Chapter 7
Autumn didn’t like talking about her private affairs, but since Yvonne was genuinely worried about her, she gave a brief explanation. “We’re already divorced.”
Yvonne was utterly shocked. “You two actually got divorced? But you love him so much…”
Autumn replied calmly, “Yeah, we’re divorced.”
It didn’t take long for Yvonne to accept this news. She could completely understand Autumn’s decision.
It was simple. Damien just didn’t love Autumn. All of his double standards didn’t need much justification beyond that.
“…Will Mr. Caldwell really marry Ms. Mason?” Yvonne quickly realized that she was being too forward and apologized, “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. Just pretend you didn’t hear that…”
Autumn merely answered, “I don’t know.”
She had tried to get Damien to feel something for her for three years and failed, so how could she possibly know what he was thinking?
With nothing else to say, they ended the call.
Autumn began thinking about Emilia.
She had actually met Emilia before she met Damien.
But it wasn’t until after she married Damien that she learned Emilia was his first love, the one who had always had a special place in his heart.
Her connection to Emilia was complicated.
Simply put, it had to do with her aunt, Christine Green.
After what happened to Virginia, Darius settled overseas, and Christine took over the family business that Autumn’s grandfather had built from the ground up.
Then, for some inexplicable reason, Christine fell head-over-heels in love with Emilia’s father.
Emilia’s mother had passed away early, leaving behind three children, but Christine still insisted on marrying into the Mason family.
And that was how Christine became Emilia’s stepmother.
Back then, the Mason family ran a small, insignificant business in Havenmoor. Christine poured all her business resources into helping them, which eventually led to the creation of the present-day Mason Group.
After several years of work, the Masons finally had a seat among the elite families in Havenmoor, and Emilia became a true heiress of a prestigious family.
Before Virginia’s accident, Autumn had been very close to Christine. Even after Christine’s marriage, they would often meet.
Autumn had once seen Christine as a mother figure, but after marrying Damien, Christine’s attitude toward her turned cold.
There were years when they didn’t even see each other once.
Autumn had initially assumed it was because Christine had her own family now and didn’t have the time or energy to care for a niece.
She was saddened and helpless for a while, but eventually learned to accept and understand Christine’s choice by keeping her distance.
In hindsight, Christine’s change in attitude wasn’t just because she was starting a new family, it was also related to Autumn’s marriage to Damien.
Olivia’s call broke Autumn’s train of thought. “Are you free Wednesday night?”
“I am.” Autumn was good at controlling her emotions, so her tone sounded completely normal. “What’s up?”
“Let’s meet at the Havern Restaurant. My treat.”
…
With the CEO of Westgate Group returning to the country soon, Autumn had to work overtime the entire week.
By the time Wednesday rolled around, Autumn didn’t arrive at the Havern Restaurant until 8:00 pm.
Just as she arrived at the entrance, she saw Olivia storming out of the restaurant with a sour expression.
“What happened to you?” Autumn asked.
Olivia gritted her teeth, uttering, “I wanted to give you a proper belated birthday celebration, but some asshole had the whole place reserved.”
So, this was supposed to be a belated birthday dinner for her?
Olivia had invited her out for her birthday earlier that year.
But that day, Autumn had just discovered she was pregnant. She’d been ecstatic and wanted to surprise Damien with the news on her birthday, so she’d declined Olivia’s invitation.
Back then, Damien had promised he’d be home early, but he was still nowhere to be found even when it was already past midnight, and when she called, it was Barry who answered.
Only then did she learn Damien had gone out drinking with friends and completely forgotten her birthday.
The next day, Autumn couldn’t bear it any longer and sent him a message, asking if he remembered what day it was yesterday.
She waited an entire day before Damien replied.
Autumn had been so excited while she unlocked her phone to read the message.
As long as he remembered, that alone would be enough to make her happy.
But all the message said was, “I’ll be home at eight. Have dinner ready.”
Reading the message, Autumn felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her.
She’d seen such messages far too many times in the three years they were married.
Sure, he replied. But it was more like a boss giving instructions to a subordinate.
Moreover, he wouldn’t even acknowledge the message she’d sent.
Only someone who completely disregarded her could treat her like that.
That day, Autumn told herself not to expect anything for her birthday anymore and to treat it like any other day. There was no need for elaborate celebrations.
Therefore, she never expected Olivia to go out of her way to give her a belated birthday celebration.
Autumn was deeply moved, even if she wasn’t one to show emotions outwardly.
With a calm expression, she merely said, “I’m touched.”
“Why would you be touched? I didn’t even make a reservation…”
After she was done grumbling, she felt bad for Autumn.
“Forget it. This is my fault. I should’ve booked a table in advance. Who knew it would be booked out today? This place usually has a lot of empty tables.”
As she spoke, she handed Autumn a small gift bag.
Accepting it, Autumn asked, “What’s this?”
“Your birthday present. Just hold onto it for now. Go wait by the road, and I’ll bring the car around. We’ll go somewhere even better to eat.”
With that, Olivia headed to the parking lot.
Autumn watched her walk away with her usual flair, then looked down at the gift bag in her hand.
The logo on the bag belonged to a jewelry brand. She had visited this store with Olivia the day she sold her wedding ring.
She peeked at the square box inside and assumed it was probably a bracelet or something similar.
So, Olivia had been secretly planning a belated birthday celebration for her since that day?
Before, Olivia acted like she hadn’t even wanted to eat with her, yet she was this thoughtful.
As another wave of emotion swept over Autumn, she couldn’t help but smile.
It was the first time in days that she had felt genuinely happy, but her good mood didn’t last long.
“Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Mason, Mr. Walters, this way, please!”
Autumn had just reached the roadside when she heard the commotion.
She recognized those last names but didn’t think there would ever be such a coincidence.
Yet, when she turned, she saw Damien and Emilia walking side by side, surrounded by Barry and a group of people, heading toward the restaurant.
Damien and Emilia, who were both good-looking and in the center, looked like they were a match made in heaven.
As they walked, Damien looked at Emilia a few times, his gaze filled with a tenderness Autumn had never seen before.
Autumn’s pupils contracted, and she involuntarily took a step back.
The manager of the Havern Restaurant greeted them in his uniform. “Mr. Caldwell, everything is ready. We were just waiting on you.”
Emilia turned toward Damien upon hearing that. “What did you prepare?”
Damien replied gently, “You’ll see.”
Emilia, clearly intrigued, asked Barry. “Since he won’t tell me, you tell me.”
Barry wasted no time in betraying Damien. “You asked the right person. I came to check out the venue before this. Damien knew you liked white, so the whole restaurant is decorated in white.
“Even I was touched by the effort.”
Damien coldly snapped, “Shut up.”
Emilia was amused. “Keep going. I want to hear.”
Barry continued, “He knows you like lilies too. He made a bouquet by hand and had a one-of-a-kind lily necklace custom-made just for you…”
Damien tried to stop Barry from talking, but he was prepared.
He sidestepped quickly, only to spot a familiar figure and freeze. “Autumn?”
