Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Tara was so mad she could barely see straight. Honestly, Clara's shamelessness

never failed to amaze her.

She shot Dylan a look, took a deep breath, and said, "Dylan, you really shouldn't

eat anything she made. You know she was involved in what happened with your

grandmother—who's to say she hasn't poisoned your food?"

Dylan just lowered his eyes and quietly took a few more bites. Then, without even

looking up, he asked, "And you are...?"

Tara froze, sure she'd misheard. "What did you just say?"

He didn't bother replying. Instead, he picked up his phone and called Aiden.

A couple minutes later, Aiden came in. "Ms. Warren, I'm going to have to ask you

to leave."

Tara's face went from red to white, her fingers gripping the lunchbox so tight her

knuckles stood out. "Dylan, you can't be serious. Are you joking?"

Aiden kept his polite smile. "The CEO doesn't remember anyone. Not just Mrs.

Ferguson."

Tara's nails dug so deep into her palm she nearly broke the skin.

She'd thought Dylan had only forgotten Clara. It never even crossed her mind that

he'd forgotten everyone. He acted so calm, still handled work like nothing

happened—she'd assumed he'd just blocked out one person.

When the office was finally empty, Dylan looked down at the three dishes and

soup in front of him, all packed in pretty thermal containers.

He stared at the chopsticks in his hand, pressing his lips together.

Something about all of this just felt off.

For the next three days, Clara showed up on the dot with breakfast, lunch, and

dinner. Pretty soon, everyone in their circle was talking.

Back when Clara was chasing Simon, there was nothing she wouldn't try. Now it

looked like she was pulling the same moves on Dylan.

"What's up with that? Didn't Dylan already marry Clara?"

"I heard all the rumors, thought it

was real too. But at his grandma's

funeral none of us saw Clara. If they

were really married, how could she

not show up for something that

important?"

"Would you show up if you were her?

The old lady died because of her! I

bet they did get married, but after

what happened, they got divorced

right away. Walter made it

clear there's no way a woman like

her is stepping into the Ferguson

family."

That made sense to everyone.

Probably, Dylan was hit hard by his grandmother's death, came to his senses,

and divorced Clara on the spot. But Clara couldn't let go and started clinging to

him.

When Simon heard all the gossip, it felt like his chest was on fire.

He waited outside Clara's building from midnight until eight in the morning. Finally,

he saw her come out.

He noticed the food container in her hand, and his face darkened. "Clara, is that

for Dylan?"

Clara hadn't seen him in ages. She frowned, didn't bother replying, and walked

right past him.

Simon reached out and grabbed her wrist. But Clara moved faster—one smooth

motion, and she flipped him right onto the ground.

Simon lay there, stunned. The pain only hit him after he landed, and he glared up

at her as she kept walking away.noveldrama

"Clara!"

He scrambled up and chased after

her, eyes red. "Do you even

remember how good you were to

me? When you cook for him, do you

ever think about us? Even if you

were just pretending then, you really

did care about me. I was the idiot

who didn't appreciate it. If I'd given

you even a little back, things

wouldn't have—"

Clara stopped and turned, sounding annoyed. "Are you done?"

She glanced at Simon, who was actually crying, tears streaming down his face.

Just standing there, completely lost.

But to Clara, when she stopped caring about someone, even if they died right in

front of her, it just didn't matter.