," he added.

Clara just stood there, looking at the family and feeling like she was speaking a different language. She hadn't even said a word, and already they made her out to be the villain.

As she turned to leave, Naomi shouted, "Where are the guards?! Grab her. Ryan's right; she might be having a breakdown. Better lock her up!"

Ryan was caught off guard and quickly tried to backpedal. "Mom, I was just kidding." The more he talked, the quieter he got, until he ended up staring at his shoes.

Clara was taken by a few guards to the punishment room—a special place the Bradfords had set up for dealing with troublesome staff.

The room was bare, just a low bench too short to reach the window, and a door. Clara sat on the bench, surprisingly calm. Night fell, and she heard footsteps outside.

She called out hesitantly, "Ryan?"

Ryan felt uneasy, knowing Clara ended up here because of something he said. Everyone else was out for dinner. He faked being sick to stay behind and ended up at Clara's door.

Clara had hit him a few times before and even sided with a stranger, which left him feeling hurt. Now, he heard her call his name and just stayed quiet on purpose.

Clara leaned against the door and knew her brother wasn't as heartless as the rest of the Bradfords. He was just spoiled and unable to tell right from wrong.

"Even if you don't answer, I can tell it's you. You're the nicest to me in this house," she said.

Ryan couldn't help but smile, but he didn't want to seem too easy to win over. He huffed, crossing his arms "Clara, you know I'm the nicest to you, and yet you slapped me. You made me look bad in front of my friends."

Clara had slapped him in front of

bon giving him odd looks. A

and ever since that dayet

they'd

guy's pride is everything!

"I slapped you because I didn't want you to go down the wrong path. It was

because I care," Clara explained.

Ryan frowned, thinking it over before asking, "Really?"

Clara rubbed her temples. The rest of the Bradfords were sharp, so how could

Ryan be so clueless, even more so than Simon?

"Of course, it's true. Do you have a key? Let me out."

"Clara, you're just trying to butter me up to get out of here!"

"Ryan, I'm your sister. I've cooked so many meals for you. What has Quinn ever done for you? It's not

about what people say but what net

they do. Anyone can say nice things; real advice is hard to take, got it?"

Ryan was taken aback. "The key isn't with me. It's with Mom."

"Isn't there a spare key? Go look for it."

"Why should I do what you say?"

"Because I've cooked for you so many times. What have you ever done for me?"

Ryan fell silent, feeling a bit guilty.