Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 283

Clara had initially thought Quinn was the one who set the fire, but seeing the state Quinn was in now, it was clear she wouldn't be getting any answers from him. After Quinn was sent to a mental hospital, Clara found herself sitting on a bench outside, feeling completely drained.

Even though she was exhausted, there was still Johnny's funeral to arrange. With Naomi in the hospital and Ryan needing time to find his footing, it was up to Clara to handle everything. Over the next week, she carefully planned Johnny's funeral down to the last detail.

On the day of the funeral, the sky poured with rain. Clara, dressed in black, noticed Ryan had stopped crying. He seemed to have found a bit of inner strength. She walked over, gently patting his shoulder in support. Ryan pursed his lips, turning his head to hide the tears that threatened to spill.

Clara hadn't had a decent break in a long time. Glancing around at the crowd, she realized Naomi was nowhere to be seen. On such an important day, why wasn't Naomi there? Just as she was about to give Naomi a call, Ryan stopped her.

"Mom said she's decided to become a nun."

With her husband gone and her daughter in a mental hospital, and with years of tension between her and Clara, she chose solitude over reconciliation. Clara understood and respected her decision. Over the week, she had liquidated all of the Bradford family's assets—she bought Ryan a house and put the rest into a savings account.

As Clara and Ryan made their way down the hill, Clara suddenly lost her footing and slipped. Ryan, alarmed, reached out instinctively.

"Clara!"