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.

his son, who hadn't shed a single tear throughout the whole thing. Simon looked

had never gotten along, but she'd given everything she had

treated women like toys, keeping around whoever made

his? Somehow, Simon

going to visit your

plot himself. Simon hadn't lifted a finger

by his car and got in. "I

was furious, but he held it in. He'd have

Simon couldn't focus on anything. One address kept flashing through

had been buried here years

in her notebook, but why a

the child was

No way.

and Dylan fighting-Dylan had always treated Eden differently, and it was all

still care

was hiding about his child, it had to be

Suddenly, Simon

everyone assumed he was only visiting Shelly's grave That's why the

the gossip to hide

this go now. He was determined to bring

entrance. Everyone

even some

here were from powerful families or had

and Simon had never been

eyes kept drifting toward a narrow path that led up another hill.

and forced himself to walk that

in uniform stopped