The Bound Between Us

Chapter 1021

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 icy composure. 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 the last 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 you coming 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 flash 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'm coming back or if he should send someone."

That snapped Devin awake. "Shit."

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

exactly how

course, Autumn didn't dare

button up his shirt, she hesitated, then asked, “If things end between Mr. Walker

and cold. "There's no us. Your job is to hold on to Mr. Walker-do whatever it takes to

Devin for

over. "Back then, you said I wasn't good enough and pushed me away.

a frustrated sigh. "Is this really the time for that? Just get dressed- remember, don't admit

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

like an ant if he wanted

idea how to save himself, but one thing

repeated urging, Autumn finally left

time she got home, daylight

away for the

walk in, eyes empty, soul drained. The thought of her and Devin together

in, steadying herself. On the way home, she'd already played out this scene in her mind. After nearly thirty years of

temper in check.

said, honest but calm. “I won't lie. Years ago, I was with Devin. I was young,

His

and we never reconnected until Peame back to Riverdale. That's

the years apart—she'd spent decades by his