The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 968

Devin was playing with fire.

And he was doing it right under Mr. Walker’s nose.

Autumn felt like she was unraveling, nerves shot, her heart pounding in her chest. Fear tangled with guilt—her husband and her lover, sitting down for afternoon tea together? Who could handle that kind of disaster?

“Maybe another day,” Mr. Walker said smoothly, flashing a polite smile as he turned Devin down. “Swallow isn’t feeling well, so I’ll take her home first.”

With Mr. Walker saying that, Devin had no choice but to back off. “Sure, next time.”

But the smile on Devin’s face was smug, almost taunting—a glint in his eyes that said, clear as day: Idiot. I’ve slept with your wife. That’s your green hat now.

Once Mr. Walker led Autumn out of the hospital and into the car, she finally let out a shaky breath. The knot in her stomach started to loosen.

Mr. Walker gently squeezed her hand. “The doctor said you’ve been too stressed lately. You need rest. Nothing serious, but you should relax more. Still thinking about making Joseph your godson?”

“Yeah,” Autumn replied quietly. “Honey, can you talk to Feiman again? I’d feel better if it was settled soon.”

Mr. Walker gave her a look she couldn’t quite read. Then, as if it was nothing, he asked, “Alright. By the way, Swallow, you and Devin went to school together, right? Ran into him just now and you looked uncomfortable. Yet you used to speak up for Julie, even asked me to help her out.”

Autumn’s mind raced, but she answered smoothly, “I just didn’t want to make things harder for you. You’ve worked so hard to get established in Riverdale. The Brown family’s already upset the Salstroms, and now with Devin’s daughter in trouble, I was worried it might affect your career. When I asked you for help, it was because Devin requested it. We’re old classmates, I couldn’t say no. But in public, I try to keep my distance so nothing reflects badly on you.”

Normally, Autumn would never say anything like this about Devin and his daughter, but she’d say whatever it took now to put Mr. Walker’s mind at ease.

“Probably for the best,” Mr. Walker replied, a hint of something in his tone she couldn’t quite place. He smiled again. “But really, there’s no need to avoid him on purpose. Just be yourself.”

That last line—just be yourself—left Autumn a little confused. She forced a smile, still feeling like her nerves were shot after today’s emotional rollercoaster.

At least Anastasia hadn’t made a scene, but her own secret had almost come crashing down.

—

The birthday party finally wrapped up late that night.

There were two parts: a lunch and then a dinner.

By ten o’clock, when it was all over, Pattie walked Justin out to say goodbye. She’d overheard him telling Layna earlier that he’d be heading back to Hong Kong the next day, and wanted to ask when he’d be back in Riverdale.

But with no pen or paper, her sign language just left Justin confused. Her pride kept her from trying again, so she simply waved at him.

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