Chapter 16

“Isn’t that being disrespectful to her?” Autumn asked.

“She must have her reasons for wanting to see me. Testing the other person is perfectly normal,” Olivia answered. “I have plenty of experience dealing with all types of people over the years. Those unwilling to reveal their names are either an actual big shot like you, or an impostor who only knows how to act the part. I’m 80% sure she’s the latter.”

Since Olivia was more experienced in work politics, Autumn simply nodded in agreement.

Olivia had other plans that evening, so after a quick look around Autumn’s place, she took her leave. Her driver picked her up at the entrance. Autumn followed her downstairs to see her off. Before getting into the car, Olivia said, “Autumn, you have a house, a car, and some savings now. You also have a job you enjoy. Your life is only just beginning. I’m rooting for you, so let’s strike gold together!”

Although there was nothing unusual about Olivia’s words, Autumn felt moved. She was silent for two seconds before answering in an unnaturally serious manner, “Okay, let’s strike gold together.”

Olivia couldn’t help herself and enveloped Autumn in a hug. After she left, Autumn felt carefree. The unhappiness she’d experienced at the racetrack was gone.

In high spirits, Autumn decided to stop by the grocery store to prepare a nice meal.

The elevator doors slid open on the seventh floor. Autumn strolled out, carrying bags brimming with ingredients. There were two residents per floor. She lived in unit No. 1, but she had never met her neighbor.

Her neighbor’s door was open; the occupant was receiving a food delivery. Autumn wouldn’t usually bother them, but she decided to nod a greeting. They were neighbors, after all.

However, when the delivery man turned, Autumn was stunned. Her neighbor was Dawson. Running into him at the racetrack had been a coincidence; she couldn’t believe he was now her neighbor.

Autumn wished it was an illusion, but there was no denying that the man before her was Dawson Faulkner. She gripped her bag tighter.

Back home, Dawson had traded his black coat for cream-colored casual wear. He was over 6’2” with broad shoulders, making even simple clothes look trendy. However, his demeanor was so frigid it made it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze.

Perhaps the unexpected discovery of her neighbor's identity had been too sudden. As a result, Autumn's face remained impassive.

When the delivery man turned and saw Autumn and her bags of groceries, he mistakenly assumed she was the lady of the house. He was awestruck, wondering which celebrity couple he’d stumbled upon. Not only was the man handsome, but the woman was extremely beautiful!

The delivery man said amicably, “Have a good dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner.”

Autumn was speechless. His phone chimed, signaling a new order. Seeing the elevator doors hadn’t closed, the delivery man rushed in and left.

The entire incident happened in a few seconds. Even if Autumn had wanted to explain, she hadn’t had the chance. Such awkwardness was rare for her, churning up complicated feelings in her stomach.

She wanted to explain to Dawson, but when she looked back, the door was already slammed shut. She hadn’t even glimpsed the hem of his shirt. He hadn’t acknowledged her, entirely in keeping with the Caldwells' modus operandi.

Autumn wasn’t bothered by his behavior, though.

The next day was the weekend. Autumn was supposed to return to the Caldwell residence. She hadn’t decided what to do when Hank called, asking how she’d been. His concern was evident as he hoped she would drop by.

Autumn had decided to announce her divorce after obtaining the certificate. Since she hadn’t received it yet, she would continue playing her part. Besides, that was the original plan.

Hank had been coughing on their earlier phone call, so Autumn could also check on him. After all, Hank was the only Caldwell who had been kind to her.

As expected, she received a message from Damien: “Wait for me at the foot of the mountain at 5:30 pm.”

The Caldwell residence was located on a mountaintop on the city outskirts, where the air was freshest and cleanest. Every time they visited, Damien had her wait for him at the foot of the mountain. He would pick her up there, and they would return to the residence together.

It was more convenient for Autumn if Damien picked her up earlier. However, the extra driving distance was too troublesome for him, which is why he always had her wait at the foot of the mountain.

Chapter 16 2/2

By 5:20 pm, Autumn was already at the bus station at the foot of the mountain, ten minutes early.

It had been drizzling all day. The bus station, close to the mountain, was colder than the city. As night approached, the temperature dropped further, and a strong wind picked up.

Ten minutes later, Autumn’s hands and feet were frozen. However, Damien’s car was nowhere in sight. She could only continue waiting.

About five minutes later, headlights cut through the night fog, shining on her. The Caldwells weren’t the only family living on the mountain, so Autumn remained calm. It was a Bentley. Damien drove a Maybach, so the Bentley certainly wasn’t for her.

Perhaps it was the cold, but Autumn had hoped Damien would arrive on time. Her disappointment, fueled by her hopes, left her feeling hollow. She looked at her phone.

Two seconds later, she heard a car slow to a stop. Autumn looked up in confusion and saw a car window winding down, revealing a man's side profile. The man turned to look at her.

Autumn was completely unprepared when she looked into a pair of bottomless eyes. The air seemed to freeze.

“Want a ride?” Dawson’s deep voice reverberated in her ears.

Three years ago, when they’d first met, Dawson had given her the impression of being extremely cold. Their two encounters the previous day had only reinforced that impression.

It was the first time Autumn felt a prickle of fear while interacting with someone. She couldn’t understand Dawson at all, or why he would offer her a ride.

Perhaps he was simply being kind, but the iciness radiating from him was overwhelming. The moment the car window lowered, the cold had assaulted her, making Autumn instinctively want to distance herself from such a dangerous individual.

“Thank you, but it’s alright. I’m waiting for someone,” she said.

Dawson said nothing else before driving away. Another gust of wind blew past her after the Bentley disappeared, making Autumn shiver.

Meanwhile, Damien’s car finally arrived—almost ten minutes late. When the car slowed, Damien didn’t look at her, ignoring her as usual.

Autumn quietly walked around the car. She opened the front passenger door, got in, and buckled her seatbelt. No one spoke a word as the car drove up the mountain. Autumn didn’t try to force a conversation, as she usually would.

Even in the past, car rides together were usually silent. Autumn had long since gotten used to it.

However, today was slightly different.

Damien didn’t like air fresheners in his car; the smell overwhelmed the interior. The car usually had no scent, but today there was the refreshing smell of lilies. Autumn had also noticed a woman’s scarf in the backseat.

Autumn had once left a garment in Damien’s car. He’d called her and told her to remove it immediately or he would throw it away. She had to abide by all his dislikes.

It had only been a week since she’d last seen Damien, but he’d made many exceptions.

Many of Autumn’s colleagues were married. She had once seen a colleague’s husband pick her up. The front passenger seat had been decorated with cute stickers and a sign that read “Wife-Only.”

The husband had even bought delicious snacks and drinks before picking up his wife, so she could relax the moment she got in the car.

Autumn had never experienced such a special moment, or any tender moments supposed to exist between a husband and wife.

The car was halfway up the mountain. Autumn assumed the rest of the journey would be silent when Damien suddenly asked, “Are you close to Dawson?”