Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

As she was being shown out, she couldn't help but ask, "What's up with Mr. Dylan?"

"Nothing major, just a bit stressed and hasn't been sleeping well," came the reply.

She took a few steps, then paused, "Is it that insomnia again? I can stay overnight and leave in the morning if needed."

Aiden, standing by the car, sighed deeply and said, "Ms. Clara, take care and enjoy your holiday." It was a gentle way of saying no.

Once in the car, Clara didn't head home. Instead, she found herself at the entrance to Ryan's hospital room. Her mind was racing, trying to figure out Dylan's intentions, and it left her feeling restless.

That restlessness only grew when she saw Ryan, sitting silently. He was awake, his fever gone, yet he hadn't called her. Instead, he was quietly eating the soup Sarah was feeding him.

Clara had a million questions but felt suddenly powerless. Standing by his bed, she finally managed, "Glad you're okay."noveldrama

Ryan didn't meet her eyes, just stared out the window. "Yeah."

Sarah, looking smug, continued feeding him another spoonful. "Ryan, if you want anything else, just say the word. I'll get it made for you."

Ryan's eyelashes lowered, his lips dry from just waking up a few minutes ago. Clara couldn't watch anymore, so she turned and left.

She sat on a bench outside the hospital for a long time, then remembered Eli and decided to call him. Unexpectedly, Eli's voice was weak, like he was hurt.

"Eli, what's going on?"

Eli hissed, sounding annoyed, "Just a little injury, it's nothing."

Clara, lost in her own thoughts, asked a few questions before hanging up. That's when she heard footsteps nearby.

It was someone she hadn't seen in ages, holding a bag of medicine.

"Justin?"

Seeing him, the future of the Bradford Group, Clara felt a bit better and made room for him to sit down.

"Are you sick? Why all the medicine?"

Justin, every inch the college student, juggled the bag, "Just stocking up on cold meds."

They sat together, and Clara asked about his studies. He smiled, "Just got back from a seminar abroad with my professor. Don't worry, your investment's safe."

He was always so confident about his studies. Clara smiled, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat, "Great. If you need anything, let me know. Aren't you heading home for the holidays?"

"Staying at school to work on a couple of experiments."

Clara almost suggested having dinner together on New Year's Eve but remembered she'd already promised to dine with Z.

Unbeknownst to her, upstairs, Ryan stood by the window, watching with a dark expression. Sarah, ever the instigator, continued her snide remarks, "That's him. Clara's met him loads of times and always seems so invested. Ryan, told you, Clara's just after the Bradford fortune. Otherwise, why would you have received that message and gone so far, almost not making it back?"

The mysterious message from a stranger still puzzled him. He gripped the curtain,

hearing Sarah continue to console him.

"For now, focus on getting better. I'll take care of everything else."