Chapter 5: Mud, Apples, and Turning Tides

Then, something dramatic happened. Lila, who’d been following Ryder’s path, suddenly disappeared. A sharp, pained scream sent birds flying.

The noise was so sudden, I jumped. Even Autumn looked startled.

I blinked and looked up at Autumn. “Mama, Auntie… fell!” Autumn hadn’t expected it either.

She tried to play it cool, but I could see the worry in her eyes.

I quickly reminded her, “Mama, is Auntie okay?” Play it up.

I knew the stakes. This was a turning point, and I held my breath, waiting for Autumn’s decision.

Knowing her, she’d help.

She was too kind for her own good, but maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

“Let’s go see.”

She took my hand, her grip steady. I felt a little braver with her by my side.

Autumn bent down, picked me up, and carried me over. I pointed the way, whispering encouragement in her ear. She smiled, her tension easing.

I grinned and whispered, “Mama, you’re so strong!” For a second, I forgot all about the cameras.

Busted, Autumn stiffened, eyes darting, then hugged me tighter. “A mother’s strength.” The chat must have been going wild.

The chat burst into laughter.

The audience loved it, posting laughing emojis and heart eyes. People were eating it up.

Autumn set me down, and we peeked into the pit. Lila was covered in mud, sitting dazed at the bottom, eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at us for help. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

I took a breath, holding back my laughter.

I pressed my lips together, trying to look concerned. Autumn shot me a warning glance, but her lips twitched, too. We were both trying not to laugh.

Ryder tried to help by tossing a branch into the pit and shouting, “Mom, grab on!” Nice try, Ryder.

“It’s too thin—how can I get up with that?!” “Forget it, you guys go ahead.”

She pouted, clearly hoping we’d leave her there so she could skip the rest of the challenge.

She clearly wanted to slack off again—if we left, the crew would rescue her, and she’d have an excuse to do nothing today. Classic Lila.

“Mama, Auntie fell—we should help her up.”

I tugged at Autumn’s sleeve, making sure the cameras caught my concern.

Lila stiffened, glancing at Autumn. Autumn hefted her axe, walked to a tree, and chopped off a thick branch with a single swing. She tossed the branch into the pit. “Come up!”

The branch landed with a thud, sturdy and strong. Lila hesitated, then grabbed on, letting Autumn pull her up with surprising strength. Lila grudgingly let Autumn haul her out.

Autumn tossed the branch aside, dusted her hands, and picked up her axe. Lila muttered, “Thanks.”

Lila muttered, grabbed Ryder, and hurried away, looking embarrassed. Nice try.

“Daisy, let Mama carry you.” “Mama, I want to walk like Ryder!”

She laughed, squeezing my hand. “Alright, my brave girl.”

Autumn melted, ruffling my hair as we walked on. Things felt lighter.

The chat blew up again.

The audience was divided, but most sided with Autumn. She was winning hearts.

Soon, we reached a fruit tree with big, round, red apples. My mouth watered at the sight. I was parched.

“Daisy, do you want some?” Autumn’s voice was like an angel’s. I nodded eagerly.

She smiled, ruffling my hair. “Hang tight, sweetheart.”

“Mama will pick them for you.” The cameras zoomed in.

The tree was tall—she’d have to climb to reach the fruit. I bit my lip, hoping she’d find another way. No axes, please.

“Mama, do we have to climb up?” I tugged at her dress, voice small. She smiled, shaking her head.

“No need.” “Can I borrow your knife?”

Her tone was polite but firm. Lila raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

Lila shrugged. “Ask Ryder—I don’t care.” Ryder looked up, eager to help.

Ryder was trying to pick fruit for her, but at seven, he could only stand on tiptoe and poke at the branches, sweating and flushed. Lila watched, unmoved.

Autumn approached. “Ryder, can I borrow your knife? I’ll show you how to use it properly.” Lila looked surprised, frowning at Autumn. I waited quietly, curious.

The chat was hooked:

People were speculating wildly, placing bets on whether Autumn would pull it off. Apples rained down from the tree.

The fruit thudded to the ground, bouncing off leaves and branches. Lila shrieked as one landed on her head. The chat went wild.

The internet erupted in applause, memes already being born in the comment section. She’s so cool—I want to marry her!

I was awestruck. As the Grace family’s heir, Autumn had all sorts of skills. Juice dribbled down my chin.

Seeing me eat, Lila’s eyes lit up. She walked over. Too lazy to pick her own.

She held out her hand, giving me her best puppy-dog eyes. I wasn’t fooled.

I nibbled at the apple, eyes watery, looking pitiful. Autumn stuffed all the peeled apples into my hands. I grinned, biting into another slice.

“Daisy, eat up. If you want more, Mama will get them for you—no matter how high.”

She ruffled my hair, her voice full of love. Lila’s face darkened, but she said nothing.

That shut Lila down. Autumn handed the knife back with a cool expression. “If you want some, peel it yourself.” Lila’s face was grim.

Lila’s face was grim, eyes glued to my apple, wanting it but unable to get any. She huffed, turning away in a sulk.

Eventually, she gave up and shoved the knife at Autumn. Her voice was saccharine, but I could hear the desperation underneath. Most of the apples that fell were bruised or rotten.

She eyed the remaining apples, lips pursed. The audience could sense her greed. She flashed a smile at the cameras.

Autumn hesitated, seeing through Lila’s plan but unsure whether to keep up her persona. I quickly tossed away my core.

Autumn shrugged, dodged the knife Lila offered, and said, “You should do it yourself. Try a little self-reliance.”

Lila trembled, but couldn’t force her. She handed the knife to Ryder. Ryder nodded. “I can, Mama.”

He puffed out his chest, determined to help. I watched, worried. I rolled my eyes.

She lounged in the shade, fanning herself with a leaf. The cameras zoomed in, catching every lazy gesture. But more and more people were questioning Lila’s behavior.

Ryder couldn’t reach the apples, no matter how he tried. He tried to pull down branches, but failed twice. I munched my apple, while Lila, craving some, urged him on.

He jumped, stretched, and even climbed a little, but the apples were just out of reach. “Ryder, Mama’s hungry—can you hurry?” She tapped her foot, voice impatient.

He tried again, determination etched on his face. I watched, heart in my throat.

Ryder rushed forward, but tripped over a branch and fell. Ryder, eyes red, held up his injured hand—blood dripped from his palm. He winced, trying to hide the pain.

Autumn grabbed his hand, cleaning it instinctively. “Thank you, Auntie Autumn, I’m fine.” He tried to be brave, but his voice wobbled.

Ryder tried to pull away, but Autumn held on. She tore a strip from her dress, wrapping his hand with practiced care. The cameras zoomed in, catching every detail.

Lila just stood there, stunned, clearly not expecting this. She looked lost, unsure what to do. The audience noticed, too.

Ryder’s injury caused an uproar in the chat:

The comments were furious, demanding answers. Most sided with Autumn.

I picked up the knife, looked at his bloody palm, and said, “Ryder, let me blow on it—it won’t hurt.” I slipped the knife to Autumn.

She finished the wrap with a neat bow, then handed him a bandage from her pocket.

Ryder smiled, grateful. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

My heart ached for him.

Who could resist that? Eyes red, tears brimming, he spoke so softly. I pressed it into his hand, hoping it would make him feel better.

He smiled shyly, but after a moment, walked over to Lila and handed it to her. He looked up at her, eyes full of hope. Lila took it without hesitation, biting into it with a satisfied smile. I was silent.

Ryder didn’t want apple—he just wanted his mom to have some. Lila took it without hesitation, as if she were used to it.

The chat was moved to tears:

The comments were full of crying emojis and declarations of love for Ryder. We were winning.

After that, Autumn and I finished gathering supplies first and won the crew’s reward—a strawberry shortcake. I savored every bite.

Julian and the others stumbled out of the woods before Lila and Ryder, who had to accept the punishment of preparing dinner. Lila looked less than thrilled.

Lila agreed on the surface, but did nothing all evening, lounging in a chair and eating apples. She bit into a strawberry, popped the stem into Ryder’s mouth, and feigned surprise.

She batted her lashes at the cameras, playing up her helplessness. The crew exchanged glances, clearly unimpressed.

I was starving—if Lila had to cook, I’d be doomed. Ryder came to me.

“Mama, where’s Auntie?” I called over to Autumn.

“Mama, Ryder’s looking for you.” Autumn glanced over. “What’s up?”

Ryder looked troubled. “Auntie, can you start the fire? I can’t, and Mama can’t either.” Autumn glanced at his injured hand.

“Who’s cooking?” Ryder didn’t hesitate. “I am!”

He puffed out his chest, trying to sound brave. I shot him a sympathetic look.

I shot a look at Lila, sprawled in her chair—she was too much! Even with Ryder hurt, she made him cook. Autumn just shook her head.

Sensing our stares, Lila smiled sweetly. “Autumn, I can’t do it—why don’t you cook for me?” I almost spat out my juice.

I almost spat out my juice—she actually wanted Autumn to do her punishment task?

I coughed, covering my mouth. The crew tried not to laugh.

I prayed Autumn wouldn’t agree. If she did, Lila would keep bossing her around. Autumn said nothing, and I was anxious.

But then, she strode over, yanked Lila out of her chair, and snapped, “What can you do—eat? Slack off? Do you even know what punishment means? It means doing what you don’t want to or can’t do! Are you helpless? I’ve had enough!” “It’s late, everyone’s hungry. Get to it!”

She pointed to the kitchen, her patience gone. The crew exchanged glances, clearly impressed.

I wanted to jump into her arms and shower her with kisses. Yes! Don’t give Lila an inch! Lila was stunned.

Lila was stunned, then called, “Ryder, let’s go!” “Ryder’s not going!”

Autumn’s shout stopped him in his tracks. I ran over. “Ryder, I have something to share with you!” He hesitated, but I dragged him away.

If he went with Lila, he’d end up cooking again, even injured. Lila stomped her foot but, under the cameras, had to go into the kitchen herself.

She huffed, grabbing an apron and muttering under her breath. The crew tried not to laugh.

I split the strawberry shortcake with Ryder, smiling contentedly. Autumn sat with me, folding paper cranes. “Mama, I want more!”

The paper cranes fluttered in the breeze, and I felt at peace for the first time all day. The comments were full of hearts and praise.