For Autumn, this birthday party was nothing short of agony.


    Because of Daria, she couldn''t bear to leave; because of Devin, she didn''t dare stay. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    But what''s meant to happen always finds a way.


    Autumn kept to herself, sitting quietly through lunch, trying to make herself invisible.


    The afternoon rolled in with singing, dancing, cards, and tea. The men wandered off to y ball; the women circled up to gossip about handbags, marriage, and, inevitably, men.


    Despite her title as the mayor''s wife, Autumn didn''t really have anyone she could call a true friend. Most people who came up to her were just looking towork or get in her good graces.


    Anastasia, meanwhile, kept sneaking nces at Autumn. Monica, who could read her like an open book, nudged her. "Ana, you seem distracted. Something up?"


    Anastasia nced again at Autumn''s table. Monica caught the look. "Alright, spill. You''re dying to tell me. What''s the gossip?"


    Anastasia leaned in, her eyes twinkling. "Get this-Autumn and Devin? First loves, back at it again."


    Monica''s jaw dropped. The Walker family''s scandals were even juicier than celebrity gossip.


    And Autumn''s affair was with Devin? That was next-level.


    "Shut up!" Monica could hardly contain herself, her eyes darting between Devin and Autumn. "Ana, how could you keep something like this from me? That''s prime gossip!"


    Anastasia grinned. "I only just found out. Keep it under wraps, okay?"


    "Of course." Monica mimed zipping her lips. "You know I won''t b."


    She knew how serious this was. The mayor getting cheated on was no small thing.


    Just then, Monica''s younger brother Jackson wandered over, curiosity all over his face. "What are youdies whispering about?"


    Monica waved him away. "Girl talk, Jack. Go bother someone else."


    Jackson rolled his eyes at Anastasia. "See what I deal with? Only Jason could put up with her."


    Anastasiaughed. "Everyone''s got their match. Hey, Monica, did they ever catch Alisa?"


    Jackson cut in, "I''ll leave you to it. Got ss this afternoon. See youter, Ana."


    Anastasia smiled. “Alright, take care getting back."


    Jackson gave a quick wave and left.


    Back to business, Monica said, "Alisa''s still hiding out somewhere. She''s slippery, I''ll give her that. After all that went down, catching her isn''t Jason''s job anymore. But honestly, what are the police even doing? Can''t catch one woman?"


    When Alisa''s secrets were exposed, the Brown family''s lies came to light too. The


    police took away their war hero status and cut off everyst benefit they had.


    Anastasia asked, “If they catch her, how long do you think she''ll get?"


    Monica sighed. “If she''d juste clean, maybe six months, a year tops. But now


    that she''s on the run? It''s going to be a lot worse."


    ?.


    Anastasia took a sip of her tea. "It''s human nature, I guess-running from your mistakes." She nodded toward Autumn''s table. "Want to go sit over there?"


    Katelyn was on hostess duty, keeping Autumnpany and pulling a few otherdies into the conversation.


    She tried to get Autumn to y mahjong, but Autumn wasn''t up for it. She just wanted to chat.


    Salma, not really part of the inner circle, stuck close to Pattie. Even though she was married to


    someone on the city council, he


    background made her feel a bit out of ce. Tavon would swing by every so often to chat and make sure Salma wasn''t left out.


    Katelyn, Autumn, and the otherdies were deep in conversation when Anastasia


    walked over, holding Daria, with Monica right behind her.