Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

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.

On his way downstairs, Dylan paused by the big picture window. Outside, he spotted the tree Clara had planted.

He stopped, just for a second, almost able to see her standing there, grinning at him. "Babe, do you think this is a good spot?"

Aiden was waiting for him by the door. When he saw Dylan stop, he spoke up, "Sir, everyone's waiting for you."

Today the whole Ferguson family was heading to the ancestral hall, incense and all. It was a complicated ritual, and only Dylan could lead it. If he didn't show, the whole birthday celebration would fall apart before it even started.

He just nodded and got into the car.

Aiden hesitated, eyeing the wheelchair. "Things are pretty complicated overseas. And we still don't know what the Chesters are up to. Maybe... you should use the wheelchair today?"

People abroad were probably already guessing why the Chesters had come all this way for the party. Some of the elders had even called Walter to remind him to stay alert.

The Fergusons were the strongest branch of the family in North America, with a legendary heir and years ago, they'd even lost a son for the cause. No wonder Walter was under so much scrutiny.

At this level, it wasn't about money anymore.

Everyone had their own hang-ups. For the old man, it was wanting his own son to take the lead someday.

Dylan walked toward the foyer. With nothing tying him down here anymore,

maybe it was time to go overseas.

But just as he reached the door, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from her.

Just a single dot.

Nothing else.

He went

bet

wheelchair, staring at the staring at the message. that period mean? Was it

Wck and sat down in the

goodbye? Was it the end?

He thought about it a hundred different ways, but none of them made sense.

He'd never really understood what was on her mind.

At the Ferguson manor, he stood at

the front, leading the younger generation as they paid their respects in the ancestral hall. The smell of incense was

everywhere-stronger than ever.

Dylan bowed in front of the old family altar. The patriarch turned to him.

“The Chesters are coming this time. Maybe it's time you thought about going overseas. They're all waiting for you."

A long silence passed. Dylan just stood there, holding the incense, lost in thought.

The old man sighed. "Dylan?"noveldrama

Dylan finally looked up and placed the incense in the burner. “We'll see."

Same answer as always.