The moment Autumn realized that Daria was her grandson-her daughter Julie''s child her heart thudded with emotion. She wanted nothing more than to gather the little boy up and never let go.


    Autumn managed to rein in her feelings, smoothing her expression and offering a warm, sincerepliment. "He''s such a handsome kid, isn''t he? Those bright eyes... he''s going to break some hearts when he''s older, I''m sure of it."


    Katelyn, thinking Autumn was just being polite, grinned. "He''s alright, I suppose. Mrs. Walker, can I get you some coffee?"


    "Oh, anything''s fine," Autumn replied. "Back on the farm, we didn''t have coffee- just in water, really. I''m not picky. And please, don''t call me Mrs. Walker. Just Autumn is fine! No need to be so formal. You''re helping me settle in here in Riverdale, and honestly, I already think of you as a friend. Let''s skip the formalities and be sisters from now on."


    All the while, Autumn''s eyes rarely left Daria, her affection and longing written all over her face.


    Katelynughed. "Well, I''m a year older, so I guess I get to call you my little sis, then."


    "Works for me, Katelyn," Autumn replied, smiling easily, and the two women slipped into afortable chat.


    Meanwhile, Anastasia sat quietly to the side, scrolling through her phone, though she kept ncing up at Autumn, curiosity and caution flickering in her eyes.


    Katelyn ordered a coffee for Autumn. Before long, Daria woke up from his nap. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, and spotting Anastasia, reached out. "Mommy, up!"


    He wasn''t fully awake and barely knew what he was saying, but he clung to Anastasia, cravingfort. He''d never really had a mother, but he''d heard other kids call for theirs, and he wanted that too. There was something about Anastasia that made her feel like the mom he imagined.


    That one word "Mommy"-hit Anastasia hard. Surprise, longing, and bitterness surged inside her.


    Her own child, lost because of Julie and Grannie Anita''s schemes, was gone. And now Julie''s son was calling her ''Mommy.''


    If her own son hadn''t been taken, he''d be about Daria''s age now.


    Anastasia froze, unable to move, not reaching for him. Daria, undeterred, wriggled


    out of the nanny''s arms and climbed right into Anastasia''sp.


    It all happened so naturally, everyone stared for a moment.


    The sound of "Mommy" startled both Autumn and Katelyn.


    Katelyn frowned. "Daria, you can''t just call anyone ''Mommy.'' She''s not your mother-she''s Emmie and Nancy''s mom."


    Autumn bristled at the correction, her heart aching for her grandson. Watching Daria cling to the woman she med for her own daughter''s death made her blood run cold She was suddenly sure: she had to get Daria back. No way would she let her grandson stay with the Salstroms. Anastasia, who''d taken her daughter, could never love her grandson properly.


    But Daria just snuggled closer to Anastasia, as if he hadn''t heard a word.


    At a loss, Anastasia gently hugged Daria back. "Hey, why don''t you go look at the


    fish in the pond over there? They''re really pretty."


    "Okay!" Daria slid down and scampered toward the pond.


    Anastasia turned to the nanny. "Keep an eye on him, alright? Make sure he doesn''t fall in."


    The nanny nodded. "Of course, ma''am."


    The pond was only a few yards away, filled with colorful goldfish. Little kids always loved that kind of thing.


    Autumn watched Daria like a hawk, nerves stretched tight. What if he fell in? She couldn''t shake the feeling that Anastasia had sent him there on purpose-she''d always believed Anastasia was cold, even ruthless, and wouldn''t put it past her to endanger a child.


    Daria, ever the curious little boy, reached out to try and grab a fish, and Autumn''s heart nearly stopped.


    Luckily, the nanny kept a close watch, and Daria was just fine-his giggles and excitement filling the air as he tried to catch the fish.


    Anastasia, distracted by her phone, looked up and caught the anxious look on Autumn''s face. She followed Autumn''s gaze, frowning. Why is she watching Daria so closely?


    Just then, Daria, distracted by some flowers near the pond, tripped and fell. He burst into tears. Before Anastasia could get up, Autumn was already there, scooping him into her arms. .


    "Oh, sweetie, are you alright? Let me see. Oh, your little hand''s all red-let me


    kiss it better." Autumn fussed over him, checking for scrapes, her worry in as


    day.


    Anastasia watched the scene, taking it all in, every detail burning itself into her memory.