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.

hated what he was turning into a man with a cursed fate, bringing nothing but trouble to everyone

broke out on his brow as he walked into the master bedroom. The place was spotless. Even the knife had been cleaned

hand, almost able to see

been buried deep inside him once.

though, he'd seen a pain deeper than

heartless, not really. She just hadn't realized

true. But thinking that way was the only thing that kept

was so much

him and Clara.

he really was. If

out, she'd only stab deeper next

That's all he could

whether he

set the knife down

again. Just then, someone

the hallway, "Mr.

here."

QUMS

reply and headed to the

still holding an apple he'd grabbed

are looking for a woman. Don't

fast; it had only been an hour, and already the whole city seemed to