The Bound Between Us

It all started with Autumn.

Julie's reputation had been destroyed, and Autumn was determined to get even- an eye for an eye-for her daughter's sake.

She lingered in the attic for a while, quietly sitting by Julie's urn. When she heard a car engine shut off outside, she knew Mr. Walker was home. Calmly, she left the attic and locked the door behind her.

As Autumn came downstairs, Mr. Walker was just stepping inside, smiling. "Autumn, go change. I want you to come with me tonight to a work dinner."

Autumn faked a cough, pressing a hand to her chest. "I'm not feeling well. Maybe I should sit this one out. Besides, I never really know what to say to your colleagues."

Mr. Walker was on top of the world these days, and he wanted to show off his wife a bit, let her enjoy the spotlight too.

"Since when are you sick?" he asked, his tone gentle. "Did you see a doctor?"

"I did. It's just a slight fever-nothing serious." Autumn sank into the sofa. "Give me a little rest and I'll be fine."

"Alright." Mr. Walker reached out to check her forehead. She felt perfectly normal to him.

A little guilty, Autumn coughed again for good measure. Mr. Walker let it slide. "Go upstairs and rest, okay? Maybe you're just not used to the water here."

"Okay." Autumn just wanted to get away before he started asking more questions.

Mr. Walker's expression changed. He

never wanted to go out with him since they moved to Riverdale. Back in the countryside, she'd been enthusiastic about his career,

puzzled. "She seems fine, sir. Although, she does spend a lot of time

The attic?

from there once before. Curiosity got the better of him, so

attic door was

he nor the housekeeper had a key. Autumn kept it

then his assistant called, reminding him he was late. With a sigh, Mr. Walker let it go and left for

out of her room. She knew he was starting to get suspicious about the

the housekeeper on an errand, then quietly carried Julie's urn to the

mausoleum for now. She was waiting. She wanted Anastasia to pay before Julie could finally rest in

grandchildren, and with the scandal still fresh, it gave

Salstrom Manor.

of the photo scandal, Katelyn was in no mood for

She wasn't going out at all

phone rang constantly-friends, old bridge partners, all asking the same questions about the photos Some people simply gossiped behin her back. Even a quick trip

stares and whispers ne

out, stopped picking up calls, and devoted herself to her three grandchildren, figuring things would

understand, but eight-year-old Pattie knew something