Chapter 6: Waking Up and Moving Forward

I could feel her excitement, and felt bad telling her this child would be lost.

But better a short pain than a long one.

I tried to speak, but found I couldn’t say anything about the plot.

Not allowed to reveal the plot?

Fine, then I’ll do my best to protect Autumn and this child.

Autumn’s pregnancy couldn’t be hidden from the male lead. He soon heard from the staff.

After the family doctor confirmed it, Graham’s cold gaze softened a bit.

“Since you’ve been unwell lately, Autumn, I’ll forgive your recent misbehavior. But you should know, playing hard to get only works once.”

Instant goosebumps.

What a greasy man.

Well, good luck with that, buddy.

I couldn’t help but advise again, “Autumn, how about we find a different father for the baby? I’m really afraid Graham will be a bad influence.”

Maybe it was the pregnancy, or maybe the plot was correcting itself, but no matter what I said, Autumn refused and chose to stay in the estate.

Oh, and by the way, after she got pregnant, Autumn could control her body again. Now I was the one stuck in her mind, watching her vomit every day, unable to keep any food down.

I asked, “Is it worth it?”

She said, “Love makes the pain go away.”

And so eight months passed.

Autumn’s morning sickness was severe, and her belly grew bigger and bigger.

Graham only behaved for a while after learning she was pregnant. Soon, he was back to his old ways, often coming home with lipstick marks.

I couldn’t persuade Autumn, and couldn’t be bothered with Graham. My only request was that he not bring people home to upset her and the baby.

But that day still came.

Somehow, his first love heard about the pregnancy and came to the estate with Graham, claiming to congratulate her.

Sensing trouble, I tried to warn Autumn, but couldn’t speak.

I could only watch as this silly girl, with her big belly, ran around cutting fruit for the male lead and the first love.

Go ahead, stuff your face—see if I care.

After much persuasion, Autumn finally went to rest, but the first love suddenly said she wanted to see her room.

“Accident” struck on the stairs.

The first love was walking just fine, then suddenly, by coincidence, bumped Autumn down the steps.

Looking anxious, she rushed to help, but somehow fell again, and both tumbled down the stairs.

The estate’s stairs were high, and a pregnant woman falling is no joke.

It happened so fast—no one could react. They just watched the two roll to the first floor.

Autumn didn’t even have time to scream before fainting from pain, and I saw a pool of red spreading from under her dress.

Amid the chaos, Autumn was rushed to the hospital. But before leaving, I saw Graham cradling the first love’s ankle with concern.

Autumn woke up again in a hospital bed.

She instinctively reached for her belly, but felt only flatness.

“Autumn, my condolences.”

I didn’t know how to comfort her, so I could only squeeze out those dry words.

“Leave Graham—you can have more children.”

If she went back, she’d lose more than just this one.

Autumn’s tired voice sounded:

“Sorry, Momo. I don’t know why, but lately it’s like my brain was full of static—a mysterious voice told me to stay in the estate, and I just obeyed without question.”

I guessed it—definitely the plot interfering. As long as the female lead stays with the male lead, the plot will keep them together.

The only solution is—

I racked my brains for the original plot and finally found a way out.

There was a chapter about evidence of the male lead’s tax evasion—enough to put him in jail for years.

I don’t believe the plot would send the female lead to jail too.

But I didn’t know if Autumn would agree.

I hesitated: “Autumn, do you still want to stay with Graham?”

“Of course,” she said. No hesitation.

“Why?”

I was shocked—could the plot really be that strong?

“If it weren’t for his inaction and indulgence, my child wouldn’t have died. I won’t let him off so easily.”

So Autumn is staying for revenge?

Who would’ve thought! My silly-sweet female lead actually knows how to repay evil with evil!

Graham, you really did too much!

Maybe in the original, she also planned this at first, but got lost in the plot later.

To avoid getting my hopes up, I cautiously asked: “If Graham goes to jail, will you forgive him?”

“Never. I have no right to forgive on behalf of my child.”

Good. Since we’re agreed, next is to wait for the right time and act.

Though I knew where the evidence was, I couldn’t get it myself. If I reported it, Graham might hear first and destroy it.

So, I planned to tell his biggest rival—the second male lead, Julian Meyer.

In the original, he felt sorry for Autumn and helped her escape, but she went back herself. If anyone could take on Graham, it was him.

The problem was, I didn’t have his contact info.

Luckily, there was an industry gala in half a month. Both Graham and Julian would be there, and I could attend as Graham’s companion.

For causing Autumn’s miscarriage, the first love only shed a few fake tears, and Graham couldn’t bear to blame her. But he did feel a bit guilty toward me. I had to use this last bit of goodwill before it expired. Just asking him to take me to a party—he wouldn’t refuse.

Sure enough, Graham only thought for a few seconds before agreeing. He also ordered me to dress nicely and not embarrass him.

Heh. Men, right?

Did you forget the child you lost was yours too?

Well then, may you do well in prison.

“Hope all goes well for you.”

I put my hands together and made a sincere wish.

On the day of the party, I picked a well-fitted black dress, put on some lipstick, and went.

Graham wasn’t satisfied with my look, but said nothing. Because the first love was dressed up glamorously, holding his arm beside him. Perfect—I didn’t have to be his date.

Once inside, no one cared about me, making it easier to find Julian.

I slipped into the hall, quickly scanning the crowd, when I realized—I didn’t know what Julian looked like. Annoyed, I smacked my head.

“Miss, you look like you need help. Is there anything I can do for you?”

A gentle, refined voice suddenly sounded.

My ears tingled—it was such a beautiful voice, but I was in a bad mood, so I replied carelessly:

“I’m looking for Julian Meyer. Do you know where he is?”

The man hesitated, then said:

“That’s me. May I ask what you need?”

Startled, I turned and couldn’t help but admire—what a refined gentleman. Truly living up to his name, standing there like a scenic view.

No wonder everyone says the main guy is for the heroine, but the second lead? He’s for all of us.

But that wasn’t my concern. I got straight to the point: “Find somewhere safe to talk. I have something that can bring down Graham Langley.”

Julian’s face turned serious and he took me to his lounge upstairs.

After locking the door, he explained, “There’s surveillance downstairs. It’s safer here.”

I nodded, trying to sound casual. “I know where Graham hides the evidence of tax evasion. Can you guarantee to send him to jail once you get it?”

Julian’s eyes darkened. “Of course. How can you be sure your evidence is real?”

“If I dared come to you, I must be confident. Just don’t drop the ball on your end.”

“In that case, pleasure working with you.”

After agreeing, I told Julian where the evidence was hidden.

He acted quickly.

A few days later, during a board meeting, Graham was taken away in front of everyone—leaving a group of dumbfounded employees.

Seeing this good news on the gossip forum, I laughed until I doubled over.

The male lead, sent to jail by the female lead. Now that’s a plot twist.

I breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly feeling I was about to leave, and quickly said goodbye to the female lead.

“Autumn, I think I’m leaving soon. Take care of yourself, and don’t blindly trust others again.”

Autumn’s reluctant voice sounded:

“Thank you, Momo. I was really happy knowing you. You helped me a lot, and I finally learned how to love myself.

I haven’t had time to tell you—I decided to change my name. I never liked the old one’s meaning.

My new name is Autumn Lake, inspired by the poem ‘Someday, the winds will be right, and we’ll sail out to the open sea.’

I’ll always carry the courage and perseverance you gave me, and walk firmly toward the future.”

To ease the sadness, I made a joke from my original world:

“Great name. Good thing your surname isn’t Vanderbilt, haha. Lake, let’s both be our best selves if we meet again. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Extra (Real World Chapter)

“Eggs benedict, steak, Belgian waffles…”

So noisy.

It’s the weekend—can’t people get some rest!

I grumbled as I reached to silence an unknown call, but suddenly realized the words sounded familiar.

Didn’t I say that on my first day in the novel?

I lit up my phone screen—the date showed it was the day after I finished reading the novel. But I’d clearly spent hundreds of days in the novel world.

So did I come back? Or was it just a dream?

I didn’t want to believe it was all a dream. Compelled, I opened Instagram and scrolled aimlessly.

Suddenly, a recommended post popped up and caught my eye.

Author V: Here’s something interesting—I dreamed last night about the novel I finished ten years ago. The female lead complained that she didn’t like her name, wanted her own life, and I shouldn’t force my ideas on her. I thought about it and agreed. So I decided to write an independent extra for her. Basically, it’s about Autumn Lake traveling all over the country, helping girls in need everywhere. Hope you all like it.

After reading, I tried to smile—but realized my face was already covered in tears.

Lake, looks like you’ve found what you want to do.

I’ll keep working hard too, and never stop moving forward.

Someday, the winds will be right, and we’ll sail out to the open sea.

Let’s encourage each other.