LOGINAutumn stood in front of the mirror, straightening out any misalignment on her dress as she let out another sigh. It was the umpteenth time today.She had been melancholic ever since she found out her daughter’s name.For fuck’s sake, she had learned her own child’s name from a plaque.A damn plaque on the wall. And instead of answering her, Eric had thrown her own words back at her.The first thing she did when she got home was search for any grave marked with that name. If Eric didn’t want to tell her where their daughter was buried, she would find it herself.That search led her to one conclusion: either Eric had scattered the ashes, or the remains were currently in an urn with him. The urn made more sense.Still, the thought only made her feel worse. She had never gotten to see what her baby looked like, and this was how she found out the name.“He’s being so unfair,” she whispered, biting her lip to stop herself from crying. She had made a promise not to cry over him anymore.But
Gabriel stood stiffly in the foyer, looking out of place as he waited for Eric to appear.“Gabriel, it’s the weekend. You know my policy about being disturbed on weekends,” Eric said the moment he descended the stairs. “Don’t you have a personal life? What is it?”“It’s very important, sir. We can’t speak here in the open,” Gabriel replied, clearing his throat.Eric studied him for a moment, noticing the way his eyes kept darting around the room.“Alright. My office,” he said, already turning and leading the way.Once inside, Gabriel shut the door and locked it. Eric raised an eyebrow at the behaviour but said nothing. He simply leaned against the desk with his arms folded.“Speak. What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until Monday?”“It’s about Madam, sir.”Eric’s body stiffened at the mention of her name. “What about Autumn? What happened to her?” His voice carried that familiar sharp edge.“It’s not what happened to her,” Gabriel said carefully. “It’s what ‘will’ happen to her.
Sophia walked steadily through the dimly lit hallway. The air smelled of mildew and grime, and she felt a wave of repulsion at her surroundings.*I am doing all of this for a reason.* The words repeated in her head like a mantra.She was doing this for the position of Mrs. Kingston — to stand beside Eric as his wife and the mother of his children. For that dream to become real, Autumn had to disappear.She knew Eric was still hung up on her, no matter how much indifference he displayed.She saw it in the way he surrounded Autumn with round-the-clock security. She saw it in the way he reacted whenever something happened to her. She saw it in the way he tensed when he heard she had been spotted with another man. She saw it in the way he still put her first, even when he pretended not to care.The final proof had been the children’s play centre.She had seen the original plans with her own eyes. The site had been intended for a restaurant or a luxury hotel. Eric had scrapped ever
Sophia was seething.It had only been a few days since Eric ordered the PR team to release that clarification statement — written in the most brutal language possible. She could barely show her face in social circles anymore.Most of her time was spent at the office, burying herself in work. But the moment she left, she drowned her humiliation in alcohol. She turned the situation over and over in her mind, and every time she reached the same conclusion:She didn’t deserve this. None of it was her fault.She had simply loved a man who never loved her back — despite everything she had done to stay by his side.And every path of her rage led back to one name.Autumn Martins.Even though they were divorced, even though Eric was single again, Autumn still haunted her and ruined every chance she had.“Just like *her*,” Sophia spat bitterly, swallowing another mouthful of wine.Her anger hardened into something colder. That was how the plan formed.She spotted the man she had come to see — t
Autumn arrived at the address Gabriel had sent her. It was a children’s play centre.Her expression soured slightly when she realised she hadn’t brought anything for her son.The moment she stepped onto the premises, she noticed the men dressed in black stationed around the area. It wasn’t hard to tell that someone important was inside.*He really pulled out all the stops to make sure nothing happens to him,* she thought, taking in the tight security.*He’s his heir and only child.* She had almost forgotten that crucial detail. Finn was still a Kingston. That was the main reason Eric had demanded sole custody — he didn’t want his son’s life put at risk.And as much as she hated to admit it, he had been right. He had seen a danger she hadn’t fully understood at the time.She showed her ID to the attendant at the door and stepped inside.The place was massive and brightly designed. Laughter and the sound of children playin
Autumn woke up feeling fresh and relieved.Her mood was lighter, more relaxed. She couldn’t help smiling to herself as she ate breakfast.“Good morning, ma’am,” Anita greeted her with a warm smile, immediately noticing the change in her expression. She had to do a double take. This was not the same woman she had left the afternoon before.“Good morning, Anita,” Autumn replied, still carrying that same peaceful look.“Had a good sleep, ma’am?” Anita asked, more out of curiosity than courtesy.“Wonderful rest. I haven’t slept like that in days.”“You look like you did.” Anita gave her a longer look. “You look really good this morning, ma’am. Really beautiful.” She added a small wink before turning back to the counter she was wiping.“Oh—thank you,” Autumn said, a little surprised. A faint blush rose on her cheeks at the compliment.She finished her breakfast in silence while scrolling through her emails. Out of curiosity, she switched to her front camera. She did look better. Her hair s
I had spent the last few days trying to settle into the new house in Edinburgh. On the outside, everything looked perfect. The stone walls were strong, the air was fresh, and we were far away from the chaos of London. But inside the house, a different kind of war was starting.I had tried to get to
Autumn’s POVWe had finally arrived in Edinburgh. After the flight and the long drive from the private airfield, I was physically exhausted. The city was beautiful even in the dark, with its old stone streets and the looming castle in the distance, but I was too tired to truly appreciate
Autumn POVI sat down on the sofa, staring at the TV. A broadcast of an interview was playing on the screen, the bright lights of the television reflecting in my eyes. The words being said echoed in the vast, space of the living room. It felt like the house was too big now, especially with the
We had finally returned home after spending three grueling days at the hospital. The sterile smell of antiseptic seemed to have seeped into my skin, and the constant beep of monitors still echoed in my ears. Finn was much better, his laughter returning as we walked through the front doors of the es







