Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

She was clearly annoyed, but Dylan just looked at her, a small, almost teasing smile tugging at his lips.

Clara couldn't help but notice he seemed off today-something must have happened to put him in such a mood, and now he was taking it out on her in his own playful way.

What on earth had happened to him?

She took a breath, forcing herself to calm down. Reaching out, she grabbed his wrist and moved his hand away.

He didn't resist; he just let her do it, his touch loosening until he let go completely.

The candy he'd given her had already melted on her tongue, its sweetness lingering in her mouth-just like his worries, dissolving little by little.

Without another word, Dylan turned and walked toward the main house.

Clara didn't follow. She touched her lips, still tasting that unexpected sweetness, and glanced at the table where a few more candies sat, still in their wrappers.

What kind of candy was that, anyway? It was actually really good.

Dylan entered the main house. In his study, he just stared at his fingers, lost in thought.

Aiden came in, dropping a stack of files onto Dylan's desk. "Mr. Ferguson, these are the reports you need to review this afternoon. Dinner at the old manor is at six sharp."

Dylan didn't even look up. He kept staring at his hand, completely out of it.

Aiden just sighed.

*

Ada's funeral was over almost as quickly as it began. Once the last of the Fergusons left, Simon ordered the ashes to be taken away.

thing. Simon looked

gotten along, but she'd given everything she had

saint-he'd always treated women like toys, keeping

his? Somehow, Simon

to visit your mother's

himself. Simon hadn't lifted a finger

stood by his car and got in. "I have things to take

in. He'd have to rely on Simon in the future, after

anything. One address kept

heading out to a cemetery on the outskirts of the city. Shelly had been buried here years ago—this was the most exclusive cemetery in the whole Capital. Normal people

written this address in her notebook,

the child was already

No way.

treated Eden differently, and it was all because of that

was gone, why would Dylan still care so much? There had to

hiding about his

Suddenly, Simon

years, but everyone assumed he was only visiting Shelly's grave That's why the rumors about him never getting over Shelly wouldn't die, and Dylan never bothered to clear

using the gossip to hide a

let this go now. He was determined to bring Dylan down,

entrance. Everyone coming and going

elite; even some big-name

from powerful families or had some

tombs, and Simon had never been over there. People said it was under military control, no outsiders

for someone, but his eyes kept drifting toward a narrow path that led up another hill. Even from a distance, it looked

lips together and forced himself to walk that way,

in uniform stopped