Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Tara had spent years tiptoeing around Mrs. Ferguson, always thinking that as long as Mrs. Ferguson was on her side—and as long as Dylan stayed single—her chance would come eventually.

She'd never imagined Mrs. Ferguson would cave so quickly, all because Dylan so much as hinted at a threat.

Clutching her phone, Tara kept her tone soft and sweet. "Mrs. Ferguson, I understand. Let's just let this go for now. Honestly, I care about Dylan's health even more than you do, and I'll always love him. If Clara ever hurts him, I won't just sit back and watch. Like you said, I can't just stand by and watch him suffer. There's nothing I want more than for Dylan to be happy, but I need a little time to get my head straight. I'll let you go for now. Please take care of yourself, Mrs. Ferguson."

Her words were careful-every line perfectly placed, every emotion sincere. Mrs. Ferguson was clearly moved.

Why couldn't Dylan have chosen Tara? Life was just too cruel sometimes.

*

When Dylan got back to Palm Bay, a man dressed in black stepped out of the shadows, head lowered, voice rough.

"Mrs. Ferguson threatened to end her life, I..."

"I told you-she's the one you're supposed to protect."

"I..." The man seemed lost, unable to defend himself, just standing there silently.

Dylan pressed his fingers to his forehead, looking even paler than usual. "Let her come back in her own time."

The man nodded and slipped away.

Dylan coughed, climbed the stairs, every step a fight against the pounding pain in his head. His thoughts were a mess, anger and self-loathing swirling just beneath the surface, barely under control.

a cursed fate, bringing nothing but trouble

walked into the master bedroom. The place was spotless. Even the knife had been cleaned and carefully

over in his hand, almost able

once.

her eyes, though, he'd seen a pain deeper

heartless, not really. She just hadn't realized it

But thinking that way was the

was so

and

who he really was. If

only

all he could ever

fate, whether he chose to

set the knife

again. Just then, someone

"Mr.

here."

QUMS

grunted in reply and

an apple he'd grabbed from the coffee table

for a woman. Don't tell

seemed to know. Just to be safe, Richard had come