Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 755

The old lady sat up front, watching the city lights slip by, her sigh barely audible over the hum of the car.

“New York’s changed so much. The Ferguson Corporation, too,” she said softly.

Clara didn’t answer that. Instead, she asked, “And if Tara won’t let go?”

“She’s always listened since she was little. Come on, let’s pick her up. We’ll go together.”

Clara shot her a look. Someone who could leak those kinds of photos—could she really just walk away that easily? Maybe she’d underestimated what people were capable of.

They picked Tara up at six, just as the sun was going down. Tara slid into the back seat, her eyes landing right on Clara behind the wheel. No matter how much Tara might hate her, she didn’t show it. She just asked, “Ma’am, are we heading to the temple now?”

The old lady nodded. “Sorry to trouble you both. Tara, I have something I want to discuss with you, too.”

Tara’s face was all calm respect, not a hint of emotion. “I know. We can talk when we get there.”

Clara glimpsed Tara’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Their gazes met, both of them unreadable.

Halfway up the mountain, Clara’s phone rang. Dylan.

She answered. “When are you coming home?” he asked.

“I’ll be late tonight. Did you remember to eat?”

Hearing her worry for him right off the bat, Dylan’s lips twitched in a faint smile. “Yeah.”

“I’ll be back before nine. Just go ahead and have dinner, okay?”

He already knew about the mess at Ferguson Corporation. Still, her voice warmed him right through. “Come home soon, then.”

Clara felt her cheeks heat up, especially with the other two in the car. She just murmured, “Okay,” and hung up.

They met a monk at the top, who quietly greeted them. The old lady nodded, then turned to Clara. “I’ve already spoken with the master. Tonight, I’d like us to offer incense together. Clara, could you do the honors?”

Clara nodded and stepped forward, lighting a stick of incense. Tara knelt beside her, the old lady in the center. The old lady pressed her palms together, bowing her head. Clara and Tara mirrored her.

After a moment, the old lady took a deep breath. “Clara, I want you to swear before Buddha that you’ll never hurt Dylan.”

Clara froze, caught off guard. She clutched the incense, unsure. “Ma’am, what do you mean by ‘hurt’?”

The old lady’s tone softened. “No matter what happens, promise me you’ll treat Dylan well. He really loves you. I believe you’ll feel it, if you let yourself. If there are ever misunderstandings, remember what I’m telling you now—be good to him. He isn’t great with words, always keeps things bottled up. I can’t always read him, but I just want him to be happy, at least a little.”

Clara squeezed the incense between her fingers. The promise didn’t seem unreasonable. She closed her eyes and nodded.

“I promise.”