Chapter 5: Enemies, Allies, and Unexpected Blessings

Women can be ruthless—sometimes even with themselves. I keep telling myself I don’t like Nathan. I only agreed to be his girlfriend to know my enemy and win.

But feelings have a way of growing roots.

I wake up in the hospital. Nathan’s asleep by my bed, lashes casting shadows. He looks so peaceful, so real.

“You’re awake!” He hugs me tight, like I might disappear. There’s no darkness in his eyes now—just honesty.

“Where’s Sierra?” I remember the night, panic creeping in.

Just then, Sierra appears at the door, arms full of flowers and a lunchbox. Of course. Why does she always walk in when we’re hugging?

Soap-opera law, I swear.

I push Nathan away, cheeks burning. “Uh, go get me a coffee.”

“Okay.” He pats my head and leaves. I notice he’s limping, a bruise on his neck. Did he get hurt saving me?

“Thank goodness you were there. Thank you, Autumn.” Sierra sets down the flowers and hugs me. She’s different now—open, chatty, telling me every detail about how Nathan saved us.

She says she thought I was a spoiled princess, but now she knows better.

She says she was worried when she realized Nathan liked me, but saw I was genuinely good.

She says if I don’t mind, she wants to be friends, learn piano, teach me to dance.

She says she’ll bring me homemade soup every day until I’m better.

She says so much—about her illness, her dreams. She’s like a sweet little sister, heart wide open.

“If you really want to thank me, there’s something you have to promise.”

“What?” Sierra blinks.

“I’ll pay for your treatment. It’s a loan—study hard, pay me back someday.” I’m dead serious.

Sierra just stares, stunned. Then… she cries. Again.

Outside, Nathan stands with coffee, something in his eyes softening. His hands clench, then relax.

Nathan comes back in after Sierra leaves, arms full of toiletries, being extra gentle.

As he helps me to the bathroom, we run into my parents.

“Autumn! Are you okay?” Mom hugs me, sobbing.

Dad’s sizing up Nathan, eyes sharp.

Nathan’s face goes cold. Our eyes meet—tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

Oh no. Here we go.

My heart’s pounding, palms sweaty.

In the novel, Dad hates Nathan—thinks he’s a gold-digger, schemer, you name it. Every meeting is a humiliation.

This is the grudge Nathan never lets go—fuel for his revenge.

I have to stop this.

“Dad, I need to talk to you.” I try to drag him away.

“Don’t fuss. This is Nathan Pierce, right? The guy who saved you?” Dad brushes me aside and—wait, what?—pats Nathan on the shoulder.

I…

Nathan looks stunned, too.

“I’ve heard what happened. Thank goodness you were there. Otherwise—” Dad’s voice breaks.

I…

Suddenly, everyone’s chatting like old friends. It’s weirdly cozy, but my nerves are still shot.

In the story, Nathan blames the Caldwell family for his parents’ deaths. Caldwell Holdings invested in Monroe Group, lost big, and Nathan’s family paid the price. The Caldwells bounced back. Nathan never let it go.

It’s not fair. I hear his words in my head—every time he takes revenge, like a knife to the heart.

It hurts.

“Son, what do you want? Name it—I’ll agree to anything,” Dad says, all business.

“No!” I cut in.

“Why not?” All eyes on me.

“Because he’s… he’s…” I’m sweating, desperate.

Nathan grabs my hand, turns to my parents, serious as ever.

“Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, I’m Nathan Pierce, Autumn’s boyfriend. I don’t want anything—this is just what I should do.”

Dad and Mom both freeze, jaws on the floor.

Classic. Poor guy, rich girl—everyone thinks he’s after something.

My heart’s thumping. I’m terrified my parents will say something that’ll set him off.

But Dad recovers, pats Nathan’s shoulder, and says, “Good kid! Show us you can make Autumn happy in three years, and we’ll give you our blessing.”

“Okay,” Nathan says, steady as ever.

Wait, what just happened?

My parents are smiling, and suddenly I feel like I’ve been sold. In the original, Nathan snuck around until Dad found out and all hell broke loose.

Turns out, a different entrance changes everything. Sometimes, with the right timing and the right person, things really are simple.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. For once, life is actually on my side.