Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara was practically drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging to her as she

slumped into a chair in the grand foyer. Only then did she finally let herself pass

out, her face going slack with relief.

The staff moved fast. Someone called the doctor, while others fussed politely over

Megan, offering her tea and soft words.

It was Megan's first time at Palm Bay. After weeks of going out of her mind,

unable to reach Clara no matter how many times she tried, she'd never expected

things to turn out like this. Instead of endless waiting, she'd suddenly found

herself standing in Dylan's home.

She'd always watched him from a distance before-never close enough to truly

touch anything that belonged to his world. But now, she could run her fingers over

the banister he'd gripped, walk the floors he'd paced, and breathe in the air he'd

left behind. The feeling gave her a weird, giddy sense of satisfaction.noveldrama

Sure, Tara was still around-her rival, the other obstacle. But honestly, Megan

didn't waste much time worrying about her. To her, Tara was just as clueless as

Eden-both of them hopelessly out of their depth.

A slow, secretive smile tugged at Megan's lips. She turned to a maid nearby. "Is

Mr. Dylan coming home today?"

The maid shook her head. "Sir won't be back for a few days."

Megan raised her eyebrows. She'd heard enough rumors floating around lately-

Dylan and Clara marrying, then divorcing, word that Dylan might be heading to

North America. Places like Moonlight were always swirling with gossip; after all,

everyone there was someone important.

That was exactly why she never quit her job there. Staying at Moonlight meant

staying close to Dylan. She'd played the long game, keeping her feelings hidden,

acting like Clara's loyal friend, waiting for the right moment.

She'd always believed that if she was patient enough, she'd eventually find her

way to Dylan's side.

Now, with Clara missing for nearly two months, her chance had finally arrived.

Megan was determined this time-she wasn't letting it slip by.

She followed the doctor upstairs, eyes red and watery as she hovered anxiously

by Clara's bedside.

"How is Clara?" she managed, her voice trembling.

The doctor worked quietly, removing the bullet from Clara's thigh, then cleaning

and dressing the wound on her palm.

Megan wiped her tears, sliding into the chair next to Clara. "Let me help. I'll stay

here and look after her for the next few days."

The staff were clearly grateful, but one still asked gently, "Miss, are you a friend of

the lady of the house?"

The title made something flicker in Megan's eyes-something sharp and

possessive. One day, she thought, that title will be mine.

"Yes," she said, steady and sure. "I'm her best friend. I was the one who saved

her tonight. I'd like to stay."

Of course. As the lady's friend, you're welcome here," the maid replied with a

smile.

Megan turned her attention to Clara, lying pale and unconscious in bed. How

lucky could one girl get? She was no one special, just some illegitimate child, yet

even the staff at Palm Bay adored her.

Why did Clara get everything so easily?

Megan pushed down all her

resentment and jealousy, making

sure not a trace of it showed. She

busied herself wiping Clara's face,

giving orders for medicine, moving

around the room with the quiet

authority of someone who belonged.

It wasn't until noon the next day that Clara's fever finally broke.

A maid saw the exhaustion written all over Megan's face and spoke up. "Ms.

Megan, you should really get some rest. We've prepared a guest room for you."

Megan nodded, rubbing her temples, her voice scratchy from lack of sleep.

"Thank you. I'm just really worried about Clara. Please let me know the moment

she wakes up, okay?"

The maid nodded, clearly touched. What a wonderful friend, she thought.

But night came, and Clara still didn't wake up.

The staff changed her bandages once, all of them wincing when they saw the

wound on her palm.

When Megan woke from a nap and found out Clara was still unconscious, she

decided she needed some air and asked if she could walk around outside.

Palm Bay was huge, with several houses clustered around the main one every

single one belonging to Dylan. The maid nodded.

"Feel free to look around, Ms. Megan. Just make sure you're back for dinner."

A shadow crossed Megan's face, but she smiled and headed out.

She wandered for a while before she heard a woman singing somewhere nearby.

Curious, she edged closer to one of the houses, but before she could get too

close, someone appeared out of nowhere.

"Please return to the main house," the man said, his tone icy.

Megan startled, stepping back several paces before realizing it was one of the

estate's security guards.

That's when it hit her-Palm Bay was crawling with staff and security, most of

them hidden in the shadows.

Thank God she hadn't let her mask slip when she thought she was alone. If

anyone had seen how she really felt about Clara, she would've blown her cover.

Megan drew a shaky breath and

patted her chest, acting the part of

the startled guest. "I'm Clara's friend,

just out for a walk. Sorry, I just

wanted to know-who's singing

upstairs?"

The guard's expression didn't change. "That's not your concern."

Megan's smile faltered. So much for

being able to go anywhere she

wanted just because she was

Clara's friend. Clearly, Dylan had

secrets tucked away everywhere.

She couldn't help but wonder what

exactly was he hiding?