Devin was ying with fire.


    And he was doing it right under Mr. Walker''s nose.


    Autumn felt like she was unraveling, nerves shot, her heart pounding in her chest. Fear tangled with guilt her husband and her lover, sitting down for afternoon tea together? Who could handle that kind of disaster?


    "Maybe another day," Mr. Walker said smoothly, shing a polite smile as he turned Devin down. "Swallow isn''t feeling well, so I''ll take her home first."


    With Mr. Walker saying that, Devin had no choice but to back off. "Sure, next time."


    But the smile on Devin''s face was smug, almost taunting-a glint in his eyes that said, clear as day: Idiot. I''ve slept with your wife. That''s your green hat now.


    Once Mr. Walker led Autumn out of the hospital and into the car, she finally let out a shaky breath. The knot in her stomach started to loosen.


    Mr. Walker gently squeezed her hand. "The doctor said you''ve been too stressedtely. You need rest. Nothing serious, but you should rx more. Still thinking about making Joseph your godson?"


    "Yeah," Autumn replied quietly. "Honey, can you talk to Feiman again? I''d feel better if it was settled soon."


    Mr. Walker gave her a look she couldn''t quite read. Then, as if it was nothing, he asked, "Alright. By the way, Swallow, you and Devin went to school together, right? Ran into him just now and you looked ufortable. Yet you used to speak up for Julie, even asked me to help her out."


    Autumn''s mind raced, but she answered smoothly, "I just didn''t want to make things harder for you. You''ve worked so hard to get established in Riverdale. The Brown family''s already upset the Salstroms, and now with Devin''s daughter in trouble, I was worried it might affect your career. When I asked you for help, it was because Devin requested it. We''re old ssmates, I couldn''t say no. But in public, I try to keep my distance so nothing reflects badly on you."


    Normally, Autumn would never say anything like this about Devin and his daughter, but she''d say whatever it took now to put Mr. Walker''s mind at ease.


    "Probably for the best," Mr. Walker replied, a hint of something in his tone she couldn''t quite ce. He smiled again. "But really, there''s no need to avoid him on purpose. Just be yourself."


    Thatst line—just be yourself-left Autumn a little confused. She forced a smile, still feeling like her nerves were shot after today''s emotional rollercoaster.


    At least Anastasia hadn''t made a scene, but her own secret had almoste crashing down.


    The birthday party finally wrapped upte that night.


    There were two parts: a lunch and then a dinner.


    By ten o''clock, when it was all over, Pattie walked Justin out to say goodbye. She''d overheard him telling Layna earlier that he''d be heading back to Hong Kong the next day, and wanted to ask when he''d be back in Riverdale.


    But with no pen or paper, her signnguage just left Justin confused. Her pride kept her from trying again, so she simply waved at him.


    Justin waved back. "Goodbye, Paradise. I''lle to Riverdale again at the end of the year."


    Hearing that he''d return made Pattie beam, her eyes curving into little crescents. She nodded, maybe a little too hard.


    Justin smiled and got into the car with Jonah.


    As the car rolled away, Jonah sighed. "Herman''s eldest daughter-such a shame she can''t speak. She''s bright and clever, though, and she''s got backbone. No one''s going to take advantage of


    her."


    Justin said, "Medicine''se a long way. Maybe Paradise''s voice can be healed someday."


    Even as he talked with his father, Justin was busy on his phone, sending off a message: Find me a signnguage tutor.


    "Get some rest tonight. We''re leaving for Hong Kong early tomorrow," Jonah said. "You head back to the hotel first-I''m stopping by the Stranz house."


    "For Layna, right?"


    "Yeah. After what happened with the kids today, there''s bad blood


    between the Salstroms and the


    Stranzes. Herman''s really protective.


    Luckily, Scott backed down, or


    things could have gotten ugly."


    Jonah dropped Justin off at the hotel and drove over to the Stranz home.


    Once there, he learned that Scott really had sent Layna off to St. Andrew''s Academy.


    Juliana was still arguing with Scott about it.


    The Stranz house was in chaos, while over at the Salstroms'', everyone called it


    an early night after such a long day.


    Anastasia soaked in a hot bath, then


    stretched out on the bed, eyes closed. "Finally, some peace. All things considered, today went well. Herman, we haven''t been out for karaoke in ages. If it wasn''t sote, I''d drag you out right now. Are there any holidaysing up?"


    There was nothing like a holiday night out with friends belting out songs.


    Herman, freshly showered, towel around his neck and robe a bit loose, sat down


    on the bed, looking cool and collected.


    "Qingming Festival''s next," he said.


    Anastasia made a face. "Well, that''s not exactly festive."


    Herman grinned. “April Fool''s Day, then?"


    Anastasia burst outughing. "Now that''s more like it!"