Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 842

His hand froze on the fork. He didn’t say a word.

Clara reached over, her palm gently covering his, right where he’d hurt himself. “You’re still upset about those two words, aren’t you? Okay, I promise—I won’t mention them again.”

He looked up at her, eyes searching her face, like he wasn’t sure he could believe her.

Honestly, Clara didn’t get why he was so sensitive about it. Her handwriting was a mess; nobody would’ve figured out the words meant “mentor.” She only recognized them because she’d been called that before. Otherwise, she’d never have guessed. So, did Dylan really figure it out? And was he that certain?

Her head started to ache, thoughts swirling, her expression flickering for just a second.

But she softened her voice. “I won’t bring it up anymore, but you shouldn’t dwell on it either. Just focus on eating and getting stronger, okay? And if you ever try something like that again—seriously, I’ll be mad this time.”

Being mad meant she cared.

He knew that. That’s probably why he went to such extremes. If she truly didn’t care, she would’ve just walked out and left him behind.

He dropped his gaze, about to start eating again, when she added, “I have to head out later, just for a bit. Meeting a friend. You stay home and rest, all right?”

As soon as she said it, she remembered what Aiden had warned her: Don’t leave Dylan alone—take him with you, or he’ll get lost in his own head.

She pressed her lips together. But she was meeting Kaitlyn, and it wouldn’t be right to bring someone else along.

After dinner, she reminded him again, “Don’t look at any files while you’re home, okay? Go sit on the couch, play some games, read a comic. Just relax.”

She was at the door, changing her shoes, when Dylan suddenly asked, “Can’t I come with you?”

Her heart squeezed, sharp and sudden.

Dylan always felt like some abandoned stray, always bracing for the moment someone might leave him behind. He never made a scene; he just hurt himself in these quiet, desperate ways.

Clara took a steadying breath. “I’ll be back in two hours. Promise.”

He didn’t say anything else.

Even when she got in her car, Clara couldn’t shake the worry. She pulled the housekeeper aside, quietly asking her to keep a close eye on Dylan, just in case.

Only after making sure everything was set did she finally head out to meet Kaitlyn at the studio.

Clara glanced out the window, thinking of how Dylan had been lately. Maybe he didn’t realize it, but he was getting worse.

Maybe Kaitlyn was right. Maybe it was time to go looking for those memories.

“Clara…” Kaitlyn started, then asked, “Aren’t you exhausted, being with someone like him? Just hearing about it makes me tired.”

Having a partner keep that many secrets—especially secrets probably about you—would break anyone down. But Clara never seemed angry at Dylan. She only worried about him.

Clara leaned back, taking a bite of dessert. It was better than she expected.

“Where’s this from?” she asked.

She made a mental note to bring some home for Dylan later.

Kaitlyn caught the look on her face and grinned. “You two really are something else. One willing to give, the other willing to take. A perfect match.”

A weird relationship, sure. But if you looked closely, every bit of it was real.