Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 2

After wrapping up his words, he casually slung an arm around Quinn's waist and walked off without a second glance.

Clara stared at the phone number on her screen. The guy who'd just left claimed to be her fiancé, but he hadn't shown her a shred of concern. His entire focus was on sticking up for Quinn.

It felt like someone had wrapped a steel band around her heart, squeezing the color from her face with a sharp, involuntary ache.

Quinn seemed perfectly okay, while Clara almost died in that accident. Clara wondered how a guy like that could possibly be her fiancé.

She'd been MIA for three days, and received not a single call from her family. All she had was a hazy memory of someone she thought might be her boyfriend.

Without second-guessing, she tapped out the number. The call was quickly picked up.

"Miss Clara?"

"Hi, is this Dylan? I think I might have lost my memory in an accident, and I..."

"Mr. Dylan just got back to the Capital and is still in rehab. Miss Clara, you called him with the same story last time. You claimed to be in a car accident and asked him to come pick you up. He really did have an accident on the way to meet you. If you have any decency, please don't contact Mr. Dylan again."

"But I..."

The call ended with a series of beeps before she could finish.

Clara let out a sigh, sinking back into her chair. Her mind was a chaotic mix of pain and a nagging fear about what lay ahead.

She glanced at her phone, relieved that her Apple Pay still worked. She handed her phone to the nurse who had just come in, asking, "Can you see if this card on my Apple Pay can cover the bill?"

She peeked at her recent transactions. Just last week, she'd dropped two hundred grand on a pair of men's cufflinks. Surely, she wasn't strapped for cash.

The nurse's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Insufficient funds. Miss Clara, your ambulance and hospital fees total twenty thousand."

Clara looked down. Her elegant features were clouded with confusion. How could she be broke after spending two hundred grand just last week?

She scrolled through her contacts and found a number marked "Mom."

Taking a deep breath, she hit dial.

As soon as the call connected, a voice snapped at her, "Oh, you remembered to call me? Clara, how old are you, still pulling these stunts? Simon and Quinn have been an item behind your back for ages. Quinn only kept quiet because she didn't want to upset you. But no, you had to drag Quinn out when you saw them kiss. She had that accident because of you. You're such a headache. I wish you'd just stay away! Quinn always thinks of you as her sister, but all you know are dirty tricks. How did I end up with such a nasty child?"

Clara was about to ask something when she heard Quinn's voice in the background. "Mom, I think Clara might actually have amnesia this time. Can you cut her some slack?"

"Amnesia? How many times has she 'forgotten' things this year?! She's such a fool. If she had any backbone, she'd stay gone and spare me the stress. Quinn, stop defending her. Haven't you put up with enough over the years? Simon said he loved you first. Clara's too chicken to deal with Simon, so she's taking it out on you. You're just too kind-hearted."

Hearing this, Clara's heart felt like it was being torn apart. Was this really her mom speaking? Why, like Simon, hadn't she asked about Clara's condition even once?

She opened her mouth, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "Are you really my mom?"

How could a mother treat her daughter like this?

"Clara, what are you trying to say? Are you trying to drive me to despair? You don't want me as your mom? Well, I don't want a disgraceful daughter like you! How many scandals have you caused chasing after Simon? You can't stand it when I buy Quinn an extra car. Do you really see her as your sister? I don't want to see you for a while. Didn't you lose your memory? Then stay gone! The house will be so much more peaceful without you. You're such bad luck."

Staring at the disconnected call, the ache in Clara's chest wouldn't let up. Her face felt damp, and when she touched it, she realized they were tears.

She picked up her phone, idly scrolling through social media, and stumbled upon Quinn's latest post.

It was a picture taken through a massive window, capturing the stunning Capital skyline with fireworks lighting up the night. The caption read: [Surrounded by loved ones.]

In the reflection of the glass, Simon was visible, along with two blurred figures who seemed to be middle-aged.

The stabbing pain in Clara's chest nearly made her double over.