Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The hospital room was dead silent for a whole minute.

Walter was the first to move. He gently helped Eden sit up, his voice tender and full of concern.

"Your forehead's bleeding, sweetheart. Why'd you have to be so reckless? Just look at Dylan's face."

Eden had rushed to Dylan's bedside on pure adrenaline, but now that everything was settling down, she finally looked at him.

But Dylan was still Dylan-sitting in his wheelchair, calm and unreadable, like nothing in the world could bother him.

Eden's heart clenched as she realized what she'd just done.

He'd told her once: as long as she behaved, he'd always protect her.

Had she just crossed a line?

She dropped her head, staring at her battered arms and legs. Tears welled in her eyes.

"Grandpa, I don't care. Please, you have to stand up for me!” Her voice cracked.

Walter helped her back onto the bed. Every inch of her body ached, but nothing hurt as much as her heart.

She loved Dylan-more than anyone. And now, things had gone so wrong.

All because he cared more about Clara.

Why? Why did he always choose Clara?

She bit her lip hard, tasting blood. "Dylan, you like Clara, don't you? Are you really that scared to admit it? If your feelings are that cheap, what's the point?"

Aiden snapped, "Ms. Eden!"

Eden's eyes were wild, her emotions spinning out of control.

"Am I wrong? Maybe Clara doesn't like you because you're too good at hiding how you feel! No one ever knows what's going on with you, so of course you lost her to my brother. If you'd told Clara how you felt, maybe you'd be together already! You're so awkward about love-you deserve it if she doesn't want you!"

As soon as she yelled, the whole world seemed to go quiet. She could hear her heartbeat thudding in her chest.

Her cheeks burned. She didn't dare look at Dylan.

Walter reached out and patted her head, gentle as ever.

"Eden, just focus on getting better."

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But Eden was stubborn. She still refused to look at Dylan. "Grandpa, you'll stand up for me, right? Look at my hands, my legs-how am I supposed to get married like this? My life is ruined. If you side with Clara too, I swear I'll jump out the window!"

Walter's voice stayed warm and reassuring.

"Don't worry. Dylan cares about you most. You'll get the answer you deserve."

It was a promise to her, but also a warning for Dylan. If he didn't do something, the Ferguson family would-and Clara would be the one to suffer.

A threat, and not a subtle one.

Even Eden caught on. She smiled, loud and dramatic. "Thank you, Dylan. Thank you, Grandpa."

She couldn't help sneaking a glance at Dylan.

But, just like she'd said, he was impossible to read.noveldrama

Walter came and went quickly, leaving the room with just Eden, Dylan, and a

couple of others. Eden lowered her lashes, bracing for Dylan to lose his temper. But all he said was,

"Are you satisfied now?"

That single question made her go cold inside.

He hadn't asked about her injuries, not once. All she got was this cold, distant question.

Her heart hurt more than her body. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks and she suddenly felt like she might break apart.

"No! I'm not satisfied! Dylan, what

are you going to do with me? Do you want me to die? I can't-not yet. Someone still needs me. If I die, what about the child? Who's going to comfort him? He needs me more than anyone!"

Dylan closed his eyes, his hands curling into fists on the arms of his wheelchair,

like he was fighting to hold something back.

Eden was desperate now, blood trickling from her bitten lips.

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"That's right, Dylan, you still need me. You won't let me die. So listen: as long as I'm alive, I'll keep making trouble for Clara. I don't believe you'd ever choose her over that child. Unless you want him to be miserable forever!"

She hadn't even finished before Dylan turned away and told Aiden, “Let's go.” Eden just stared, shocked. She'd expected him to say something-anything. She tried to get out of bed, but pain shot through her, leaving her too weak. "Dylan..."

He was already at the door, his voice cold and flat, not even looking back at her. "I'm not your Dylan. You were just someone we took in-don't you remember?"