Chapter 10
When Autumn heard the word “pregnant”, her heart clenched.
The miscarriage had been the most painful lesson of her loveless three-year marriage. She hadn’t even told Oliver about it—she wanted as few people as possible to know.
Britney’s sudden revelation tore open that wound, and Autumn’s fingers trembled slightly at her side.
But Britney didn’t notice it. “Please, I know exactly what kind of person you are. If you really were pregnant, you’d be shouting it from the rooftops, using the baby to secure your spot as Ms. Caldwell. If it were true, you wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret for even a second.”
Britney had humiliated Autumn many times before for not being able to have children.
Autumn had endured it—because she’d wanted a child too.
But now, she couldn’t take it anymore. “Since you already know, why bother asking? Move.”
“Oh, that got to you? What if I told you Damien just threw Emilia a birthday party? Bet that’d drive you crazy.”
Damien had spoiled Britney all her life, and the thought of another woman taking him away was unbearable to her.
But if she had to choose a sister-in-law, Emilia was light years ahead of Autumn.
Emilia didn’t just come from a prestigious family; she was also a top-tier tech talent. Rich, beautiful, and incredibly accomplished, she had always stood out.
In addition, Emilia had a wide range of hobbies: racing, rock climbing, skiing, surfing… There was hardly anything she couldn’t do.
Britney admired a bold and free-spirited life. Emilia’s talent impressed the older generation, but it was her effortlessly cool hobbies that truly struck a chord with someone young like her.
Three years ago, Emilia even went abroad to pursue her career.
In Britney’s eyes, only a woman as exceptional as Emilia was worthy of Damien.
And Autumn? All she knew was how to cook—what was the difference between her and a nanny?
How could she ever compete with Emilia?
Luckily, Damien treated Autumn the same way she did—like she didn’t matter. In the three years they had been married, Britney had never once seen Damien celebrate Autumn’s birthday.
Then there was the surprise he threw for Emilia—the party decorations, the handmade gift, the guest list full of Havenmoor’s most influential people… It was evident that he had put so much thought into it.
Even Britney hadn’t received a single handmade gift from Damien since she’d become an adult.
It was clear to Autumn that Britney was just bored and looking for an excuse to humiliate her. There was nothing left to say.
With a cold expression, she stepped around her to leave.
But Britney grabbed her wrist.
“Let go.” Was this spoiled princess ever going to stop?
Britney didn’t expect Autumn to stay so composed, so she dropped the act. “Came to bring your brother some money, didn’t you?”
Autumn’s eyes widened slightly.
Britney chuckled like a prank had landed perfectly. “I saw you ages ago. When I asked what you were doing at the hospital just now, I was totally messing with you. Don’t be mad, my dear sis-in-law.”
So, she really had come just to humiliate her.
Britney didn’t understand the coldness in Autumn’s eyes. “You’re spending the Caldwell family’s money, and you still think you have the right to give me attitude?”
Autumn replied coldly, “That’s my money.”
Britney was unconvinced. “You? A broke woman whose food, clothes, and every little expense are all paid for by the Caldwell family? Where would you get any money? From your little secretary job? That’s a joke.”
Then she scoffed indifferently. “Look, I’m not going to make a fuss about you secretly using Damien’s money to support your family. Everyone’s got a few poor relatives. It’s understandable to mooch a little now and then.
“It’s just pocket change—the Caldwell family can afford it. But don’t let it happen again. Or I’ll tell Damien.”
Autumn frowned.
Britney knew that threatening to tattle to Damien always worked like a charm—it never failed.
From the look on Britney’s face, she was already expecting Autumn to flatter and beg like she used to.
But Autumn wasn’t that person anymore. She pulled her wrist free with a slight tug and said flatly, “You’re overthinking it. Damien and I no longer have anything to do with each other.”
Britney burst out laughing. “Please. Everyone knows you cling to him like a leech. If you really left Damien, I’d take your last name.”
Hearing that, Autumn suddenly felt calm.
Since she was divorced from Damien now, how the Caldwell family members viewed her no longer mattered.
Continuing to get tangled up with them, trying to prove herself, would only drain her and trap her in a pointless cycle.
Besides, a few words would never change the prejudice in someone’s mind.
If explaining made no difference, then there was no need to explain at all.
The emotional turmoil she’d just felt was only because of the miscarriage.
After calming down, Autumn looked at Britney with indifference. “Whatever you say.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Britney staring at her cold, distant back.
Britney hadn’t expected that reaction, and her expression darkened. “What an act.”
She was at the hospital with a friend. The friend, holding a prescription, followed her gaze. “Who was that?”
“A dog the Caldwell family raised,” Britney replied with pure disdain.
“Oh? You got bitten by a dog?”
Britney scoffed. “As if a dog would bite its owner. No matter how many times you kick it, this one just won’t leave. It’s annoying.”
She had heard from Scott that Autumn had gone off the rails with jealousy ever since Emilia returned from abroad.
On the surface, she was making a big show about wanting a divorce, but behind the scenes, she was secretly tracking Damien’s every move.
It was the classic “play hard to get” tactic—no wonder she had the nerve to act so smug.
But no matter what Autumn did, it was all just a joke.
Britney quickly pushed Autumn out of her mind and left with her friend.
Then Damien called.
All the irritation Autumn had caused vanished instantly as Britney cheerfully answered, “Hey, Damien! What’s up?”
Damien’s voice was low and heavy. “He’s back.”
“He’s back?” Britney froze.
A tall, stern figure flashed through her mind. Her whole body stiffened, and even her breathing quieted.
Damien’s tone was grim. “Grandpa made the call. There will be a family gathering at the Caldwell residence this weekend. If you don’t want to see him, leave town now. I’ll cover for you.”
A wave of emotion washed over Britney.
She knew Damien would always protect her.
In fact, that man could be considered another one of Britney’s older brothers, but their relationship was worse than that of strangers.
The first time she saw him as a child, his sharp gaze was cold and unyielding. His presence was like raw iron chilled in the dead of winter—just one look was enough to make her hair stand on end.
Britney had burst into tears on the spot, so terrified that she developed a lasting fear and never dared speak more than a word to him.
So many years had passed, yet she was still afraid of him.
Admitting that, however, felt humiliating.
Determined to overcome the fear, Britney forced down her guilt and muttered, “It’s been like forever since I last saw him. I’m not scared.”
Damien had only called to inform her. What she chose to do was her decision. After saying what he needed to, he prepared to hang up.
“Wait, Damien.”
“What is it?”
Britney wanted to test him. “I saw Autumn at the hospital. I’m not sure if she’s sick or something. Maybe you should check on her?”
Damien cut her off coldly, completely uninterested. “If there’s nothing else, you should go home early.”
The line went dead.
“Damien’s reaction didn’t surprise me at all,” Britney muttered to herself.
Although she had always known, getting confirmation that Autumn meant nothing to Damien instantly made her happy.
After all, she didn’t like Autumn either.
Autumn got back into the car.
Olivia was on the phone with a colleague. As the CEO of a tech company, she was always busy. So, the fact that Olivia made time to celebrate her birthday filled Autumn with gratitude and warmth.
When she saw her return, Olivia wrapped up the call after a few words and asked with concern, “How’s your brother?”
Autumn replied, “He’s fine. He’ll survive.”
Olivia teased with a grin as she started the car, “You came out so quickly. Did he refuse to see you?”
Autumn hadn’t expected her to notice and sighed. “He holds grudges.”
Olivia looked genuinely relieved. “Thank God I don’t have a brother like that. I’d probably live ten years less.”
Autumn was left speechless.
She changed the subject. “What were you talking about just now?”
Olivia replied, “A colleague from work wants to introduce me to a senior alumna from Averpark University. She’s got a PhD, just returned to the country, and is a top talent in the AI industry.
“But honestly, no matter how top-tier she is, she’s not as impressive as you. Whether I meet her or not doesn’t really matter.”
“Well, she’s at least an alumna. You should meet her,” Autumn said.
“Alright, I’ll set up a time to meet her—probably not for another two weeks though. I’m pretty busy,” Olivia said.
She was efficient and quickly confirmed the meeting time with her colleague.
Just before hanging up, she suddenly remembered to ask, “By the way, what’s this senior’s name?”
Hearing the question, Autumn glanced over at her.
