Chapter 6: Death, Betrayal, and a Deadly Warning

In October, the Hawthornes and Langleys had a string of dinners. Just as Sebastian’s engagement was about to be announced, disaster struck. Of course.

The Langley daughter, Charlotte, was kidnapped on her way home from church.

The Langleys were frantic, searching quietly to avoid scandal.

Two days later, Charlotte returned, clothes torn, mind foggy, muttering, "I just want to go home."

A kind stranger helped her, and word spread—Charlotte had been violated and left on the street. Gossip spreads fast.

The Langleys were disgraced.

After regaining her senses, Charlotte, overwhelmed by shame, hanged herself that night.

When I heard, I was sipping herbal tea sent from home.

I froze, dropped the cup, and it shattered.

"What's wrong, Autumn? Is the tea not to your taste?"

My younger sister, Mariah, saw my face and thought it was the tea.

"I'm just feeling for Charlotte."

Since forever, public opinion’s been hardest on women. The real victim, but forced to pay with her life. Unfair.

Mariah shook her head. "I heard she set up her own sister. Not much to pity."

Her words sparked something in me.

The younger Langley daughter—Lila.

I wasn’t just upset for Charlotte, but scared. The plot was going off the rails. Not good.

In the original, Charlotte didn’t die—she just had a close call and lost her engagement. Now she was dead, and everyone knew. Things were changing.

I didn’t have to guess who did it. Lila was the reborn heroine, and she was playing for keeps. Watch out.

When fall set in, my body felt heavier. Pregnancy is no joke.

My relationship with Marcus deepened, and the system pinged me that his favor was rising.

I was happy, but uneasy. Things were going too well.

Until one day, Sebastian invited me to lunch, and I realized my mistake. Should have seen it coming.

I'd ignored the scheming hero and heroine.

Ding! According to the plot, the original leads will try to kill you and Marcus. Resist?

The system was always late.

Of course I chose to resist.

Sebastian invited me to his private suite, flirted shamelessly, trying to seduce Autumn Sinclair. Gross.

He was getting desperate. I’d dodged his invites before, but this time he insisted. Red flag.

In the original, the more you pushed him away, the more he wanted you.

I blamed my absence on Marcus, playing the devoted wife. Sebastian bought it, and I pretended to be infatuated. He let me go.

Before I left, he handed me a note: "I've admired you for a long time."

I tossed it in the fountain when I got home.

That night, I was doubled over with pain. Mrs. Green called the doctor. Panic.

After checking, he looked grim. "You're having a miscarriage. What did you eat?"

I thought back. Everything was from home except for what I ate at Sebastian's.

But would he really risk poisoning me?

When the doctor asked, Marcus was there. I decided to hide the lunch with Sebastian. Bad move?

Mrs. Green was loyal and wouldn't talk.

So I lied.

The doctor was stumped, shook his head.

"Without knowing the cause, I can't help."

My anxiety spiked.

"Call Dr. Morgan from the city hospital," Marcus ordered.