Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Mrs. Ferguson stared at the angry red mark on his cheek, but all Dylan seemed to care about was Clara. Her eyes grew even colder.

Clara can't stay here—not for another minute.

She pressed her lips together and said, "Since she's here, let her come with us. Maybe a little time at the monastery will calm her down. What kind of girl hits a man like that? If people hear about it, we'll be a laughingstock. Dylan, in this family, it's the men who should have the final say."

Dylan pressed an ice pack to his cheek, his voice soft and steady. "I like her the way she is. She doesn't need to change.'

Mrs. Ferguson felt a wave of irritation crawl up her spine. She'd met with Simon recently, and he'd shared a few stories about Clara. She hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now she was certain-Dylan must be under some spell.

Fine. Let's see what a few days at the monastery will reveal. If Clara's hiding anything, it'll come out there.

She didn't say anything else, just turned to Tara. "Tara, let's go."

Tara nodded and stepped over to Dylan, reaching out as if to take the ice from him and help. He shifted away, dodging her touch.

She didn't seem to mind. "When the ice melts, get a new one. It's still cold out- don't catch a chill."

Mrs. Ferguson felt a sudden warmth in her heart. Tara was always so considerate, always thinking of others. She really was the perfect child.

They all got into the car. As Dylan was about to climb in, he glanced up at the windows on the second floor.

No sign of movement. He lowered his eyes and told the housekeeper quietly, "Wake her at seven. Don't let her sleep the whole day."

The housekeeper nodded from the doorstep.

After the car pulled away, Palm Bay was silent again.

Clara lay awake, her heart pounding so hard she could barely breathe. Every time

she closed her eyes, all she could see was Dylan's face.

If this was the real Dylan, she honestly believed he would do something as

ruthless as getting revenge.

If he really did it...

Her face turned completely cold.

She wouldn't forgive. Not ever.

*

The drive to the monastery took over two hours, the road winding up into the mountains at the end.noveldrama

Mrs. Ferguson sat in the back seat, trying to put Clara out of her mind, staring out

the window with a sigh. "It's changed so much around here."

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Tara smiled and said, "You haven't been back in ten years, Mrs. Ferguson. If it was still the same,

hould mean the Capital hadn't

changed at all."

The tension in the car eased a little, and Mrs. Ferguson chuckled. "You always have a fresh perspective."

Tara smiled softly, then glanced at Dylan. "Dylan, it's been years since you came out here too, right? Last time visited, the old abbot even

asked about you." fo

This monastery was famous-a place where all the city's rich and powerful came

to pray. The monks there had a lot of influence.

Dylan leaned his head against the window, watching the green mountains roll by.

"I don't believe in that stuff."

Mrs. Ferguson's expression changed instantly.

Back then, the fate of a child had been decided by a single word from the abbot.

Just one label-cursed star-and that child's life was ruined forever.

For Dylan to say he didn't believe in any of it now? Wasn't that just saying everything they'd done was meaningless?

Her face turned cold, but with Tara sitting there, she couldn't bring up the child they'd pushed out of the family years ago. All she could say was, "You only say that because you're young. You've gotten this far because of these blessings. Dylan, everyone has their own fate. No matter how high you climb, you can't escape it. Some people are born lucky, some are born unlucky. It doesn't matter if you believe-fate believes in you."

Dylan didn't answer. He just rubbed his thumb over his ring finger.

He still wore his wedding ring-the one he'd exchanged with Clara. Somehow,

that was the only thing that made him feel a little better.