The Bound Between Us

Chapter 1023

Autumn quietly laid out Julie's story, telling everything about her own past with

Devin as well. She held nothing back-except for one thing: the supposed affair in the hotel. On that, Autumn was unwavering.

She insisted she'd only been at the hotel to look after Devin, who was falling apart, and she'd done it out of respect for her late daughter. That was all there was to it.

Mr. Walker believed her when it came to Julie. With Autumn's temperament, if she'd ever known Julie was her own daughter, there's no way she would have done nothing all these years.

Mr. Walker's tone turned serious. "You care so much about Daria. Is it only because she's your granddaughter? You know Julie went to prison for Grannie Anita's murder. And what about Katelyn? Why are you so close to her? Is it all for Daria, or is there something more?"

"It's because of Daria," Autumn cut in sharply. She'd never admit she wanted justice for her daughter, or that she was out for revenge against the Salstrom family.

"Daria grew up without a mother. It's pitiful. And Joseph-he's always been a womanizer. I already let Julie down. I want to make it right for Daria." Her voice trembled. "We've been married for decades. When I married you, we had nothing, and I stuck by you through it all. After everything, can't you give me just a little trust?"

Mr. Walker didn't know what to believe. Two people, alone in a hotel room-it was hard to swallow.

Seeing him hesitate, Autumn decided to go all-in. "Let's go to the hospital right now. We'll get an amniocentesis and a paternity test. If the baby's yours, maybe then you'll finally believe me. But if you need a test to believe me, then we're done. I'm going to change, then we can go."

was

stormed upstairs, too angry

back a sliver of trust. Mr. Walker had considered it, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Saying it out

up

remembering how Autumn had stuck with

with himself, Autumn came downstairs, already dressed, her face set. "Let's go. Even if you

Mr. Walker started, but she

and waited, hands clenched, betting everything that Mr. Walker

get past today, maybe everything

nervous her

forever, Mr. Walker got in the car and said

She looked at Mr. Walker, but he wouldn't look back. The car

mentioning the paternity test. If it turned out the baby wasn't his, she'd

ugly truth was, she

went for her checkup, shet lied about her

all up

reached the hospital