Chapter 8
At the moment, Autumn was waiting by the roadside for Olivia’s car. She and Damien’s party were about 20 feet apart.
With the darkness and other pedestrians around, one wouldn’t even be able to see her if one weren’t paying close attention.
The moment Barry said her name, everyone turned to look.
Autumn looked at them wordlessly.
Was it awkward? Very.
Even so, the first thing Autumn did was look at Damien’s left hand.
There was a simple yet luxurious, understated men’s ring on his ring finger that accentuated the length of his already long fingers.
Emilia was also wearing one on her finger.
They were clearly a matching set.
Knowing about it and actually seeing it were two very different things. Autumn suddenly felt her throat tighten.
Right then, two beeps caught her attention, and she instinctively looked over.
Olivia’s car had stopped by the roadside. She tilted her head toward the passenger seat, signaling for Autumn to get in.
Without a second thought, Autumn opened the car door, got in, and was gone—all within two seconds.
Barry was stunned. He turned to look at Damien. “Did Autumn just… ignore us?”
She left so decisively and with such a cold expression.
If it were before, she’d never want to leave. She would have done anything to please their group.
Moreover, that cold expression of hers surprised Barry. The woman who had always been invisible now seemed bolder, looking somewhat different from before.
This was just one of the many fights he had seen them have, but there was something odd about Autumn this time, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what.
Damien had looked away ages ago, his voice cold. “Don’t mention her.”
Barry glanced at Emilia.
Emilia didn’t look at Autumn either. She couldn’t have made her indifference more obvious.
It was likely that even if Autumn had really come to celebrate her birthday, Emilia could still maintain her noble composure.
Knowing when to be tactful, Barry said, “Alright, I won’t mention her anymore. I wouldn’t want to spoil the mood.”
He then called for the group and led them into the restaurant.
Autumn’s appearance was just a minor incident that no one really cared about.
The reason being that although they had met Autumn before, they didn’t know her well enough to even greet her, since her quiet disposition had always set her apart from the group.
Besides, they were there to celebrate Emilia’s birthday that night. Who would be stupid enough to interact with Autumn?
Barry was the only one who was close enough to Damien to act so boldly.
If they ever mentioned her, Damien would undoubtedly kill them.
After all, with how much Damien treasured Emilia, one would have to be crazy to upset her.
And as for the elegant, aloof, and poised Emilia, who was also the heiress of the Mason family, she would never give Autumn the time of day.
Doing so would be beneath her, seeing as Autumn couldn’t hold a candle to her.
That was why no one would mention Autumn, and why they all bent over backward to please Emilia.
Yet, Barry didn’t forget to pull Damien aside and whisper, “Did you just see the gift bag Autumn was carrying?”
Just now, Damien had merely glanced at her, so he didn’t notice such little things.
Barry, knowing Damien might get impatient, quickly added, “Remember what I told you about Autumn selling her wedding ring and going to another jewelry store?
“The brand of the gift bag she was holding was the same one as the jewelry store she went to. She probably bought a new diamond ring to reconcile with you. But I guess she couldn’t give it to you with how awkward it was.”
Furrowing his brows, Damien tried to recall what he had seen.
Autumn had indeed had a gift bag in her hand.
He then looked down at the ring on his own ring finger, the one Emilia had given him.
He had already misunderstood once before, but wasn’t it a bit too late for Autumn to try to win him over now, after so many days had passed?
Playing hard to get also had its limits.
Damien remarked with cold indifference, “I don’t have any fingers for it anymore.”
Barry was speechless.
He didn’t have fingers for it anymore?
It wasn’t as if he only had a single finger!
Before Barry could say anything else, Damien had already walked ahead.
Damien didn’t care why Autumn had shown up there or whose car she took to leave.
His most important task that night was to give Emilia a good birthday celebration.
Barry lagged behind the group and, when turning a corner, looked back once more.
Naturally, Autumn was long gone.
Regardless, he was pretty sure the driver was a woman.
That made sense, as Autumn only had eyes for Damien and wouldn’t be interested in any other men.
…
While the car drove steadily forward, Autumn’s mind was blank.
She couldn’t help but compare this birthday to previous ones, and the more she thought, the heavier her heart felt.
After a long pause, Autumn slowly said, “There are 25 days left.”
Considering that Autumn had just seen the man she loved deeply with another woman in person, Olivia had thought that she would cry, complain, or act like a bitter woman from the huge blow.
Olivia didn’t expect her to suddenly say 25 at all.
“25 days?”
Autumn replied, “We’ll be able to finalize our divorce in 25 days and get our divorce certificates.”
Olivia turned to see the determination in her eyes.
Damien was handsome and young at only 28 years old, whereas the Caldwell family had long been one of Havenmoor’s most elite families.
Since he took over Caldwell Group, Damien had carried out major business reforms, leading the company to new heights.
Even now, with affluent newcomers and rising elites constantly emerging in Havenmoor, the Caldwell family still held its place firmly at the top of the city’s social pyramid.
Damien’s poise, intellect, and skills were outstanding among his peers. He was indeed a very attractive man.
It was only natural for women to fall for such a successful man, but all these glories were superficial.
Simply liking his looks and what he had to offer wasn’t enough to make Autumn lose herself completely. Needless to say, something more meaningful had made her fall for him.
Three years ago, after Virginia’s accident, Autumn fell apart and accidentally fell into the sea.
Damien happened to be partying with friends on a yacht when it happened. He rescued Autumn from the water and took her to the hospital, giving her new hope in life.
Olivia could completely understand why Autumn was unable to forget him and move on.
But seeing as Autumn was counting down the number of days until the divorce could be finalized, she now believed this time was different.
Autumn would probably not turn back anymore.
That was a good thing.
Autumn just needed time to adjust. After loving someone so deeply, it wouldn’t be realistic if she could move on immediately.
“Don’t worry about those scumbags for now. Go ahead and open your gift.”
Olivia had been afraid Autumn wouldn’t be determined enough to go through with the divorce, but now she felt much more reassured.
Wanting to distract herself as well, Autumn obediently opened the gift bag. She had expected a necklace, but it was a ring.
There was a pair of women’s rings.
Autumn was a little puzzled. “Why did you give me two rings?”
Olivia quipped, “Don’t be so self-absorbed. I’m not giving you two. These are matching friendship rings. One for each of us.”
Autumn was visibly surprised. “No one actually gives rings to friends, no?”
“You and your stereotypes. Diamond rings don’t only hold meaning when they’re from men. I can give you one too.” She then joked, “The ring mark on your finger is too obvious. Wear this one to cover it up. It might just ward off your bad luck as well.”
After saying that, Olivia waited for Autumn’s response, but she said nothing.
How could Autumn not even say an emotional “thank you”?
She turned her head, only to find Autumn with tears in her eyes.
Olivia had originally wanted to tease Autumn, but seeing how truly sad Autumn was, all she felt was pity and heartache.
She said nothing and continued to drive.
Olivia’s silence allowed Autumn to process her feelings in peace.
After a while, Autumn felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. This was the comfort of a true friend, and as for this gift, it was better than any words of consolation.
While clutching the ring box tightly, Autumn patted the back of Olivia’s hand to reassure her.
…
After dinner, Olivia offered to drive her home. That way, she could also check out Autumn’s new place.
This would be the first time Autumn would have someone over at her new place since moving to Flery Residences, so she decided to let Olivia stay overnight.
But on the way home, Autumn suddenly received a call.
“Autumn, Allen is currently hooked to an IV drip in the hospital. He developed acute gastritis after drinking excessively with a client. Could you come see him?”
