Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara froze for a few seconds, her mind blank. Panic took over and she snatched a vase from the cabinet, smashing it right over his head.

A rush of sweet plum blossom filled the air. The dried flowers she'd arranged so carefully scattered their petals everywhere, and the beautiful vase-one she'd picked out just for him-shattered to pieces against his skull.

But Clara had no idea the flowers were the ones she'd given him, or that the vase was expensive.

Pressed against the wall, she eyed him warily, her voice tight. "Are you clear- headed now?"

Dylan didn't answer. He just felt something warm drip down his face.

He didn't bother to touch it. Instead, his gaze drifted to her lips.

Her lips were swollen and bright red. There was even a spot of blood at the corner his doing.

Clara felt a chill under the weight of his stare. She couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the Dylan she knew.

If Dylan used to be pure white, the man in front of her now was all shadow and contrast-dangerous, unpredictable.

If the old Dylan had manners and boundaries, she used to think she could handle him.

But right now, she felt like prey, dangled in front of a hungry lion.

She dropped her gaze and made a break for the door, but his voice stopped her.

"I asked Aiden to get your household register. We're getting our marriage certificate tomorrow morning."

Clara froze, her hand locked around the doorknob.

She gripped it so tightly, her knuckles went white.

"Mr. Dylan, I told you-I have a boyfriend."

"He doesn't matter to you."

Those same four words. Dismissive. Cold.

Clara took a shaky breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "That's not true. I care about him. I'm just more rational than he is."

Dylan let out a sharp laugh, eyes drifting to the vase shards at his feet. "You really don't have a heart, do you?"

The words hit her like a punch.

She didn't get it. Why did being calm have to mean being heartless? She just wanted the best for everyone, so she made the best choice.

Love didn't have to mean dragging each other down.

She was tired of arguing. Without looking at him, she said, "If I leave the country, Walter will stop meddling in your marriage. I promise, I'll never come back."

But as soon as she finished, Dylan stepped right up to her, studying her face. Clara tensed, turning her head away.

A second later, his hand clamped around her chin. "I said, you really have no heart."

Her jaw ached and her brows drew together.

Dylan's thumb pressed against her lips, wiping away the blood.

She flinched, raising a hand to push him off, desperate to put some space between them.

But suddenly, he cupped her face in his hands, his voice low and steady.

"Clara, don't push me."

Her hand hovered midair. She had no idea what to say, or what to do to keep him from getting angry.

His next words made it clear.

"Marry me. I'll keep you safe."

Clara's lashes fluttered. She shoved him away, stumbling back several steps.

She was genuinely scared now, her face gone pale.

She turned, yanked open the bedroom door, and hurried downstairs.

On the first floor, she nearly collided with Aiden.

Aiden didn't say a word, and Clara didn't

he other either. She kept h

over

heading for the front get

and rushed past,

Palm Bay was huge-way bigger than she'd imagined.

But her mind was a mess. When she reached the gatehouse, she knocked on the window.noveldrama

"Excuse me, could you open the gate? I need to leave."

No response.

She walked to the tall iron gates, gripping the freezing bars, feeling hopeless.

Was Dylan really going to keep her trapped here?

The thought made her heart pound.

Defeated, she sank onto the curb nearby. The dim streetlights cast her in pale shadow, making her look even more fragile.

She suddenly remembered how Dylan had dealt with Lincoln-he hadn't held back at all.

Deep down, Dylan was ruthless. He just hid it behind a quiet exterior, which made it easy to think he was gentle.

She'd left so fast, she was only wearing a thin nightgown she'd

the gh the fabric, making her

grabbed from the villa. The win net

shiver.

But she refused to go back. Just thinking about Dylan's eyes made her scalp tingle. All she could feel

bit

was the certainty that she was being hunted.