Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 701

Dylan took a long, hot shower, standing under the spray until his skin prickled. When he finally looked up, his reflection in the mirror looked rough-tired eyes, messy hair. He let his lashes fall, trying not to think too much.

He stepped out of the bathroom, and immediately, her scent hit him-sharp and unmistakable, like a thousand tiny needles. There was nowhere to hide from it.

The two red marriage certificates were still lying out on the pillow, not tucked away in the drawer where they belonged.

He walked over quickly, grabbed them, and shoved them into the nightstand drawer, out of sight.

His eyes dropped to his hand. The wedding ring was still there on his finger, the one he had given her so openly, so proudly. She'd never worn hers.

He stared at the ring for a long time, lashes trembling. He tried to pull it off-really tried—but it wouldn't come off. It felt stuck, or maybe he just couldn't let go.

He sat on the edge of the bed, silent, turning things over in his head. Did he even want to take it off? Wasn't he just fooling himself?

He stayed that way until morning. The rain outside finally stopped. Someone from the old house called, asking him to come over.

The entire Ferguson family would be busy today, running around from morning until night.

Dylan changed into a fresh set of clothes. Before leaving the master bedroom, he glanced at the ring on his finger. He didn't take it off.

The Fergusons had a special place in Country Z. Ordinary people never saw this kind of family celebration-media coverage was out of the question. News was for celebrities; real power kept to the shadows, unless someone in government made a mistake.

downstairs, Dylan paused by the big picture window. Outside, he spotted the tree Clara

to see her standing there, grinning at him. "Babe, do you think this is

door. When he saw

Ferguson family was heading to the ancestral hall, incense and all. It was a complicated ritual, and only Dylan could lead it.

and got

hesitated, eyeing the wheelchair. "Things are pretty complicated overseas. And we still don't know

guessing why the Chesters had come all this way for the party. Some of the elders had even called

the family in North America, with a legendary heir and years ago, they'd even lost

it wasn't

had their own hang-ups. For the old man, it was wanting

the foyer. With nothing tying him down

it was time to go

reached the

a

Just a single dot.

Nothing else.

He went

bet

staring at the message.

sat down