The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1023

Autumn quietly laid out Julie’s story, telling everything about her own past with Devin as well. She held nothing back—except for one thing: the supposed affair in the hotel. On that, Autumn was unwavering.

She insisted she’d only been at the hotel to look after Devin, who was falling apart, and she’d done it out of respect for her late daughter. That was all there was to it.

Mr. Walker believed her when it came to Julie. With Autumn’s temperament, if she’d ever known Julie was her own daughter, there’s no way she would have done nothing all these years.

Mr. Walker’s tone turned serious. “You care so much about Daria. Is it only because she’s your granddaughter? You know Julie went to prison for Grannie Anita’s murder. And what about Katelyn? Why are you so close to her? Is it all for Daria, or is there something more?”

“It’s because of Daria,” Autumn cut in sharply. She’d never admit she wanted justice for her daughter, or that she was out for revenge against the Salstrom family.

“Daria grew up without a mother. It’s pitiful. And Joseph—he’s always been a womanizer. I already let Julie down. I want to make it right for Daria.” Her voice trembled. “We’ve been married for decades. When I married you, we had nothing, and I stuck by you through it all. After everything, can’t you give me just a little trust?”

Mr. Walker didn’t know what to believe. Two people, alone in a hotel room—it was hard to swallow.

Seeing him hesitate, Autumn decided to go all-in. “Let’s go to the hospital right now. We’ll get an amniocentesis and a paternity test. If the baby’s yours, maybe then you’ll finally believe me. But if you need a test to believe me, then we’re done. I’m going to change, then we can go.”

Mr. Walker was floored. “Autumn—”

But she stormed upstairs, too angry to listen.

Autumn’s open willingness to do the paternity test won back a sliver of trust. Mr. Walker had considered it, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Saying it out loud would be the end of them.

Now that Autumn had brought it up herself, he was the one who hesitated.

He thought back over the years, remembering how Autumn had stuck with him through poverty and hardship. His feelings were a tangled mess.

While he wrestled with himself, Autumn came downstairs, already dressed, her face set. “Let’s go. Even if you want a divorce, even if you want to throw me away, I’ll prove my innocence.”

“Autumn…” Mr. Walker started, but she was already out the door.

She climbed into the car and waited, hands clenched, betting everything that Mr. Walker wouldn’t go through with it.

Neither of them spoke. Asking for a paternity test was embarrassing enough, especially for someone in Mr. Walker’s position.

Inside, Mr. Walker put on a mask and signed in at the front desk like any ordinary person. He didn’t use his title.

It was early, so the hospital was quiet. They didn’t have to wait long before Autumn was called in.

The head of OB-GYN didn’t recognize Autumn or realize she was the mayor’s wife, so she just followed protocol.

“Doctor, can we do a paternity test now? I heard amniocentesis can do that,” Autumn asked.

Autumn’s eyes were red, her voice soft and hurt. “Yes. A paternity test.”