Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 580

People moved quietly into the house as more cars pulled up outside-by now, there had to be almost twenty parked along the drive.

Walter stood at the front, solemn and tall, as the younger family members stepped forward one by one to offer incense and bow their heads.

A few monks, brought in just for the ceremony, sat cross-legged on woven mats, chanting softly. The whole mansion was filled with the sweet, heavy scent of sandalwood.

It had been years since the Fergusons held a funeral like this. Not even when Lincoln passed did it feel this formal, this crowded.

Dylan kept his eyes lowered, breathing in the incense. He found himself thinking of his mother, who'd left the city a long time ago-maybe she was already on her way back.

Ada had started as the other woman, but she'd always managed to get along with Mrs. Ferguson. Coming from a family that favored boys, Ada had learned early how to win over the older generation.

That was why she could stand in front of Walter, sobbing about Michael's affairs, and not get blamed for it.

Back then, if Mrs. Ferguson felt even a little unwell, Ada was always the first to show up at the old house to check on her. Even if people gossiped, saying she acted like a servant, Ada just smiled and never argued.

She understood how these families worked-always humble with her elders, but when it came to anyone she looked down on, like Clara, she could be impossibly proud.

The house hadn't been this full since Ada and Michael got married.

Just as the younger ones finished offering incense, hushed whispers broke out near the door.

"Mrs. Ferguson is back!"

"Grandma's home."

it. They'd heard Mrs. Ferguson wouldn't be back for at least

Everyone turned to look.

young woman came in, carefully supporting Mrs. Ferguson as they

than Walter, still looked sharp and full of energy. She let go of the younger woman's arm, her clothes beautifully stitched

and her traditional outfit gave her an old-fashioned elegance-she looked every bit

as he dropped

else dared to

Mrs. Ferguson left ten years ago, she'd cut

younger kids barely

few sticks of incense, then turned to the crowd, her eyes

you paid your

before he shuffled forward and lit

to the monks' chanting as it echoed through the house. She sighed. "I never thought she'd leave us so

Mrs. Ferguson liked Ada,

this city, nobody red Ada. If it weren't for

family's influence, meet

wouldn't have even talked to

care about someone

felt embarrassed

in Mrs. Ferguson's eyes, the way she sighed at Ada's portrait, was

For the first time, he realized how little he actually knew about his own

chanting and the soft thud of the wooden fish echoed through the room,

Ferguson was Tara

Everyone knew Mrs. Ferguson