The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1021

Given Mr. Walker’s standing, he wasn’t about to make a scene. Even if he caught them red-handed, he’d handle it with icy composure. There was no way he’d march into a hotel with an entourage—he wouldn’t set himself up for that kind of public humiliation.

Clinging to the last scraps of self-control, Mr. Walker called Autumn as soon as he arrived back at the Riverdale house. “I’m home,” he said calmly. “Are you coming back on your own, or should I send someone to pick you up from the hotel?”

It was just past six in the morning, the sky barely brightening.

When Autumn saw his name flash on her phone, her heart lurched, panic washing through her. The shock made her fumble—her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor. That single sentence told her everything: Mr. Walker knew.

He hung up after saying just that.

Autumn’s arms and legs went weak, her heart thudding in her chest. In a frenzy, she shook Devin awake, her voice barely steady. “It’s over, Devin. Mr. Walker knows. He’s back—he knows everything.”

Devin blinked, still half asleep. “Who knows what?”

“Mr. Walker knows about us! He’s home. He knows I’m at the hotel—he even asked if I’m coming back or if he should send someone.”

That snapped Devin awake. “Shit.”

He jumped out of bed, scrambling for his clothes. “What are you waiting for? Get dressed and get home—now. And listen, no matter what Mr. Walker asks, you don’t admit a thing. Even if he suspects, as long as you don’t say it out loud and he didn’t catch us in the act, there’s still hope.”

Devin understood men—he knew exactly how these things worked.

Of course, Autumn didn’t dare admit anything.

Watching Devin button up his shirt, she hesitated, then asked, “If things end between Mr. Walker and me, what about us?”

Devin cut her off, sharp and cold. “There’s no us. Your job is to hold on to Mr. Walker—do whatever it takes to keep your marriage. Our child needs to have his name, you get that?”

In that moment, a deep chill settled in Autumn’s chest. She saw Devin for who he was—using her, never once thinking about a future together.

“Devin, did you ever think about marrying me?” Her anger and bitterness finally spilled over. “Back then, you said I wasn’t good enough and pushed me away. Now you still won’t marry me. You never really loved me, did you?”

He tried to keep his temper in check. “What exactly is your relationship with Devin?”

Mr. Walker believed her about the years apart—she’d spent decades by his side, far from the city.

He slammed his hand down on the table. “Julie is Devin’s daughter. How do you explain that?”

Mr. Walker let out a bitter laugh. “Then why were you at the hotel with Devin? I leave town, and you run to him. You made me a fool, Autumn. Do you know what that does to a man’s pride?”