Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Aaron looked like he'd lost ten pounds in a week-bones sharper, eyes sunken- as he perched on the edge of Simon's bed. "Told you, didn't I? Ryan cares about Clara. There's no way he'd swallow your story whole. But after what you put yourself through, even if he only believes a fraction, that's enough. Your injuries are real, after all."

Simon had nearly thrown his life away on purpose this time, all to frame Dylan and fan the flames of Ryan's jealousy just so Ryan would start to believe Dylan was the kind of guy who'd do anything to get what he wanted.

Simon coughed, the sound raw, and shot his cousin a frosty look.

"Man, it's only been a few days and you look like hell. You sure you're still alive?"

Aaron's fists tightened in his lap, knuckles going white. Dylan's name was like a splinter under his skin-he needed to do something, anything, to get him out.

"Yeah, well, remember when I said I'd help? I started digging, and you're not going to believe this. Turns out Clara's never seen her boyfriend's face. Not once. Every time they meet, it's in the dark. That mansion you told me about? From outside, you can't see a thing. I'm sending someone in tonight to snoop around. Maybe we'll finally find something useful."

Simon frowned, trying to wrap his head around it.

Never seen his face? How's that even a relationship?

He wanted to call Aaron out on his nonsense, but then he remembered that creepy old house. It didn't exactly scream 'normal couple'.

Clara had fooled him—and everyone else in their crowd-for years, making them all think she was obsessed with him. If she could pull that off, maybe falling for a guy she'd never even seen wasn't so crazy after all. With Clara, nothing was ever as it seemed.

She was never the girl he thought he knew. He'd just been stupid enough to think he had her all figured out.

That arrogance was what got him here, bruised and humiliated.

Excitement rushed to his face, making his wounds sting and sending him into another coughing fit.noveldrama

Aaron got up and moved to the window, his voice cold and sharp.

"Look at us-setting the world on fire-while Dylan sits there all calm, like nothing touches him. He's

always been like that, acting like net

everyone else is beneath him. I've dreamed of watching him crash, and now's my chance. He's got a thing for Clara, right? Fine. I'm going to make her hate him-hate him so much she can't even say his name."

He let out a low, bitter laugh and slammed his fist into the wall.

"Simon, didn't you get Tara on board? Soon we'll be ready. And you better get Ryan involved, too. The more people against Dylan, the more he'll hurt. He loves Clara, but nobody wants them together. That kind of love-when you want someone and can't have them? It'll drive him crazy. The crazier he gets, the more Granddad will regret picking him. That's our shot."

Simon listened, matching Aaron's twisted enthusiasm with a laugh of his own.

Meanwhile, after leaving, Ryan couldn't help himself he called Clara.

She was out cold, her voice sleepy and muffled.

She was using the innkeeper's phone, not even her own number.

"Ryan? What's going on?"

"Clara, Simon got hurt tonight. It was bad. He's saying Dylan did it, and now Dylan's after your boyfriend. I don't know what's true anymore-Simon's acting weird. Honestly, I can't stand the guy."

Clara jolted upright, suddenly wide awake. Dylan was after Z?

Was it because she'd left?

But Dylan had been so quiet lately, she'd almost convinced herself he was busy planning his wedding with Tara.