Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

After Clara lay down, she actually managed to fall asleep for once, and the strange, vivid dreams didn't come back.

When she woke up the next morning, Dylan was already gone. She got ready quietly and headed downstairs.

The rest of the Fergusons were already up, just like always.

As Clara stepped out of her room, she caught sight of the man who'd brought her that photo last night. He stood not far down the hallway, and when their eyes met, his look was pure mockery.

Simon already knew-thanks to Tara—that Clara wasn't quite herself these days. But that hadn't stopped him from handing her the photo. He figured, sooner or later, when she got her mind back, she'd finally see the truth about the man she was sharing a bed with. Besides, if he didn't give it to her now, he might never get another shot. Dylan was too good at keeping her close.

Simon strode over, smirking. "I guess you didn't listen to me at the manor that day," he said. "I told you-Dylan killed your boyfriend. That explosion out in the country? That was his doing. And yet here you are, still by his side. Guess you never really cared about your boyfriend after all. Poor guy waited for you, hoping you'd come, and instead he got killed. Clara, maybe you don't get what I'm saying right now, but just remember-you'll find something next to Dylan someday. And then you'll understand."

He kept it quick, worried Dylan might notice, and then walked away.

Clara stood there for a moment, slipping her hand into her pocket. The photo was still there. She'd planned to give it back to Simon, but as her fingers brushed the edge, a strange feeling washed over her a whisper inside, telling her these photos mattered.

Before she knew it, the hallway was empty again.

Clara stayed there, lost in thought for a while, before finally making her way downstairs.

Downstairs, the younger Fergusons were huddled together, talking about the latest gossip. No one looked her way or said hello.

Clara didn't bother trying to fit in. She just found a seat by the big window, keeping to herself.

Dylan came out of a nearby meeting room and spotted her, sitting alone and staring outside. Something twisted in his chest.

Just then, the butler called everyone for breakfast. Walter and Mrs. Ferguson came down the stairs, and the maid who'd almost been fired last night now stood meekly behind Mrs. Ferguson.

Mrs. Ferguson glanced at Clara, took a long breath, and said, "Dylan, let's just let this go. Clara wasn't really hurt. I'll pick a bracelet from my jewelry box for her later as compensation."

That was a big deal. Mrs. Ferguson's jewelry wasn't just expensive-it was the kind people fought over at auctions.

Dylan acted like he hadn't heard her, and just walked over to Clara, gently pulling her to her feet. "Are you upset?" he asked quietly.

Clara's voice was flat. She wasn't hiding her mood at all. "I want to go home."

She called Palm Bay home.

That alone meant more to Dylan than any sweet words. For a second, his face softened and he smiled, eyes bright. "Okay."

Mrs. Ferguson's expression darkened when she realized she was being ignored, but she held her tongue and told the maid, "Go get my jade bracelet from the jewelry box."

Jade was her favorite, and it was the one thing all the rich wives wanted. Sometimes, no matter how much money you had, you couldn't buy the really good pieces.

The rarest kind was glassy and pure green-nearly impossible to find. Mrs. Ferguson had collected a few of those million-dollar bracelets years ago, and now they were worth even more.

She'd never given one away before, and she hated the thought of giving one to Clara now. But she knew she had to-it was the only way Dylan would back down.

The bracelet was brought over quickly. Mrs. Ferguson took a deep breath, forced a smile, and walked up to Clara.

"Clara, you and Dylan are married

now. You can't act so impulsively. If you expect everyone who offends you to disappear, then one day, if you fall from grace, those same people will trample you. When you deal with others, you have to think long term."

She slipped the jade bracelet onto Clara's wrist as she spoke.

Her heart ached. How could she be giving such a beautiful bracelet to this girl?noveldrama

She glanced at Dylan, knowing he still resented her for the things she'd done

before. Whatever-what's done is done. Maybe she'd find an even better piece someday.

The rest of the Fergusons couldn't

hide their envy. They knew how rare and valuable that bracelet was. These days, jewelry and jade were all the page among the wealthy-especially that flawless, deep green kind, which money couldn't even buy.

The bracelet on Clara's wrist was the only perfect one ever cut from that famous mine-pure glassy jade, the highest quality. Back when Mrs. Ferguson was young, it was worth millions; now, probably twice as much.

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Clara, still a little childish, had thought about taking it off, but when she raised her

wrist and saw that vivid, glowing green, she couldn't help admiring it.

She didn't know much about jade, but she could tell it was beautiful-so clear and

bright.

Her smile gave everything away in an instant.

"Honey, I love it," she said, looking up at Dylan.

Dylan's heart melted, and a gentle smile tugged at his lips. "I'm glad."