Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Since he was feeling so unwell, Clara just couldn't bring herself to push him away. She let him hold her, doing nothing to stop him.

It was the first time she'd ever seen Dylan looking so vulnerable. She'd always imagined him as this strong, untouchable person. But now, seeing him sick, she realized he needed comfort just like anyone else.

His body was like a furnace, radiating heat like a blazing fireball.

Clara's mind drifted to a few days ago when Z had been sick, alone in that dark, old house. Unlike Dylan, Z preferred to hide away when he was ill, nursing his wounds in solitude.

Dylan, on the other hand, didn't try to hide his vulnerability at all.

She wasn't sure if she was reading this right and dared not move a muscle.

Three hours later, the car finally stopped at their destination.

Clara looked out at the desolate ruins and felt a wave of irritation wash over her.

"Aiden, are you sure this is the place?"

"Yes."

Her chest tightened with frustration. "This place is just ruins. You can't even tell where the estate used to be, and it looks like it was on fire at some point. What are we supposed to find here? I thought there'd be a pharmacy nearby, but after driving for three hours, we're in the middle of nowhere. Are you trying to let Mr. Dylan die in the car?"

They hadn't seen a single house on the way here. Why come to a place that's nothing but a wreck?

And Dylan, why didn't he say anything about it sooner?

Clara was already on edge, and feeling the heat coming off him only made it worse.

What were they supposed to do? Drive three hours back?

She took a deep breath and rolled down the window. "Aiden, can you call for help? Get someone to come pick us up."

Aiden nodded calmly, took out his phone, and started walking away. "There's no signal, Ms. Clara. You and the boss stay here in the car. I'll find a spot with a signal. If I don't come back, just drive off. I'll find my own way back."

Clara was taken aback, thinking he must be joking.

How was he supposed to get back on his own?

But Aiden was already walking away.

She quickly rolled up the window to keep the warmth inside.

Sitting across from Dylan, she pulled out a bottle of water and gently patted his face. "Mr. Dylan, have some water."

Dylan opened his eyes, gave her a quick glance, then turned away, refusing to drink.

Clara pressed the bottle to his lips. "Your lips are cracked from the fever. Just a little to moisten them."

Dylan frowned and turned away again.

With no other option, Clara carefully poured some water into her palm and leaned in to moisten his lips with her fingertips.

The closeness, coupled with the touch of his lips, gave her the impression he was kissing her fingertips.

She looked up to find him staring at her, prompting her to pull back quickly.

This vulnerable Dylan was completely different from his usual distant self. His gaze was intense, almost cutting, making it hard to ignore.

Clara realized he was probably delirious from the fever, maybe mistaking her for someone else.

Who did he think she was?

A lost love from his past?noveldrama

But she couldn't blame someone who was delirious, so she quietly set the water bottle down, intending to get some fresh air outside.

Just as she turned, he caught her wrist. He didn't say anything, but every part of him seemed to beg her to stay.

"Mr. Dylan, you should rest. I'm just stepping out..."

Before she could finish, his hand slid from her wrist to intertwine their fingers.

The warmth spread, making the small space feel even more suffocating.

Clara instinctively tried to pull away, but he held her tight.

"Mr. Dylan, you've got the wrong person."

She spoke softly, yet didn't struggle further.

Truth be told, she didn't want anything bad to happen to Dylan.

With his eyes closed, Dylan suddenly pulled her closer.

Clara quickly placed a hand between them to stop herself from falling into his

arms.

She thought he might keep up his restless behavior, but instead, he just leaned his head against her shoulder.

Clara lowered her lashes as his raspy voice whispered in her ear, "Could you, just this once, let me be?"