Rowan had been taken away by Asher. He was still recovering, and Hanna was beside herself with worry.


    After pacing the floor and weighing her options, Hanna realized she had no choice but to turn to Anastasia for help.


    Anastasia owed Rowan a huge favor. When Hanna broke the news, Anastasia''s heart clenched tight. "What happened? Just breathe and tell me everything, okay?"


    "It was just now-Asher came and took him. I think it''s about the chip..."


    At the mention of the chip, Anastasia shot a nce at Herman.


    Herman spoke up. "I gave the chip back to him. I never looked at what was on it, but it must have something to do with Asher. The way Asher bounced back so fast these past few years-he had to have taken a few shortcuts."


    "Is Rowan really turning in his own family?" Anastasia''s voice shook.


    Whatever the reason, she knew she had to repay her debt to Rowan.


    Neither of them touched their bowls of wonton soup. As soon as the call ended, Herman pulled out his phone and called Dailey, ordering him to track down Rowan''s whereabouts.


    Meanwhile


    At the Walker house.


    Autumn had just dropped Daria off and returned home with Mr. Walker. He dismissed his assistant, the bodyguards, and even the housekeeper, leaving just the two of them. Then he said, "Swallow, let''s go upstairs."


    "Swallow?—that was what Mr. Walker used to call Autumn when they were young. She hadn''t heard that nickname in years; it caught her off guard, making her feel both nostalgic and a little anxious.


    Back in their room, Autumn fell into old routines, helping Mr. Walker out of his coat. "Want me to run you a bath? Might help you unwind."


    "I''m too tired for all that," Mr. Walker said with a long sigh. "Back in the old days, out on the dam with the crew, we''d stand watch for days on end-no showers, sometimes not even a sip of clean water. Now, look at this ce-everything''s spotless, even the air smells nice."


    Autumn nced over, trying to read his mood. "Well, if you''re tired, you should rest."


    Mr. Walker settled heavily on the couch. "Swallow, look at us. We''ve got this big house, but sometimes it feels emptier than ever. We''re both over fifty now. No kids, no grandkids. Give it another twenty years, who''s going to take care of us then?"


    Autumn sat down beside him, quietly waiting for him to continue.


    He turned to her. "You like that kid, don''t you?"


    "I do," Autumn answered without hesitation. "She''s adorable. I feel a connection to


    her. It gets lonely-having a child around makes things brighter."


    "But she''s a Salstrom," Mr. Walker said. "Heard she''s Joseph and Julie''s girl. Julie... she''s a criminal. Cold, ruthless-they say she murdered Grannie Anita.”


    Autumn''s face clouded. "No one''s born a criminal. Nobody chooses that kind of life if they have another way out."


    "People are born good, Swallow. It alles down to choices." Mr. Walker''s voice was stern. "But Julie killed someone. That''s fact. She''s gone now, and you shouldn''t get mixed up with any of that."


    Autumn''s heart dropped, guilt and shock swirling inside.


    Mr. Walker took a sip of his tea. "We''ve just gotten our footing here in Riverdale, but there are eyes


    everywhere. The Salstroms haven et


    influence too. If we push them too far, it won''t end well for anyone. Do you understand?"


    Autumn avoided his eyes, mumbling, "I just like the kid. I''m not trying to cause trouble."


    She yed dumb.


    But Mr. Walker pointed upstairs. "What did you stash in the attic?


    Who did you have Ben get out of


    prison for you? Swallow, nothin


    stays hidden forever. We''re


    married-you shouldn''t keep secrets from me. Wasn''t it strange, Ben dying so suddenly? And the


    Salstrom family''s youngdy getting kidnapped, those four men ending up dead in the cave-isn''t that all true?"


    Autumn''s face went pale. She''d always thought her husband was too busy with work to pay attention to her affairs.


    She had no idea that, despite everything, his biggest worry-and his deepest regret was always her.


    Autumn stared at him, terrified and guilty, her voice caught in her throat.


    With just one look at her, Mr. Walker knew things were far worse than he''d imagined.


    "Swallow, tell me honestly-why did you do it? How could you get involved in something so cruel?"