Autumn''s pregnant?


    The news hit Anastasia like a punch to the gut.


    "Mom, are you serious?" Anastasia nearly jumped out of her skin. "Mrs. Walker is really pregnant?"


    If that was true, it would be huge.


    She and Herman Salstrom had been wracking their brains for ways to cut Autumn off from her supportwork. They''d even tried fanning the mes between Devin and Autumn, giving them every chance to rekindle their old romance.


    If Autumn got pregnant now, Devin must have had something to do with it.


    Katelyn shrugged. "Maybe. She was throwing up all day yesterday, even ordered a big bowl of sour plum soup to settle her stomach. But honestly, at her age, who knows? It could just be a stomach bug. I''ll give her a call and see."


    Katelyn dialed the number, and Anastasia leaned in, straining to catch every word.<fne9da> Official source is find?novel</fne9da>


    As soon as the call connected, Katelyn''s tone turned syrupy sweet. "Autumn, sweetheart, are you feeling any better today? Still nauseous? Maybe you should see a doctor, just to be safe."


    Autumn was still on her way home. She had zero interest in talking to Katelyn, but until things blew up for real, she had to keep up the act.


    Plus, Katelyn was her only way to get close to Daria and keep tabs on what Anastasia and Herman were up to.


    Of course, Autumn wasn''t about to spill the truth. She brushed Katelyn off with a casual, “I''m alright today, just resting at home. No need for the hospital, but thanks for checking in, Katelyn."


    "As long as you''re okay. But you should really take a test, just in case. Even if it''s just a stomach thing, you should catch it early..." Katelyn kept going—she really could talk your ear off.


    Anastasia listened, her hopes fading. So Autumn wasn''t pregnant after all?


    All that excitement for nothing.


    Still sulking, Anastasia''s phone buzzed-Monica Franco was calling. Monica sounded miserable and wanted to meet for coffee.


    Anastasia told Katelyn she was heading out and left.


    They met at their usual café by the river. When Anastasia arrived, Monica was already there, hunched over her coffee, scrolling through her phone.


    It was a hot day. Anastasia sat down across from her. "You''ve lost weight," she said, a little worried.


    Monica had lost weight, and her skin was breaking out-clear signs she was in a rough patch. Monica never left the house without makeup; she always said going out bare-faced was like walking out naked Today was the exception, which told Anastasia things were really bad. And of course, it had to be about Jason.  s


    Monica set her phone down and forced a weak smile. "Same as usual? Latte?"


    "Yeah," Anastasia said. "I''ll order it myself."


    She waved down a server and ordered her drink.


    Monica sat there, slumped over, clearly waiting for Anastasia to bring up Jason.


    Once that door opened, they''d be there until the café closed.


    This breakup was different for Monica.


    Usually, she''d bounce back in no time and move on to someone new. But this


    time, it was like she''d lost both her heart and her soul.


    Anastasia hesitated. "He... hasn''t tried to reach out?"


    Monica shrugged. "We broke up. Why would he? I blocked his number."


    Anastasia just raised her eyebrows.


    "You''re really not giving him any chance," she said.


    Monica shot back, "How am I not? I blocked his number, but I didn''t move. If he actually cared, he''d know where to find me, right?"


    She hadn''t even changed her door code.


    Let''s be real—almost every woman who blocks her boyfriend''s number is just waving a big red g: I''m angry,e win me back. It''s rarely about actually cutting things off.


    Anastasia gave Monica a long look and sighed. "So what''s your n? Keep waiting? Or are you going to make the first move?"


    Monica stiffened, trying to sound


    tough. "He thinks he''s such a catch? Please. Guys are lining up for me. Who has time to wait for him? If he hasn''te knocking by now he must be fine with the breakup. No way I''m going to beg."  s


    But as she spoke, Monica''s eyes filled up with tears. She grabbed a napkin and dabbed at her face, finally letting the mask drop. "Ana, I


    can''t sleep. Every time I close my


    eyes think about him. I.dream


    about him. I miss him so much. It hurts."  s