Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara jolted awake, her heart pounding as she sat up in bed, gulping in air.

She glanced over at the other side of the big bed-he was still fast asleep, peaceful as ever.

The window had been left open, and the night breeze kept making the curtains billow and float, filling the room with restless shadows.

She slipped out of bed, thinking a little fresh air might help clear her head. But the moment her feet touched the floor, she heard his voice behind her. "Can't sleep?"

The lamp on his nightstand was still glowing. He was awake now, eyes open and watching her.

She nodded. "Yeah."

Clara slid open the balcony door and stepped outside. The night air was cool, brushing against her bare skin. She leaned against the railing, trying to steady herself. Maybe that dream had been triggered by his goodnight kiss-she still felt a little shaken.

Dylan showed up in the doorway, his robe loosely wrapped around him. "Nightmare?"

She hesitated, fingers wrapping tight around the railing. "No, I'm fine," she said, though her voice sounded small.

He seemed to sense her unease and didn't come any closer, just stayed by the door, giving her space.

The wind was stronger out here, a little chilly.

He paused, then quietly slipped off his robe and draped it over her shoulders before stepping back to the doorway, careful not to intrude.

Clara's cheeks burned. She clung to the cold metal railing, trying to keep herself together.

Not wanting that uncomfortable silence to drag on, she tried to find something— anything—to talk about. "Earlier tonight, when I ran out... it was because I saw a shadow. It looked just like..."

She trailed off, struggling to find the right words. Part of her knew Dylan liked her, and bringing up another guy felt unfair. But she couldn't keep it bottled up, either. She took a shaky breath.

"It looked like my boyfriend. I know it sounds crazy, but I keep thinking he's not really gone. He was always. fragile. I guess that's not a great word for a guy, but it fits him. He was the kind of person you just couldn't stay mad at. I'd try to be tough, tell myself to break up with him, but in the end, I just couldn't do it. It's weird-how someone can make you feel like saying anything harsh is almost a crime."

As she spoke, she found herself opening up, a small, sad smile tugging at her

lips.

"He was strange, honestly. Always

hiding something. But it never bothered me. I think it was that feeling of connection, like our souls just clicked. With him, I could relax, let my guard down. Even the parts of mel usually hide felt safe around him. Sometimes I wonder why I loved him so much."

She looked down at the garden, the streetlights making everything outside glow softly.

"No matter how much I think about it, I can't figure it out. In the end, I guess you don't really need a reason to love someone. Maybe it's like you, Dylan. We haven't even spent much time together, but your feelings for me are so simple and real. I could never bring myself to hurt you."

She let out a long breath, her shoulders finally dropping a little. The courtyard below was washed in golden light.noveldrama

"If you spend your life searching for reasons behind everything, you'll just drive yourself crazy. Tonight, I saw something that reminded me of him and I an after it without thinking. Now people talk about me like I'm cursed. Sometimes I wonder if he'd never met me, would he still be okay? Maybe there's some truth to those old stories about unlucky fates. Carrying that kind of weight, you just want to get close to someone you care about, but you end up feeling so small, so afraid you'll ruin them just by being there."

She realized she was rambling, maybe saying too much, maybe even hurting him. She quickly tried to take it back.

"Sorry, I'm just tired and kind of in my feelings tonight. You..."

She turned to look at him. He was leaning in the doorway, just a thin shirt on, the

wind tugging at his collar and ruffling his hair. He looked so gentle and patient, waiting for her.