Chapter t
Christine had a pair of beautiful, almond–shapedeyes that leaned toward the seductive side. Even at ço, she looked barely 50—a classic, elegant beauty
Seeing her long–absent niece, Christine lit up. “When did you get here?”
Autumnreplied, “Tarthed when you were talking about ghing Emilia her birthday present.”
Chisted respond
Antumn kept her even tiedon her, her gane sharp as a line dawn in ink. “Last month was my birthday. Do you remember, Christine?”
Meeting Autumn’s quiet, distant gaze, Christine’s expression faltered for a moment.
Autumn said. “If you really considered it important, no matter how busy you were, you’d remember. Just like me—I remember your birthday.”
Christine’s expression turned cold. “Auninin, what are you trying to say? Are you blaming me?”
Looking at her changed expression Autumn suddenly realized–she was jealous.
she hadn’t felt jealous even when Damien was with Emilia. She had simply accepted it and stepped away after the divorce
for Christine was her eldes, her family, and looked so much like her mother, Virginia. It was only natural to crave some attention and affection from her. Feeling jealous wasn’t too much to ask
And yet, all the did was mention a birthday–she hadn’t even brought up Dumien—and Christine was already upset with her.
Autumn clenched her hands and said softly, “Twant to blame you. But I don’t have the right to.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she inexplicably began to cry
Even though she hadn’t felt he crying her body had reacted before her mind could catch up, triggering a wave of emotion she couldn’t stop,
Maybe it was because she hadn’t seen Christine in a year. Seeing her now reminded her of Virginia, and adding to that, everything with Damien.
Ar this lowest point in her life, to realize Christine caded more about someone else, it was hard not to get emotional.
The more she thought about it, the more the teas came. This time it wasn’t silent. Her whole face crumpled with grievance, lips trembding Christine watched her fall apart and felt like a loule was cutting through her chest
she thought of her older sister, Virginia–driven to madness by a man. She had lost her mind, but at least she was still alive. Then, three years ago, she disappeared, sneaking off to the sea Her body had never been found, but after all this time, it was almost impoble that she was still alive.
Autumn had lost her mother so young, and her father had been unreliable. Life hadn’t been easy for her.
The mate Christine thought about it, the more ber heart ached. She walked over and wrapped her arms around Autumn.
She rubbeder back, trying to confort her.
Autumn’s body went still. The familiar scent on Christine’s clothes filled her nose. It was the hug she had langed for for so long, but instead of joy, all she felt was bitterness.
Sheldon for second, then fed herself to push away.
The sudden rejection left Christine fogen she stared at the coldness in Autumn’s eyes. “Autumn, what’s wrong?
Autumn wiped her tears. She had already calmed down come once a month. Clistine, you come twice a month. And yet, we haven’t run into each other in a year. The fact that we did today
Her voice is so composed, it sounded almost too cational. “Christine, you came here for something, didn’t you?”
Christine stayed sent for a monit, then sand, “You wally are sharp.”
Autumn didn’t react to the complement. “So, aut is a?”
Christine suddenly reached out, pokutu’s hand, and gently patted the back of it. “I missed you. I just wanted to ask how you’ve been. What you’ve been up to?
Autumn replied, “I’ve been doing well”
Christine said. “Why are you acting with me? You don’t look okay like this.”
Autumn looked straight into her eyes “Christine, what do you really want to ask?”
Christine hesitated for a while, then finally spoke. “Twanted to ask about you and Damien ”