Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 530

Clara froze for a few seconds, her mind blank. Panic took over and she snatched a vase from the cabinet, smashing it right over his head.

A rush of sweet plum blossom filled the air. The dried flowers she’d arranged so carefully scattered their petals everywhere, and the beautiful vase—one she’d picked out just for him—shattered to pieces against his skull.

But Clara had no idea the flowers were the ones she’d given him, or that the vase was expensive.

Pressed against the wall, she eyed him warily, her voice tight. “Are you clear-headed now?”

Dylan didn’t answer. He just felt something warm drip down his face.

He didn’t bother to touch it. Instead, his gaze drifted to her lips.

Her lips were swollen and bright red. There was even a spot of blood at the corner—his doing.

Clara felt a chill under the weight of his stare. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the Dylan she knew.

If Dylan used to be pure white, the man in front of her now was all shadow and contrast—dangerous, unpredictable.

If the old Dylan had manners and boundaries, she used to think she could handle him.

But right now, she felt like prey, dangled in front of a hungry lion.

She dropped her gaze and made a break for the door, but his voice stopped her. “I asked Aiden to get your household register. We’re getting our marriage certificate tomorrow morning.”

Clara froze, her hand locked around the doorknob.

She gripped it so tightly, her knuckles went white.

“Mr. Dylan, I told you—I have a boyfriend.”

“He doesn’t matter to you.”

Those same four words. Dismissive. Cold.

Clara took a shaky breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “That’s not true. I care about him. I’m just more rational than he is.”

Dylan let out a sharp laugh, eyes drifting to the vase shards at his feet. “You really don’t have a heart, do you?”

The words hit her like a punch.

She didn’t get it. Why did being calm have to mean being heartless? She just wanted the best for everyone, so she made the best choice.

Love didn’t have to mean dragging each other down.

She was tired of arguing. Without looking at him, she said, “If I leave the country, Walter will stop meddling in your marriage. I promise, I’ll never come back.”

But as soon as she finished, Dylan stepped right up to her, studying her face.

Clara tensed, turning her head away.