Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 21

Clara had been lounging with a face mask on for about half an hour when she heard him say, "It's getting late." It was his polite way of suggesting she should leave.

Clara stayed put on the couch, her heart still thumping. Here, at least, she felt a semblance of safety. Sure, Dylan was intimidating, but it beat facing the unknown dangers outside.

Colton was swayed by Quinn's manipulations and believed every word she said. He'd probably use even nastier tricks next time. Clara set the ice pack from her hand down on the coffee table and asked, "Mind if I crash here tonight? I'll just take the couch; I promise I won't be a bother."

Dylan was already heading to the master bedroom, and Clara, taking the hint, quickly moved behind his wheelchair to give him a push. Even though she knew he didn't need her help, she was asking for a favor and had to show the right attitude.

As they got to the bedroom, she added, "I don't snore, really. I can rough it on the couch for one night."

"Do as you like."

Relieved by his agreement, her face broke into a smile. "Thanks again, Mr. Dylan."

Without looking at her, Dylan braced himself on the bed and slowly got to his feet. Clara suddenly recalled what Aiden had mentioned about Dylan's physical therapy. Was she messing up his routine tonight? She hurried over to steady his hand.

Dylan carried a faint scent, kind of like the crisp smell of pine trees in winter. He eased himself onto the bed, moving his legs up with a surprising grace that was oddly captivating.

Standing there, Clara thought maybe Megan had a point. Even with his leg issues, there'd still be no shortage of girls drawn to him.

Was his accident really her fault? She didn't ask, worried she'd hit a nerve.

As she reached the door, she politely asked, "Mr. Dylan, would you like the lights off?"

"No thank you."

She softly closed the door. Exhaustion hit her hard. After the medication and soaking in cold water for an hour, she was wiped out and quickly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, instead of waking up refreshed, she felt like she was on fire. Voices lingered around her, and someone gently pried her mouth open, feeding her something bitter. She grimaced, about to spit it out, but a firm hand kept her jaw up, making her swallow.

Dylan put the bowl aside and checked the IV drip nearby.

"Mr. Dylan, her fever's pushing 104 degrees. She won't be up for a bit," the private doctor, who'd been called in the dead of night, explained.

Clara had been burning up since 3 AM. She had just been discharged from the hospital and wasn't eating well, leaving her in a fragile state. The cold bath had pushed her over the edge into sickness.

It wasn't until 7 PM that Clara finally came to. Her throat felt parched like it was on fire. She tried to sit up, almost passing out from the effort. Dylan handed her a glass of water with a frown.

After gulping down the water, Clara felt she was forgetting something important. Glancing at the clock, she scrambled to get up. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go. Tonight, Simon's going to the Bradford family to call off the engagement."

If she didn't show up, Simon's over-imaginative brain would spin all sorts of scenarios.

Dylan watched her stagger away, a smirk playing on his lips as he set his cup down. "I thought maybe this time you actually..."

"What?"

Clara's mind was a foggy mess. As she reached for the door, her vision blurred to black. Defeated, she made her way back to bed, too drained by the day's fever to stay on her feet. She didn't get another word out before slipping back into sleep.

Dylan sat by her side, his expression growing colder by the minute. After a while, he wheeled himself out of the room.

On the other side, Simon had indeed shown up at the Bradford estate. Once the Bradford family heard that Clara planned to break off the engagement, they were all smiles.

Ryan congratulated Quinn. "Congrats, Quinn. It looks like you and Simon will finally be together. Once Clara's engagement is off, are you two tying the knot soon?"

Quinn blushed shyly, though her thoughts were anything but sweet. Clara probably wouldn't make it, not with Colton's interference. In a few hours, scandalous photos of Clara would be everywhere. By then, everyone would turn their backs on her, and even Simon would likely give up any fantasies about her.

Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes glinting with a false happiness. "It's almost time. My sister should be on her way."

Simon, sitting nearby, snorted. He didn't believe for a second that Clara would actually show up!