Chapter 3

After years apart, the man was just as distinguished and aloof as ever.

If anything, he seemed even more composed and mature now.

Five years ago, when Autumn visited her uncle’s countryside home, he rescued a man who had fallen from a cliff.

That man was none other than Keith Sinclair.

It wasn’t until later that she found out he was a Sinclair—part of the most powerful family in Northhaven.

The Sinclair family was wealthy, influential, and untouchable.

And as the sole heir to the Sinclair family, Keith controlled nearly half the region’s economy.

He was a true prince of power.

Even the headlights shining on him seemed to cast him in gold.

After hanging up the phone, Autumn smiled and greeted him, "It’s been a while. How have you been?"

Keith gave a simple, detached response. "Fine."

Autumn pressed her lips together.

Her cousin really had come a long way.

He actually moved in the same circles as Keith now.

She climbed into the backseat and sat up straight, placing her hands on her knees.

It felt like being a student facing a strict teacher—rigid and alert, afraid one wrong move might get her scolded.

A man like him didn’t need to speak to command a room.

The air in the car was already heavy with silent authority.

When they reached the hotel entrance, Autumn quickly thanked him and opened the car door.

Keith narrowed his eyes slightly.

Was she really that afraid of him?

Inside the elevator, it was just the two of them again.

That invisible pressure returned in full force.

Keith spoke. "How’s your uncle?"

Autumn paused.

Her eyes misted over at his words. "He passed away six months ago."

She tried to keep her voice steady, but there was still a trace of pain.

His death had been sudden. It took her a long time to come to terms with it.

Back then, if her uncle hadn’t taken them in, she and her mother would’ve ended up on the streets.

Keith paused for a moment, his gaze darkening.

He’d been overseas these past few years and had only recently returned, so he wasn’t up to date on what had happened locally.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of regret flickering through them.

He reached out and gently patted Autumn on the head. "My condolences."

Caught off guard by Keith’s gesture, Autumn froze for a few seconds before quickly lowering her head.

The elevator soon reached the third floor.

As they passed by a private room with the door ajar, Autumn came to a sudden stop.

Keith followed her gaze.

Inside, a group of people were laughing and cheering around a large cake on the table.

A man and a woman stood with their backs to them in front of the cake.

The man was putting a necklace around the woman’s neck.

The scene stung Autumn’s eyes.

Her gaze reddened with unshed tears.

Keith looked down at her. "You know them?"

"Yeah."

Autumn took a breath, trying to sound calm. "The man standing there is my husband. The woman is his mistress—the one he’s been hiding away. She’s also my half-sister."

The necklace Julian was putting on Luna had been a limited-edition piece he’d reserved at the jewelry store months in advance.

He’d told Autumn it was a birthday gift for her.

But now, he was giving it to another woman.

How ironic.

People always said dirty laundry shouldn’t be aired in public, but Julian had been fooling around with other women for years.

Everyone around her knew and kept it from her.

Behind her back, she’d become the joke of their social circle.

Her pride had long been crushed.

Besides, the divorce would be finalized in a month, so there was nothing left to hide.

Suppressing the bitterness rising in her chest, Autumn turned her gaze away and walked toward another private room.

Keith’s eyes lingered on her back for a few seconds before he suddenly called out to her.

"Autumn."

Hearing his voice, Autumn turned around to look at him.

"Your uncle may be gone, but I still owe him my life. I’ll grant you one wish," Keith said as he stepped closer, his deep voice sounding above her. "Anything you want."

Autumn’s eyes lit up.

How generous!

The prince really was kind!

She bowed her head slightly in gratitude. "Alright… thank you, thank you."

…

When they entered the private room, Autumn greeted them politely. "Uncle, Aunt, Zack."

Her aunt, Lily Cook, pulled Autumn to sit beside her.

Seeing how much weight she’d lost, she couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Why are you this thin? Have you been skipping meals again because of work?"

Autumn touched her thin face, not sure how to respond.

She really did lose track of everything once she started working.

She often forgot to eat, only realizing it when the hunger turned into stomach pain.

That was why she always carried antacids, popping one whenever it started to hurt.

If it hadn’t been for last week’s check-up, Autumn wouldn’t have known she had stomach cancer.

She had always assumed it was just a chronic gastric problem.

According to the doctor, the cancer wasn’t only caused by her irregular meals and skipping food.

It was also due to long-term emotional stress and depression.

Bottled-up emotions were harmful, especially for a young woman.

She couldn’t afford to hold on to resentment for too long.

Luna’s mother had been the infamous mistress who stole someone’s husband back then, and now Luna herself was following in her footsteps and stealing someone else’s man.

Autumn scoffed at herself.

And she? She’d nearly destroyed herself over that pair of scumbags.

What a fool.

Now, aside from taking her anti-cancer meds, she also had to follow a strict diet, eat on schedule, and keep her mood light.

The moment she stopped caring about those two, even her darkest days felt brighter.

Seeing Autumn remain silent, Lily looked at her with concern. "Autumn, are you listening to me?"

Snapping out of it, Autumn smiled and replied, "Aunt Lily, I’ve been eating well. Maybe it’s just the heat and I’ve been wearing lighter clothes, so I probably look thinner."

At that moment, her uncle, Henry Lewis, handed her a menu. "Autumn, pick whatever you like. Don’t worry about Zack’s wallet. He got promoted today. We’re here to celebrate."

Autumn took the menu. "Congrats, Zack."

Zack smiled and nodded. "Don’t be polite with me. Order whatever you’re in the mood for."

Autumn glanced at the menu and casually picked a few of the cheaper dishes.