That afternoon, as they talked about taking the kids out, Anastasia brought up something that had been bugging her about Autumn.


    "Babe," she said, "Mrs. Walker''s been trying so hard to get on Mom''s good side, right? So why is she so cold toward Emmie and Nancy, but seems to absolutely adore Daria? Doesn''t that strike you as odd?"


    It was obvious Katelyn wasn''t a fan of Daria-her feelings showed on her face, and Autumn couldn''t have missed that. Yet, Autumn acted like she really liked Daria. It all felt a bit backwards.


    To make things weirder, Daria clearly wasn''t keen on Autumn either. So why the sudden affection from Autumn?


    Herman folded his arms, thoughtful. "People don''t just like or dislike others for no reason. If it feels strange, it''s just because we haven''t figured out the reason yet. Once we find it, everything will make sense."


    "So what''s Mrs. Walker''s reason for liking Daria?" Anastasia wondered aloud. "When she first met Daria, things were tense-Daria was pretty standoffish, evenshed out at her."


    "Try to think back,” Herman suggested. "Was there a specific moment when Mrs. Walker''s attitude shifted? Usually, there''s a small clue."


    Anastasia reyed the scene in her mind: Autumn had been asking about Daria, and Katelyn casually mentioned, "That''s Joseph and Julie''s kid." Right after that, Autumn''s expression changed, even if just a little.


    What was it about thatment that made Autumn react?


    She felt like she was on the verge of figuring it out, but the answer kept slipping away.


    Seeing her struggle, Herman squeezed her hand. "Don''t stress about it, it''s not worth it. Let''s focus on something fun. Should we catch a movie tonight, or maybe after dinner, go for a walk at the night market?"


    "Yeah, let''s go to the night market after dinner, walk off the food and just enjoy the evening,” Anastasia agreed, letting go of her worries. If Autumn didn''t like her kids, she''d just ask Katelyn not to bring them along next time. She barely knew Autumn anyway-maybe that''s just how she was.


    "Perfect. Night market it is," Herman said with a grin. "I still remember that ce pretty well."


    Anastasiaughed. "Let''s see how much you actually remember. Not that it really matters."


    "Deal."


    After dinner, the two strolled hand-in-hand down the lively street, the city lights twinkling around them. When they reached the front of TeaTimes, the local bubble tea spot, they both blurted out, "“Let''s grab a milk tea!"


    They burst outughing, sharing a look only couples in sync can share. Anastasia had a weakness for bubble tea just passing by was enough to tempt her.


    "Same as always? Taro milk tea, warm?" Herman teased.


    Anastasia grinned. "Since you bought dinner, I''ll treat us to bubble tea."


    She let go of his hand and stepped up to the counter. "Tworge taro milk teas, warm, please."


    Most of the other customers were students from the nearby university, chatting andughing as they waited for their drinks.


    With their bubble teas in hand, Anastasia and Hermanced their fingers together, sipping as they


    wandered the busy street


    looked so perfect together that people passing by couldn''t help but take a second look—maybe even thinking they were college


    sweethearts.


    Suddenly, Herman''s tone turned serious. "Pattie''s birthday ising up. I want to throw her a real birthday party. People have always whispered about her, but I think it''s time to set the record straight-let everyone know who she truly is."


    Herman didn''t remember everything about his past, but he wasn''t about to let his daughter be treated like she didn''t belong. If she was his daughter, everyone should know it-no room for gossip.


    Anastasia''s heart softened. He was finally thinking about Pattie''s future.


    "Alright, I trust you," she said. "I just worry that if we announce who she is, everyone will know she can''t speak. I don''t want her to feel even more self- conscious."


    "James says there''s a forty percent chance he can help her, but when James says forty, he usually means sixty. I''m not worried. My daughter won''t be dismissed. And even if she can''t speak, no one else has the right to judge."


    Anastasia smiled. "Okay."


    For them, life felt peaceful-like things were finally falling into ce.


    But over at Golden River, it was a different story. The air was thick with tension, heavy with the scent of fear.


    Alisa showed up thinking she was there to pick up some cash, feeling pretty good about it—until she saw Harry by the riverbank, standing over a body, a bloody knife in his hand.


    When Harry said he''d kill someone, he meant it.


    Alisa was frozen with terror, her legs turning to jelly. She wanted to run, but


    couldn''t move, copsing right where she stood.


    Harry, holding the blood-stained knife like it was nothing, handed it to Alisa and


    dragged her closer to the body, stabbing it again without flinching.


    Alisa squeezed her eyes shut and screamed, unable to watch.