Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

How could Dylan possibly hold on to something like that-unless it had to do with Clara?

Right away, she remembered the red bead bracelet Clara always wore. Clara once said she'd given her boyfriend one just like it—a one-of-a-kind gift.

Now the bracelet was with Dylan. There was only one explanation.

That man's death had to be connected to Dylan.

If Dylan hadn't lost his memory, he would've kept the red bead bracelet safe, hidden somewhere no one could find it. He would never let anyone see it.

But now, he didn't remember a thing. That's why he'd been careless, why Megan had found her opening.

Megan's eyes sparkled with excitement. She couldn't stop grinning, practically buzzing with glee.

She'd thought all these days in Palm Bay had been a waste, that nothing would come of it. But now, everything had just fallen right into her lap.

Dylan noticed Megan still hanging around and slammed the drawer shut. His tone was cold. "Are you done staring?"

He couldn't care less who she was, or how many women his father had sent over the years.

All he wanted was to finish up the latest work for Ferguson Corporation and get to North America as soon as possible.

Megan barely managed to hide her excitement as she hurried to the door. "I'm heading out. Goodnight, Mr. Dylan."

Dylan just knew he didn't like her. The feeling was instant and strong.

He dropped his gaze, lashes trembling, gripping his files even tighter than before. She was... strange.

He couldn't explain it, but something about her just felt off.

He forced himself not to look at her, wrestling with the odd feeling she left behind.

It nagged at him all day, leaving him restless and distracted.

Eventually, he gave up on work, stood up, and walked down the hall to the master bedroom.

Clara dreamed of someone watching her a gentle gaze, lingering on her face, her lips.

The look was soft, almost curious, like someone studying her.

Even in her sleep, her head hurt, throbbing so badly it felt like it might split open.

She frowned in her dream.

A moment later, she felt a fingertip press against her brow, as if someone was trying to smooth away her worries.

She reached out and instinctively grabbed the hand.

"Z..."

She called out without thinking, clutching the hand tightly, refusing to let go.

The hand paused, silent, its owner watching her face.

Sweat dotted Clara's forehead. She tossed and turned, mumbling in her sleep, as

if trapped in a nightmare.

Suddenly, she jolted awake and looked around the room.

No one was there. Only the bedside lamp cast a warm glow.

She remembered leaving the window open before she fell asleep, but now it was

closed. Even the curtains had been drawn.noveldrama

She blinked, her eyes aching. Maybe she was just imagining things.

Slowly, she lay back down, holding her hand in front of her face and squeezing it. The feeling from her dream-like she was holding onto something real-still lingered, chasing away her panic.

She managed a faint smile. Whatever.

Rest came first. Everything else could wait until she was better.

The next morning, she woke early and obediently changed her bandages.

Downstairs, she found Megan sitting stiffly on the couch. Milo and Buddy were lying as far away as possible.

Megan breathed a sigh of relief

when she saw Clara. "Those two et

dogs are seriously ugly. Are they

yours? They don't really fit inca fancy place like Palm Bay."

Clara felt a little hurt, though she knew Milo and Buddy weren't everyone's idea of

cute.

She sat down with them and picked at her breakfast, then asked, "Megan, you've been here for days. Aren't you heading home soon?"

She wasn't trying to kick Megan out-it was just that she

remembered Megan had workel

she didn't want her friend to get in trouble for taking care of her.

Megan's face tightened, a flash of anger in her eyes before she quickly covered it

up.

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

Clara worried Megan would take it the wrong way, so she quickly added, "I just don't want you to fall behind at work."

"I took some time off. That night really scared me I couldn't just leave you here alone."

"Thank you," Clara said softly.