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.

himself up onto the muddy riverbank, his mind spinning and unfocused. A voice in his head urged him to save Ada-she was his mother, after all. But another,

car, frozen, then suddenly collapsed onto the ground, numb and motionless, like someone had

jump in and help, but the car

meters, connecting Manhattan to the next city. Rescue teams arrived quickly, but by the time divers got there, the car had already

or say a word the entire time. Everyone nearby just assumed he was in shock, too devastated

Word was, Simon had crashed on his way to the

the family patriarch,

dd called Simon, instructiet

him

and

Ada's funeral arrangements.

Simon just stared blankly out the

Walter spoke gently, their tone

father who first suggested you go to the other city probably just didn't want you causing trouble

strange, empty smile. Suddenly, he started to laugh, low and

mirror, uneasy. He figured Simon

abrupt that the Fergusons decided to hold a

pitch-black sky, rubbing his tired face as if trying to

canceled Tara's welcome party and sent people over to offer their

finding him sitting there, silent and