The Bound Between Us

Chapter 927

Mr. Walker had always lived a clean, honest life, so discovering such ruthlessness in his own family left him stunned and heartbroken. He felt completely helpless. This was his wife—the woman he'd spent his whole life trying to make up to-so what could he possibly do now? He just wanted to protect her. It was only when he noticed Herman's suspicion turning toward Autumn that he finally stepped in.

Autumn couldn't bring herself to tell the truth. Staring at the floor, she mumbled, “I arranged for someone to take Julie's body. Ben and I went to school together, and he wasn't in great health. His sudden death shocked me, too. As for the kidnapping of Mrs. Salstrom-what does that have to do with me?"

Ben's sudden passing had caught Autumn off guard, but she understood the meaning behind it. Ben had done it to protect her.

Mr. Walker was confused. "Why did you take Julie's body? What's your connection to her? And you were classmates with Ben?"

At that moment, Mr. Walker realized how little he actually knew about his wife's past. When they married, Autumn never mentioned her family-just said she had no one left. For more than twenty years, they'd lived quietly in the countryside, and he'd never seen her in touch with anyone from her old life. He simply assumed she was an orphan with no family to speak of.

Maybe that's why he always felt an extra tenderness for her. He handed over every paycheck, and Autumn had the final say at home. When he took the job in Riverdale, of course he brought her along.

Even now, with everything falling apart, he hadn't once raised his voice to her. All he wanted was to understand what was going on, so he could protect her.

tears-something he'd rarely seen in all

"Hey, don't cry, sweetheart. Whatever's going on, we're a team. We'll figure it out together. If you want kids, we can adopt. My cousin's got more kids than he knows what to do with-he's even suggested letting us take one in. I think it could be good for us. We could raise the child as our own, and when we're old, they'll be there for

on us for not having children, and now that you're a big shot in Riverdale, they're after our money. They're hoping

to reassure her with a smile. "It's not like that. We're all family. My cousin just feels for us because we don't have

child who actually needs it-not one of theirs. Autumn's voice took on an edge. You're always busy at work and with social calls. You don't hear the gossip at home. Everyone's saying we're going to adopt your cousin's kid, and you know where that's coming from-your

She wasn't about to let them take advantage of

let's drop it for now," Mr. Walker said gently. "If you're not comfortable, then we won't do it. But tell me, Autumn-why did you take

she'd have to give him an answer, or this wouldn't blow

classmate's daughter," Autumn finally managed, her voice trembling as she wiped her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to tell the truth-she was

to school here in Riverdale years ago," she went on, her voice thick with emotion. "Ben was my classmate, and Julie was the daughter of another friend

Walker frowned.

"Yes. When I came back to Riverdale, I