Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Mrs. Ferguson was the last to step up to Walter. He looked so much older than her-lined face, tired eyes. They exchanged a quick look, nodded, and that was it. No words, no emotion. It was almost like they were strangers.

No one else said much either. Some people paid their respects in silence, others offered Simon a few quiet words of comfort. The whole thing dragged on for hours -four, maybe five-before someone finally suggested they all head to the old house for dinner that night.

Tara had stayed close to Mrs. Ferguson the whole time. When she heard the dinner plans, she leaned in and whispered, "Mrs. Ferguson, do you mind if I go talk to Dylan for a bit?"

Mrs. Ferguson smiled and gave her hand a gentle pat. "Of course, dear. Go on."

All eyes followed Tara as she walked toward Dylan. Simon, watching from the sidelines, wore a look that was half mocking, half smug. Everyone knew why Tara was here. Grandma brought her along as a not-so-subtle message: as far as Mrs. Ferguson was concerned, Tara was the only woman worthy of being Dylan's wife. Clara? Marriage certificates? Didn't mean a thing.

In the Ferguson family, Dylan was never one to listen to Walter. The only person he ever really listened to was Mrs. Ferguson.

Tara wore a simple black dress, handmade by the same artisan who'd crafted Mrs. Ferguson's outfit. She stopped in front of Dylan, her posture calm and open, and held out her hand.

"Long time no see," she said.

Dylan didn't even look up, didn't reach for her hand. Just a quiet, "Mm."

Tara didn't miss a beat. "Maybe we could have dinner sometime? I haven't seen Nicholas and the others in ages."

He just gave another noncommittal, "Mm."

traditionally beautiful-no softness or dramatic features—but she had a confidence and warmth about her that made people feel she belonged anywhere. The kind of woman the older generation loved: steady, poised, like she could hold

kind of beauty that filled a room, made

my adventures abroad. Got a lot of stories to share," she said, her

about to motion for Aiden to wheel him away. But just then, Tara stepped a little closer and

asked, soft but sincere. "Any

second, then

eyes were full of concern. "Last time I saw

off, voice

quiet sigh of relief, smiling more genuinely now. "Good. You really scared me

back to Mrs. Ferguson, who gave her

the manor

Everyone knew Mrs. Ferguson had rushed

as quickly as she'd arrived, Mrs. Ferguson was gone again. Walter went with her, Tara too. Being in the same ear as both of them said everything about Tara's position in the family-no

family's attention shifted to Dylan. Someone looked like they wanted

with a shake of

knew

attention, especially from his

so-called social network