Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 578

"What are you doing?" Ada demanded, her voice tight with worry. "I heard all about it-Dylan and Clara are married now. Simon, you haven't been yourself lately. The way you look at me... honestly, it scares me. Maybe you can't let go of Clara yet, but if you just left Manhattan for a year or two, you could have any woman you want. Didn't your grandfather arrange for you to help run the Chicago branch as vice president?"

Simon's jaw clenched, anger flickering across his face. He leaned forward and snapped at the driver, "Pull over. Now."

The driver flinched, panic in his eyes. "Sir, we're on the highway-I can't just stop here."

Simon started to climb toward the front, but Ada grabbed his arm, holding him back with all her strength.

"Simon! Are you really going to fight Dylan for a woman? Do you honestly think you can win against him? What do you even have to compete with?"

Her words stung, cutting right through him. All his life, Simon-and every Ferguson kid—had lived in Dylan's shadow. Losing Clara to Dylan was already enough to make him hate his cousin. He never expected his own mother to tear him down like this.

Simon let out a bitter, twisted laugh. Without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed the steering wheel from the driver.

The car swerved violently. The driver screamed, "Mr. Simon! We're on the highway! We'll crash!"

Ada's face went white. She tried to pull Simon back, but she was no match for his strength.

The car shot off the bridge, plunging straight into the dark, cold water below.

Simon knew how to swim. He made it to the surface almost immediately, gasping for air, but the driver and Ada were trapped inside, struggling as the car started to sink.

urged him to save Ada-she was his mother, after all. But another, colder voice whispered, Let her

sinking car, frozen, then suddenly collapsed onto the ground, numb

people wanted to jump in and help, but the car sank too fast-it was

got there, the car had already vanished into the depths. The people inside were surely gone. Now,

move or say a word the entire time. Everyone nearby just assumed he was

family almost immediately. Word was, Simon had crashed on his way to the other city, and Ada had

family patriarch,

dd called Simon, instructiet

him

home and

Ada's funeral arrangements.

blankly out the

Walter spoke gently, their tone full of

Walter never wanted things to turn out like this. Don't blame him, Simon it was your father who

empty smile. Suddenly, he started

mirror, uneasy. He figured Simon was just

the Fergusons decided to hold a big, formal funeral for

stared up at the pitch-black sky, rubbing his tired face as if trying to wake himself

passing, they canceled Tara's welcome party and sent

up at Simon's place, finding him sitting there, silent and dazed. He let out a heavy