The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1187

Mr. Walker drove through the night to Haven City to pick up Autumn.

When he got there, Pete had already brought Autumn to the lounge and was busy chatting her up, trying to get her to spill her secrets. The second Autumn saw Pete, she knew things had gone south.

So when Mr. Walker walked into the police station, Autumn wasn’t even surprised. She’d braced herself for this.

She clung to her son, eyes wary as she watched Mr. Walker, afraid his anger might turn on the boy.

“Mr. Walker,” Pete greeted him with a slick smile, “looks like we’ve had a little family mix-up here. The officers didn’t realize Mrs. Walker’s identity, just following procedure. That’s how this whole misunderstanding happened.”

Mr. Walker’s stare was icy as he looked at Autumn, but then he switched to his professional smile and nodded politely at Pete. “Deputy Liang, I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s all water under the bridge now,” Pete replied, his smile full of hidden barbs. “Mr. Walker, can we talk for a minute?”

Mr. Walker knew Pete wasn’t about to pass up the chance to rub salt in the wound, but he had to see what Pete was up to.

Pete led him into the office and handed over Autumn’s statement, putting on a show of sympathy. “Have a look, Mr. Walker. Man to man, I really feel for you.”

Mr. Walker had prepared himself for a lot of things, but he never imagined Autumn would actually admit, in writing, to her relationship with Devin—and openly say the child wasn’t his.

Did he even matter at all?

When he finished reading, Mr. Walker’s face was stone gray with anger. He clutched the papers so tightly they almost tore, feeling every inch of his pride being ground into the dirt.

Pete saw the color drain from Mr. Walker’s face and felt a grim sort of satisfaction. If Mr. Walker was miserable, Pete was having a great night.

“Try not to take it too hard, Mr. Walker,” Pete said, voice dripping with fake concern while he practically smirked. “It’s late. Why don’t you take your wife and the kid home? It’s chilly out, and the little guy shouldn’t be dragged around like this.”

The assistant stepped forward and pulled the boy from Autumn’s arms. The child woke up and began wailing, each cry tugging at Autumn’s heart.

“Mr. Walker, where are you taking him? He’s just a kid! If you’re angry, take it out on me—don’t hurt him!” Autumn pleaded, grabbing Mr. Walker’s arm.

Mr. Walker was furious. “Autumn, do you have any idea how much you’ve embarrassed me? Do you even remember who you are? You’re my wife! You betrayed our marriage and I swallowed it. You had another man’s kid—I put up with that too. But now you’ve gone public with it, run off to Haven City to mourn Devin—Autumn, you really take the cake! What does that make me?”

He had never lost his temper like this before. In his career, he and Pete had always been fierce rivals beneath a layer of fake politeness. Until today, he’d always had the upper hand, but tonight, Pete had stomped his pride into the ground.

Autumn’s face was ghostly pale, but Mr. Walker’s anger only grew hotter.

“Autumn, I’m your husband! You’re the mayor’s wife! If you don’t care about your reputation, at least think about mine!” His voice shook with rage. “By tomorrow—no, by tonight—everyone in Riverdale will know I’ve been made a fool of, raising another man’s child. How am I supposed to show my face again?”