Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 109

Whenever Clara was around, she was automatically in the wrong. Just then, Simon walked in, sensing the charged atmosphere in the room. He quickly stepped forward to scoop Quinn into his arms.

"Clara, what’s going on?" he asked, concerned. He’d been worried Clara was losing interest in him, but now she’s confronting Quinn and almost went after their kid. It’s clear she was blinded by jealousy. Oddly enough, Simon felt a bit relieved.

"No matter how upset you are, you can't take it out on our child," he added.

Clara just stood there, looking at the family and feeling like she was speaking a different language. She hadn’t even said a word, and already they made her out to be the villain.

As she turned to leave, Naomi shouted, "Where are the guards?! Grab her. Ryan's right; she might be having a breakdown. Better lock her up!"

Ryan was caught off guard and quickly tried to backpedal. "Mom, I was just kidding." The more he talked, the quieter he got, until he ended up staring at his shoes.

Clara was taken by a few guards to the punishment room—a special place the Bradfords had set up for dealing with troublesome staff.

The room was bare, just a low bench too short to reach the window, and a door. Clara sat on the bench, surprisingly calm. Night fell, and she heard footsteps outside.

She called out hesitantly, "Ryan?"

Ryan felt uneasy, knowing Clara ended up here because of something he said. Everyone else was out for dinner. He faked being sick to stay behind and ended up at Clara’s door.

Clara had hit him a few times before and even sided with a stranger, which left him feeling hurt. Now, he heard her call his name and just stayed quiet on purpose.

Clara leaned against the door and knew her brother wasn’t as heartless as the rest of the Bradfords. He was just spoiled and unable to tell right from wrong.

"Even if you don’t answer, I can tell it’s you. You’re the nicest to me in this house," she said.