Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

On one side, Clara seemed perfectly fine, but Ryan, standing next to her, looked like he'd just had a scare.

"Clara, let me grab you some clothes. Go take a shower and get rid of that gasoline smell," he suggested.noveldrama

Clara nodded, heading into the villa. As she stepped into the living room, she locked eyes with Sarah.

Sarah smirked, raising an eyebrow as she scoffed, "Serves you right. Looks like you've made quite a few enemies. Everyone seems to be after you."

Ryan walked in just in time to catch the tail end of her comment. His expression darkened instantly. "Sarah."

Sarah knew how protective Ryan was over Clara right now. She gave a casual shrug, "Chill, I was just kidding. I care about my sister too, you know? Go on, take your shower. I'll lend her some of my clothes, alright?"

Ryan turned away, dialing Cole to bring over some of Clara's clothes instead. He hung up, clearly still in a foul mood.

By then, Clara had gone upstairs, leaving Ryan and Sarah alone in the living room.

"No need for your clothes. I doubt Clara would appreciate it. She's not your biggest fan, so maybe keep your thoughts to yourself around her, especially comments like that," Ryan said.

Sarah's face flushed with humiliation, alternating between red and white. She'd become accustomed to being treated like the lady of the house, expecting everyone to cater to her whims. But Ryan's words reminded her of her past as a karaoke bar girl. Even if she ended up marrying Ryan, Clara would always come first for him.

That only fueled Sarah's resentment. Clara had to be out of the picture!

Upstairs, Clara finished her shower and stepped out, wrapped only in a towel. Today had already been exhausting, and the recent events only drained her further.

Ryan tapped on her bedroom door. "Clara, I'll crack the door open and pass the clothes in."

Just as Clara was about to respond, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, leaving her face pale.

Ryan, not hearing an answer, knocked again, more urgently this time. "Clara?"

Under the covers, Clara curled up, instinctively pulling her knees to her chest. "Ryan..."

Her voice was weak, and she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Ryan pushed the door open, concerned. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Clara kept her eyes shut. "It's my period."

Her lips turned white, the pain in her lower abdomen so intense, she feared she might pass out.

Ryan immediately started rummaging through the drawers for painkillers.

Sarah, watching his frantic search, was puzzled. "What's the rush? Is your sister hurt?"

"Yeah, her periods are always painful," he replied.

Sarah's irritation was palpable. "How do you even know that?"

"She's my sister. Of course, I know. We always had painkillers at home for her," he said, hands slightly trembling as he finally found the pills and headed upstairs.

Sarah, feeling petty, suspected Clara was faking it, thinking she was just trying to make a point after being provoked. To Sarah, it was clear: Ryan's top priority would always be Clara, no matter what.