Given Mr. Walker''s standing, he wasn''t about to make a scene. Even if he caught them red-handed, he''d handle it with icyposure. There was no way he''d

march into a hotel with an entourage public humiliation.

he wouldn''t set himself up for that kind of

Clinging to thest scraps of self-control, Mr. Walker called Autumn as soon as he arrived back at the Riverdale house. "I''m home," he said calmly. "Are youing back on your own, or should I send someone to pick you up from the hotel?"

It was just past six in the morning, the sky barely brightening.

When Autumn saw his name sh on her phone, her heart lurched, panic washing through her. The shock made her fumble-her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor. That single sentence told her everything: Mr. Walker knew.

He hung up after saying just that.

Autumn''s arms and legs went weak, her heart thudding in her chest. In a frenzy, she shook Devin awake, her voice barely steady. "It''s over, Devin. Mr. Walker knows. He''s back-he knows everything."

Devin blinked, still half asleep. "Who knows what?"

"Mr. Walker knows about us! He''s home. He knows I''m at the hotel-he even asked if I''ming back or if he should send someone."

That snapped Devin awake. "Shit."

He jumped out of bed, scrambling for his clothes. "What are you waiting for? Get dressed and get home-now. And listen, no matter what Mr. Walker asks, you don''t admit a thing. Even if he suspects, as long as you don''t say it out loud and he didn''t catch us in the act, there''s still hope."

Devin understood men-he knew exactly how these things worked.

Of course, Autumn didn''t dare admit anything.

Watching Devin button up his shirt, she hesitated, then asked, “If things end between Mr. Walker and me, what about us?"

Devin cut her off, sharp and cold. "There''s no us. Your job is to hold on to Mr. Walker-do whatever it takes to keep your marriage. Our child needs to have his name, you get that?"

In that moment, a deep chill settled in Autumn''s chest. She saw Devin for who he was-using her, never once thinking about a future together.

"Devin, did you ever think about marrying me?" Her anger and bitterness finally spilled over. "Back then, you said I wasn''t good enough and pushed me away. Now you still won''t marry me. You never really loved me, did you?"

Devin let out a frustrated sigh. "Is this really the time for that? Just get dressed- remember, don''t admit anything. If you can protect yourself, maybe there''ll still be a way forward."

Now he was scared, too. Just yesterday, he''d been showing off in front of Mr. Walker; now, he was all nerves.

Mr. Walker could crush him like an ant if he wanted to.

He had no idea how to save himself, but one thing was certain-he couldn''t afford a confession.

After Devin''s repeated urging, Autumn finally left the hotel.

By the time she got home, daylight was streaming through the windows.

Mr. Walker had sent the housekeeper away for the day. He sat alone on the sofa, waiting.

He heard her steps, turned, and saw Autumn walk in, eyes empty, soul drained. The thought of her and Devin togetherst night, the sting of betrayal, made his blood boil.

Autumn walked in, steadying herself. On the way home, she''d already yed out this scene in her mind. After nearly thirty years of marriage, she knew Mr. Walker better than anyone.

He tried to keep his temper in check. "What exactly is your rtionship with Devin?"

"Old ssmates. And... my ex," Autumn said, honest but calm. “I won''t lie. Years ago, I was with Devin. I was young, na?ve—a

different person. His family dien

approve and we lost touch. tmoved to the country, met you, and we never reconnected until Peame back to Riverdale. That''s when we started talking again."  s

Mr. Walker believed her about the years apart—she''d spent decades by his side, far from the city.

He mmed his hand down on the table. “Julie is Devin''s daughter. How do you exin that?"

Autumn''s voice broke. "Mr. Walker,fn53d4 This update is avable on ?ovelFind/fn53d4

we''ve been married nearly thirty

years. You don''t trust me. You''ve gone behind my back investigating me. Julie is my daughter-yes. But only found out after we returned to Riverdale. I didn''t tell you because I didn''t want to upset you. It was all before I met you. I don''t want the past to haunt us, or to hurt you."  s

Mr. Walker let out a bitterugh. "Then why were you at the hotel with Devin? I

leave town, and you run to him. You made me a fool, Autumn. Do you know what that does to a man''s pride?"

Autumn''s eyes filled with tears.

"We''ve been through so much

together, and still you don''t trust me.

You have people watching me,

following met went to the hotel

because Devin was

she''s Julie''s

father. I was just taking care of him, nothing more. Do you really think I''d betray you? After all these years, is that what you think of me? Ask yourself, Mr. Walker-how have I treated you, how have I kept this family together for all these years?”  s