Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Dylan didn't show up downstairs until the evening of the fourth day.

The house staff rushed to bring him something to eat, but he barely touched it. After a few bites, he just sat there, staring out the window, completely lost in thought. No one really knew what to say to him, so everyone just kept quiet and tiptoed around, trying not to disturb him.

Later, he rolled his wheelchair out to the lawn, stopping at a spot where the grass was patchy and uneven. Clara used to play here-she'd tug at the grass, pulling it out without even realizing. Dylan stared at that bare patch for ages, his mind somewhere far away, until he heard footsteps behind him.

It was Aiden.

Aiden sounded a little unsure. "Mr. Petersen, Mrs. Ferguson heard about Clara going missing. She wants you to go to Tara's welcome party tonight."

The Warren family had postponed everything after Ada's funeral, but now the party was back on-right when Clara was missing. To the families, the timing almost felt too convenient.

Dylan just gave a quiet, "Okay," his face completely unreadable.

Aiden followed him inside, then hesitated before saying, "You should try to eat a little more. If you pass out at the party, everyone in the Capital will be talking."noveldrama

People were already gossiping about his marriage to Clara. He'd posted something on social media, but Mrs. Ferguson had brushed it off in public, calling it a joke. Everyone was watching tonight. Tara was definitely the star of the show.

Dylan waited until seven to finally head over to the Warren estate. By then, the place was already lively and packed with guests.

Tara herself came out to greet him.

Her eyes lit up when she saw him. She leaned in, saying something softly, and they walked into the grand hall together. To everyone there, they looked like the perfect couple.

Mrs. Warren watched them, clearly pleased. She gave Richard a pat on the back. "You and Dylan are so close. Talk to him when you get a chance, will you? This marriage is practically a done deal—no need to make things difficult for anyone."

Richard just smiled politely, swirling his wine. "I try, but he's not a kid anymore. He should get to decide who he marries."

He glanced over at Dylan.

Dylan looked pale that night, but with so many Warren elders around, he had to play along, accepting drinks and making small talk. The family hierarchy was obvious. Tara stayed close to him, and when she saw how unwell he looked, she stepped in and took the drinks for him.

"Dylan hasn't been feeling well lately. I'll drink this one for him," she said smoothly.

Someone nearby joked, "You're not even married yet and you're already taking his side!"

Tara just laughed easily, though she kept glancing at Dylan out of the corner of her eye.

Dylan stayed quiet. After greeting the elders, he turned to Tara and asked, "Did I ever give you anything before?"

Tara's eyes sparkled with surprise. She stood behind his wheelchair and gently pushed him toward the elevator.

"Oh, you gave me quite a few things. I thought you'd forgotten. If you'd like, I can show you."

They got into the elevator together, leaving the crowd behind.

The elders watched them go, smiling to themselves. In their minds, this marriage was already set in stone.

Tara wheeled Dylan into her room. The space was wide and carefully decorated. She opened a cabinet, rummaged around, and pulled out a few small boxes. "These are all from you," she said.

Inside, each piece of paper had been folded into the shape of a ring-six in total.

Dylan picked up the box, but suddenly he didn't want to look inside. It felt like a heavy weight pressing on his chest.

Tara crouched down beside him. "Dylan, you've been distant with me ever since you got sick, but I don't blame you. I was there once, when you lost control. I've never told

anyone. I've kept your secret all this time."

She had seen him at his worst-his

eyes

and fierce, like he'd come

back some dark place,

theoverme

completely shut off from: shut off from the world.

She'd known then that he was

strugglin

with something serious,

something no heir was supposed to have. If anyone ever found out, it would be the end for him.

But she never told.

She'd been raised to never do anything that could hurt Dylan.

In her mind, she was the only one truly fit to be his wife.