Chapter 3
Damien, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, stood at the café entrance. His refined air and striking physique drew admiring glances from numerous patrons. Beside him stood a neatly groomed man in his early thirties, equally composed. Autumn recognized him instantly: Luther Huffman, a computer science professor at Averpark University. She recalled a recent forum post mentioning his research on data-driven AI reliability. Behind them, Damien’s assistant, Scott Keller, carried a folder. Given Caldwell Group's prominence in Havenmoor's tech sector, Luther was likely there for a business meeting.
Autumn desperately wanted to avoid Damien, but a hasty exit would only attract their attention. She could only hope they wouldn't see her. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side.
Damien spotted her in an instant, his gaze locking onto hers with unwavering precision. Their eyes met, then, as if she were a complete stranger, he coldly looked away. His indifference was palpable. Following his gaze, Scott also noticed Autumn. With the same casual disregard, he said, “The private room is this way, Mr. Caldwell and Professor Huffman. Please, after you.”
Autumn breathed a sigh of relief, only to have the three abruptly halt. Unexpectedly, Luther asked, “Mr. Caldwell, do you know the lady by the window? I apologize for asking, but I couldn't help noticing you and your assistant looking at her.”
Damien had anticipated Autumn's appearance at the company, but he hadn't expected her to be there. While unsurprised, he certainly didn't want to see her. He responded curtly, “She's just a housekeeper.”
Luther was momentarily stunned. His question stemmed not from Damien's observation, but from a memory of seeing her at an Averpark University laboratory. Averpark was a top institution; even its less successful graduates rarely became housekeepers. He was certain the woman he remembered was a prodigy. His lab currently faced a technical hurdle, and this genius could solve it instantly. However, she had vanished mysteriously years ago. Despite researching every graduate student's achievements, none matched his recollection. He believed even a few of her academic papers would've caused a sensation in the field. Becoming the youngest professor and entering the Computer Science Research Institute's Hall of Fame would've been trivial for her. Her future had seemed limitless. With a silent sigh, Luther dismissed his thoughts. He must be mistaken. “Let’s go, Mr. Caldwell,” he said.
Damien entered the private room without another glance. Autumn's fingernails scraped harshly against her cup.
Barry, after visiting their home and sampling her cooking, had once declared he wanted to marry someone with her culinary skills. Damien's blunt response: “So, a female chef is all it takes to satisfy you.” Perhaps, she mused, love truly could make one foolish. At the time, she hadn't given the comment much thought. Now, however, the irony was painfully apparent. Three years of devotion, only to be labeled a chef and housekeeper. A cruel joke.
A wave of intense discomfort washed over her. The belated realization pierced her heart like a thousand needles.
After Damien entered the private room, Scott approached her table. Autumn looked up, startled from her reverie.
With a displeased expression, Scott asked coldly, “What are you doing here? Didn't Mr. Caldwell warn you not to check his whereabouts again?”
During Hank's serious illness, Autumn had been unable to reach Damien, eventually finding him incapacitated at a bar. When she'd tried to help, he'd pulled her onto a couch and passionately kissed her – a shocking yet thrilling experience. However, the next second, he mumbled Emilia's name. Autumn had instantly gone cold, struggling to break free. Upon sobering, he'd unleashed his fury, staying away for a month and threatening divorce, even if Hank intervened. She’d been too afraid to inquire about his whereabouts since.
As Damien's assistant, Scott knew of Autumn's devotion, but sensed a shift. Her previous timidity, her fear of losing Damien's meager favor, was gone. Had something triggered this change? He soon had an answer. “If this is about Ms. Mason’s return, you should reconsider. Think about what she means to Mr. Caldwell. This is pointless.”
Emilia had returned with a Ph.D. and secured a position in Luther's laboratory. Luther was a giant in the field; his researchers were top-tier talent. Emilia's world, Scott believed, was far beyond Autumn's reach. He thought Autumn should know her place, lest she be crushed by the comparison. But she lacked that awareness.
Scott and Autumn had never had a good relationship, a consequence of Scott mirroring Damien's coldness. Autumn had endured his coldness and sarcasm, always remaining polite, her world revolving around Damien. Now, however, she was done tolerating it.
“And what exactly is pointless?” Autumn retorted. “If I were the jealous stalker you claim, wouldn't it be more sensible to follow him secretly all day? Why would I go to this much trouble?”
Scott stared, surprised by her sharpness. When had she become so sharp-tongued? Then it hit him: when Autumn lost her baby yesterday, Damien had been with Emilia. Even the gentlest woman, he reasoned, would react this way after such a loss. But this wouldn't last.
Scott replied impassively, “I don't want to argue. Mr. Caldwell doesn't want to see you. Leave.”
Staying would be futile. There was no need for childishness. “I've divorced Damien. What I do is none of your business.”
Autumn left. Scott, dumbfounded, could only scoff. How ridiculous. Damien had sought divorce countless times; she'd never followed through. Why take it out on him? And her claim was unbelievable; her wedding ring remained on her finger.
…
Later, Autumn texted Olivia: “Let’s meet elsewhere.” She'd planned to go somewhere after meeting Olivia, but couldn't wait.
At a jewelry store, a clerk used a ring cutter to remove her wedding ring. Years of fertility supplements prescribed by her mother-in-law, Linda Pace, had caused weight gain, trapping the ring. The ring, with its few small diamonds, was melted down, yielding less than two thousand dollars.
Olivia, stunned by the paltry sum, burst out laughing. “You actually sold your wedding ring? Your act is convincing.” Given Autumn's behavior over the past three years, Olivia found it hard to believe she’d actually divorced Damien.