Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

There wasn't a single person outside the marriage office that morning.

It wasn't until the car pulled up in front of a quiet, out-of-the-way building at the back that Clara realized Dylan had set up the whole thing just for the two of them. No crowds. No witnesses. Just them.

Inside, a clerk was waiting. The man standing near the door looked like he might pass out from nerves, dabbing sweat off his forehead with a tissue.

Clara watched the clerk flip through her documents, and the words slipped out before she could stop herself.

"I'm not here by choice," she said flatly.

The clerk's hand froze above the stamp. For a heartbeat, it seemed like he'd heard her but then he just pretended nothing happened and kept going.

When it was time for their photo, she and Dylan were led into another room. The bodyguards in black suits stayed behind. The clerk wouldn't even meet her eyes.

As the camera turned their way, Clara tried again.

"Seriously, can't you see? I don't want to be here."

The clerk just smiled awkwardly, wiping his forehead even harder. "Please, look at the camera-both of you. Smile a little, the photo goes on your marriage certificate."

Clara couldn't have smiled if she tried. She just stared ahead, stone-faced.

What caught her off guard was Dylan. He actually smiled-a real one, or as close to it as she'd ever seen from him. For a second, she thought she was imagining things.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head. She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to ease it, but old memories tumbled through her mind.

"Can I marry you when I'm older?"

"Promise you'll wait for me."

"I'll like you forever."

The pain was so sharp she couldn't help but frown. Somewhere in the background, she heard the clerk urging, "Ms. Clara, please just a smile?"

She didn't even look at the camera, like she hadn't heard him at all.noveldrama

The clerk glanced nervously at Dylan, then hurried off to develop the photos, leaving them alone. Clara stayed put, waiting for the headache to pass. When she finally came back

to herself, she realized it back

just

her and Dylan left in the tiny room.

She glanced over at him, confused by the way he seemed so... happy. It was obvious, and she couldn't figure out why.

"Mr. Dylan the ceremony isn't over yet. You can still back out. You're a good person. I really don't want us to end up resenting each other and being miserable."

The smile on Dylan's face faded, lips pressing into a firm line.

Thinking she was getting through to him, Clara crouched so she could look him in the eye.

"You could be with someone who actually loves you. And Walter-he'd never want me to marry you. Are you really ready to deal with him if this goes through?"

Dylan looked up, his face unreadable. Then, before she could react, he reached out and pulled her toward him.

Her words were lost when he kissed her.

It was cold and stubborn and had a hint of something dark-like he was putting an end to the conversation, no room for argument.

Clara jerked back, stunned. She stared at him, barely able to stand. Her whole body felt weak.

It didn't make sense. Just days ago,

Dylan didn't seem interested in

romance at all. Now, he'd kissed her

twice without warning. She tried

comeup with reasons, anything to

calm herself down, but the more she

thought about it, the more her skin tingled with unease. She couldn't shake it.

In the end, the only explanation she could find was that losing Eden had made Dylan snap. Only someone who'd lost it could change this much, this fast.

She wiped her lips without thinking, catching a glimpse of the clerk coming back, holding out two small red booklets for Dylan.

Clara couldn't bring herself to move. She just stood there, as far from Dylan as possible, like being any closer meant putting herself in danger.