Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 416

Chapter 416

Clara took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before she finally said, "Naomi." Even now, she couldn't

bring herself to call her "Mom."

Naomi tensed up, her face seeming to age a decade in the blink of an eye. She hadn't chere to blClara.

Her feelings toward her were complicated. There was a twhen she wished Clara would just vanish from the

Bradford family, but so much had happened that she'd long since changed her perspective.

Spending tin solitude, reflecting on everything, Naomi realized just how wrong she'd been. Now, facing Clara

felt incredibly daunting.

But she couldn't ignore this child. Naomi sat down slowly, looking frail. "This is the Bradford family's first child,

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after all. Let's keep it. It's not like we're hurting for money. | even have ssavings tucked away, just in case..."

Before she could finish, Clara cut in, "Sarah went after Ryan on purpose. Even so, should we really keep the

child? Naomi, Ryan, letbe clear. If you both want to keep this child, | can go along with it. But if Sarah ever

steps out of line with me, | won't just stand by."

Sarah's gwas clear-she wanted to use the baby to get a hold over Clara.

Ryan quickly raised his hand in a solemn vow, "Clara, | promise, | won't let this child cause you any trouble.

Please, trustjust this once more. You're the most important person to me. If | ever go back on this promise,

I'll never forgive myself."

He knelt on the floor, moving closer to Clara, gently wrapping his arms around her legs. "Clara, | know I've put

you through so much, and | never meant to. | wish | could slow down tso | could becstronger and handle

this better."

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he spoke. "If | force Sarah to end the pregnancy, | won't be able to face my

father. He taughtthat responsibility to women is paramount, and it's the one lesson that stuck. Clara, please

believethis time. I'll keep Sarah from causing you any trouble."

Sarah wanted to argue but held her tongue. As long as Clara let her have the baby, Sarah felt sure she could

control the family.

She smirked to herself, thinking that once she had the child, she'd becthe most influential person in the

household, and even Clara would have to show her respect.

Naomi couldn't bear seeing Ryan like this, but she was too afraid to say anything. She didn't even look at Clara.

Clara didn't hurry with her answer, waiting for Naomi to give her promise. It felt like a tug-of-war.

Finally, Naomi sighed, "I promise you too, if Sarah or the child ever makes you uncomfortable, do what you need

to do. | won't interfere. Clara, I'm getting older, and | just can't be so heartless anymore."

Clara took a long, deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. After a few minutes, she said, "You can get up

now."

Ryan quickly wiped his tears, jumped to his feet, and hugged her tightly. "Clara, thank you, truly. You'll always be

the most important person to me."

Clara pulled a tissue from her bag, looking at the genuine expression on his face. She realized she hadn't

handled things with Ryan well and needed to own up to that.

Ryan took the tissue, wiping his face with a half-smile. "Clara, it's a deal then. On my twentieth birthday, come

pickup, and we'll go meet your boyfriend together, okay?"