Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

He was out of options. With no other choice, he made a quick call and had the headstone moved to this side.

Once he hung up, Simon dialed Walter.

"Grandpa, while I was burying Mom, I suddenly remembered a few old friends of ours who are buried here. I want to visit them, but the left hill needs special permission. The guard said I should let you know."

Walter frowned, surprised by the request. Why did Simon suddenly want to go to the left hill? That spot was unusual, and it was true-some elders who'd watched Simon grow up were buried there. Visits required a booking, though, and hardly anyone ever went.noveldrama

He made a call to the person in charge, and soon enough, the guard at the gate got the message and let Simon through.

Simon's heart pounded with excitement, his whole body buzzing. If Dylan was hiding someone out here, it had to be on the left hill. He needed to see for himself what was really going on.

The left hill was massive. From the entrance, electrified fences circled the area, and on the far side, it bordered a government base-security was crazy tight.

Simon took the escalator up, passing through carefully designed layers of terraces and paths. The closer he got, the more it felt like he was about to uncover a huge secret. But as the escalator reached a spot near the top, it stopped.

Another layer of security.

Simon frowned, ready to explain that he had permission, but the guard beat him to it, speaking fast.

"Mr. Simon, only people registered in the system can go any further."

Ahead was a huge, solid door that looked like it could withstand a tank. The area behind it—about two thousand square meters-was completely walled off, like a prison. The rest of the hill was still a neat, orderly cemetery, but this section was totally cut off.

Simon had never heard of anything like a prison on this hill.

He stared at the door, unable to stop himself from asking, "Who counts as registered in the system?"

The guard, rifle slung across his chest, answered coolly, "If you don't already know, Mr. Simon, then it's not your business."

Simon practically shook with

frustration. He circled the area over and over, checking the walls for any kind of gap or weakness, but there was nothing. Eventually, he sat down nearby, fuming.

The placement of this fortress was way too clever. Flat ground all around-no

trees, nothing to climb, no way to sneak a peek.

Simon didn't want to leave. Getting inside this section of the cemetery was nearly impossible, and if he had to keep asking Grandpa for help, Walter would definitely start getting suspicious.

Still, one thing was clear: If Dylan was hiding a kid, it had to be in this prison-like place right in front of him.

Everyone in their circle knew Dylan came to this cemetery once a year, and every time he left, he looked awful. People always assumed he was grieving Shelly.

But now, Simon was almost certain it was because of the child.

If Dylan really had a kid, who was the mother?

Simon mentally listed every woman who'd ever been around Dylan, but as far as he knew, Dylan had always been hung up on Clara. How could he have a child with someone else? Was this kid the result of some random one-night stand-a child Dylan wanted to hide away from the world, locked up in this fortress?

The thought sent a thrill through Simon. If Grandpa ever found out Dylan had a

son with another woman, would he still let Dylan and Clara stay married?

A cold smile crept across Simon's lips. He wasn't going to blow things up just yet —especially with Tara still around. Tara was already causing Dylan enough trouble.

He'd wait for the right moment. Glancing at his watch, Simon got up and headed down the hill, making his way back to the family estate.