Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Tonight, everyone in the Ferguson family was gathering at the old manor for dinner. The rule was simple: six o'clock sharp, no excuses, nobody could be late.

But when Simon eventually walked in late, no one really minded. He'd been busy with Ada's funeral arrangements, after all.

Dylan sat in the middle of the table, surrounded by relatives who were more interested in their own food than in conversation. Walter took his usual spot at the head. Mrs. Ferguson wasn't there. The moment she got home, she'd gone straight to the family chapel.

The Ferguson family chapel was huge, all the way at the back of the estate-a place everyone knew doubled as the spot for family discipline.

Walter turned to the maid at his side. "Go ask Mrs. Ferguson to come eat with us."

The maid kept her head down. "Mrs. Ferguson said it's been a while since she visited the chapel. She wants to spend some extra time praying.”

Both the elders were religious, but Mrs. Ferguson took it to another level.

Dinner was almost over by the time Simon showed up.

He paused for a second, his gaze lingering on Dylan, then took a seat at the far end of the table.

Walter's expression softened when he saw him. “I heard you laid your mother to rest at West Hill?"

Simon nodded, but his eyes drifted back to Dylan.

the same as ever: calm, unreadable, like nothing could get

smirked to himself. He didn't even touch his food, just turned to Walter and started talking. "I also went up the

the table exchanged confused looks.

there must have done something terrible, right? There were guards everywhere. I could barely get close before they

kept a low

Michael, was Simon's

the

when he spoke,

know? That

but his eyes kept flicking over to Dylan. "Seriously? Has it

that long? How come I've never

a military genius, but he betrayed everyone. They should've executed him, but the higher-ups wanted to keep him alive for his knowledge. So they locked him away and made sure he taught them everything

like that could change a nation's fate. No wonder they

let him go.

like this never made it to

at the table

for seventy years, the original prisoner must

"Eat your food. I've been retired a long time.

any say in