Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara moved quietly down the narrow hallway. There was only one way forward- a straight shot into the dark.

It didn't take long before she reached a shadowy corner, where a battered figure hung from metal chains. It was Aiden.

He looked half-dead, blood smeared all over him. The fact he was even breathing was a miracle.

"Aiden..." Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

Two guards lunged at her from the side. Without hesitating, Clara kicked one of them hard—he slammed into the wall and crumpled, coughing up blood. The other scrambled for his gun, but she knocked it out of his hand before he could pull the trigger.

She quickly searched them for keys and unlocked the shackles holding Aiden up. "Aiden," she called softly.

There was a fresh cut on his cheek, and he squinted at her with hazy eyes. His voice was rough, barely there: "Ma'am..."

Something about the way he said it made Clara's throat tighten. She almost burst into tears.

"I'm getting you out of here."

Aiden shook his head, eyelashes lowering. "Mr. Sterling... he won't let you go. He won't let me go either..."

Only then did Clara notice-he couldn't stand. His legs looked broken.

"Your legs..."

"He said I hid the truth... about the CEO's recovery. So he punished me."

Clara felt a wave of anger rise up in her chest. Punished? This wasn't punishment this was ruining him. She remembered how long it took Dylan to walk again. But now, Aiden wasn't even given a chance.

Mr. Sterling really was cold-blooded. He didn't care about anyone.

She wrapped her arm around Aiden, helping him up. "First things first-we're leaving."

"No... I can't drag you down with me..."

Clara could feel eyes on them. Even if she had the upper hand now, if Sterling's men showed up, it would be a bloodbath. The old man wouldn't have mercy on anyone not even Dylan.

She didn't argue. Instead, she lifted Aiden's arm over her shoulders.

Aiden tried to stand, but his legs shook with pain. It was the kind of agony that made you wish you'd just pass out.

Clara knew even standing was torture for him. Most people would've blacked out by now. But Aiden stayed conscious, even recognizing her.

"Aiden, Dylan needs you. You can't give up. If he finds out what happened, he'll never forgive himself."

Aiden flinched a little at Dylan's name. He hesitated, lips trembling, then finally let out a sigh.

Seeing the fight return to his eyes, Clara hurried him toward the stairs.

She had no idea where her strength was coming from. All she knew was she had to reach the exit. Nothing else mattered.

"Ma'am... listen. What Dylan needs most is you. If you two ever have a falling out, you have to trust him, okay?"

Clara had heard this before.

Mrs. Sterling, just before she died-right in the middle of that terrible fire-had made Clara promise the same thing.

If you and Dylan ever have a misunderstanding, don't turn your back on him.

Clara never understood. Did everyone really think she was that ruthless?

She knew she'd hesitated between Dylan and Z before. But no matter who she loved, it was always real.noveldrama

Her feelings weren't cheap. Once she made a choice, she gave it her all.

"Aiden, save your energy. I promise I'll take care of Dylan. I won't hurt him."

Aiden tried to smile, even though pain was written all over his face His body trembled, spasms racking him, but he kept moving, one shaky step at a time, leaning on her.

"You still don't know everything... The CEO has secrets. Maybe more than one. I can't tell you. But I'm afraid if I don't, he never will. If you ever remember-go to Westhill Cemetery."

He coughed, his face going even paler.

Clara took a steadying breath, letting him lean all his weight on her. "Don't talk. Rest. Just trust me-I won't be cruel to him. As long as the truth uel doesn't smack me in the face, I'll always believe in him."

They made their way up the long staircase, step by step.

The basement stairs felt endless, stretching on forever.

Aiden managed a faint smile. "No one's ever gotten out of here before. This path... cough..."

Clara didn't say a word. She just kept climbing.

Maybe no one had escaped before. But that was then. She would be the first.