Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

"What are you doing?" Ada demanded, her voice tight with worry. "I heard all about it-Dylan and Clara are married now. Simon, you haven't been yourself lately. The way you look at me... honestly, it scares me. Maybe you can't let go of Clara yet, but if you just left Manhattan for a year or two, you could have any woman you want. Didn't your grandfather arrange for you to help run the Chicago branch as vice president?"

Simon's jaw clenched, anger flickering across his face. He leaned forward and snapped at the driver, "Pull over. Now."

The driver flinched, panic in his eyes. "Sir, we're on the highway-I can't just stop here."

Simon started to climb toward the front, but Ada grabbed his arm, holding him back with all her strength.

"Simon! Are you really going to fight Dylan for a woman? Do you honestly think you can win against him? What do you even have to compete with?"

Her words stung, cutting right through him. All his life, Simon-and every Ferguson kid—had lived in Dylan's shadow. Losing Clara to Dylan was already enough to make him hate his cousin. He never expected his own mother to tear him down like this.

Simon let out a bitter, twisted laugh. Without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed the steering wheel from the driver.

The car swerved violently. The driver screamed, "Mr. Simon! We're on the highway! We'll crash!"

Ada's face went white. She tried to pull Simon back, but she was no match for his strength.

The car shot off the bridge, plunging straight into the dark, cold water below.

Simon knew how to swim. He made it to the surface almost immediately, gasping for air, but the driver and Ada were trapped inside, struggling as the car started to sink.

Simon dragged himself up onto the muddy riverbank, his mind spinning and unfocused. A voice in his head urged him to save Ada-she was his mother, after all. But another, colder voice whispered, Let her go. She's only ever held you back.

He stared at the sinking car, frozen, then suddenly collapsed onto the ground, numb and motionless, like someone had pulled the plug on his body.

The crash was quickly discovered by other drivers. Some people wanted to jump in and help, but the car sank too fast-it was already gone by the time anyone could do anything.

The river here ran deep, over sixty meters, connecting Manhattan to the next city. Rescue teams arrived quickly, but by the time divers got there, the car had already vanished into the depths. The people inside were surely gone. Now, all they could do was send divers down to bring up the bodies.

Simon didn't move or say a word the entire time. Everyone nearby just assumed he was in shock, too devastated to speak.

News of the accident reached the Ferguson family almost immediately. Word was, Simon had crashed on his way to the other city, and Ada had died.

Walter, the family patriarch, sighed

dd called Simon, instructiet

him

come home and take care of

Ada's funeral arrangements.

On the drive back, Simon just stared blankly out the window, silent. The men sent

by Walter spoke gently, their tone full of sympathy.

"Mr. Walter never wanted things to turn out like this. Don't blame him, Simon it was your father who first suggested you go to the other city probably just didn't want you causing trouble in Manhattan."

Simon's lips twisted into a strange, empty smile. Suddenly, he started to laugh, low and broken.

The driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror, uneasy. He figured Simon was just overwhelmed with grief.

Ada's death was so abrupt that the Fergusons decided to hold a big, formal funeral for her.

That night, Simon stared up at the pitch-black sky, rubbing his tired face as if trying to wake himself up.

When the Warren family heard about Ada's passing, they canceled Tara's welcome party and sent people over to offer their condolences.

Walter showed up at Simon's place, finding him sitting there, silent and dazed. He let out a heavy sigh.

"Simon, everyone has their own fate."

Simon gave a weak, empty smile.

It had only been six hours since Ada died. Now it was ten at night, and the rest of the Ferguson family had gathered.

Leaning on his cane, Walter sighed again. "Tomorrow, let's have everyone come together for her funeral. One last goodbye."noveldrama

ет

Ada's body had already been sent for cremation that night-she'd be buried in the morning. The new year

had just begun; they couldn't keep the body at home.

Simon's eyelashes fluttered. For the first time, it seemed like he was actually present. "Okay."

Walter gently patted his shoulder. "If you don't want to go to Chicago right now, then don't. Stay home, keep your mom company."

Simon started laughing again-soft at first, then uncontrollable.

Everyone exchanged worried glances. They all thought he'd finally snapped from grief.