It all started with Autumn.


    Julie''s reputation had been destroyed, and Autumn was determined to get even- an eye for an eye-for her daughter''s sake.


    She lingered in the attic for a while, quietly sitting by Julie''s urn. When she heard a car engine shut off outside, she knew Mr. Walker was home. Calmly, she left the attic and locked the door behind her.


    As Autumn came downstairs, Mr. Walker was just stepping inside, smiling. "Autumn, go change. I want you toe with me tonight to a work dinner."


    Autumn faked a cough, pressing a hand to her chest. "I''m not feeling well. Maybe I should sit this one out. Besides, I never really know what to say to your colleagues."


    Mr. Walker was on top of the world these days, and he wanted to show off his wife a bit, let her enjoy the spotlight too.


    "Since when are you sick?" he asked, his tone gentle. "Did you see a doctor?"


    "I did. It''s just a slight fever-nothing serious." Autumn sank into the sofa. "Give me a little rest and I''ll be fine."


    "Alright." Mr. Walker reached out to check her forehead. She felt perfectly normal to him.


    A little guilty, Autumn coughed again for good measure. Mr. Walker let it slide. "Go upstairs and rest, okay? Maybe you''re just not used to the water here."


    "Okay." Autumn just wanted to get away before he started asking more questions.


    She coughed her way upstairs. As soon as she was gone, Mr. Walker''s expression changed. He called for the housekeeper. "Has my wife seemed differenttely?"


    He''d noticed Autumn never wanted to go out with him since they moved to Riverdale. Back in the countryside, she''d been enthusiastic about his career, always helping out. Now, she seemed distant.


    The housekeeper looked puzzled. "She seems fine, sir. Although, she does spend a lot of time in the attic."


    The attic?


    He remembered seeing here down from there once before. Curiosity got the better of him, so he headed up to check.


    The attic door was locked.


    Neither he nor the housekeeper had a key. Autumn kept it with her.


    He considered looking for the spare key, but just then his assistant called, reminding him he waste. With a sigh, Mr. Walker let it go and left for his evening.


    As soon as he was gone, Autumn slipped out of her room. She knew he was starting to get suspicious about the attic.


    She sent the housekeeper on an errand, then quietly carried Julie''s urn to the car and drove to the cemetery.


    She didn''t bury Julie-just left the urn in the family mausoleum for now. She was waiting. She wanted Anastasia to pay before Julie could finally rest in peace.


    After leaving the cemetery, Autumn headed over to Salstrom Manor. She missed her grandchildren, and with the scandal still fresh, it gave her a good excuse to check in on O Katelyn''s mood.


    Salstrom Manor.


    Because of the photo scandal, Katelyn was in no mood for parties or afternoons


    at Southridge Estates. She wasn''t going out at all these days.


    The phone rang constantly-friends, old bridge partners, all asking the same questions about the photos Some people simply gossiped behin her back. Even a quick trip to the bakery was enough to feel the


    stares and whispers ne


    So she stopped going out, stopped picking up calls, and devoted herself to her three grandchildren, figuring things would blow over eventually.


    Emmie and Nancy were too young to understand, but eight-year-old Pattie knew something big had happened.


    Pattie didn''t ask questions. She just did as her uncle Herman said and stayed at Salstrom Manor.


    She secretly called her cousin


    Salma, fishing for news about


    Anastasia. Salma just repeated the


    story. Anastasia was sick, and when


    she was better, they''d all be together again.


    Pattie didn''t buy it, but she didn''t push. She sat in the garden, lost in thought.


    "Pattie, sweetheart, you look down. Are you not feeling well?" Katelyn asked, hurrying over with concern.


    Pattie shook her head.


    Before Katelyn could say more, the butler appeared. "Mrs. Salstrom, Mrs. Walker has arrived."


    At the mention of Autumn, Katelyn immediately brightened. "Quick, show her in!"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!