Chapter 7: Heiress Revealed, Past Denied

Autumn changed completely, choosing to inherit the family business and becoming the youngest heir in Grace family history. She balanced board meetings and auditions with ease, never missing a recital or a bedtime story. I watched her in awe.

Inevitably, her real identity was exposed, shooting her to the top of the trending charts. The news broke the internet, and her fans went wild. The tabloids couldn’t get enough.

[Shocking! Autumn Grace is actually a rich heiress!] The comments were full of love and admiration, and I basked in the glow of our newfound happiness. I almost turned into a little slacker.

Determined not to slack off, I signed up for dance classes. I threw myself into every lesson, determined to make her proud. She cheered me on from the front row.

On the way to class, we got into a fender bender. He stood by his car, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding his eyes. The air around him crackled with tension.

My heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, Autumn called out in surprise, “Charles Whitaker!” Her voice was calm, but I could hear the nerves underneath. Oh boy! Isn’t this the ‘blind’ billionaire from the book—my biological dad?

I ducked behind the seat, watching through the window. How did we end up hitting his car? Of all the cars in the city, we had to hit his.

“Autumn, you hit my car. Shouldn’t you give me your number so we can swap insurance info?” He leaned against the hood, voice cool and measured. Autumn didn’t flinch. I frowned, glancing anxiously at Autumn.

She used to be head over heels—I worried she’d fall for him again. Ha! Wasn’t he into Lila? So why was he looking at her so affectionately now? He took off his sunglasses, eyes softening as he looked at Autumn.

The tension in the air was palpable. I held my breath, watching Autumn. She waved him off, raising an eyebrow.

“I already deleted your number—what’s the point?” Her voice was cool, almost bored. I grinned, proud of her. I relaxed—she was over him.

The relief was instant, like a weight lifting off my chest.

“Autumn, I want to pursue you.” My nerves shot up again as I glared at Charles. He noticed me and smiled, lips curving handsomely.

“I don’t mind that you have a daughter. I can help raise her—treat her like my own.” He crouched down to my level, offering a hand. I just stared, unimpressed. Clearly, Charles had no idea I was his real daughter.

Fine by me—less hassle. I stuck my tongue out, making a face. Autumn just laughed, shaking her head. I was still mad about his actions in the original story.

Besides, I was happy living with Autumn now. I crossed my arms, determined not to let him worm his way back into our lives. Autumn handed him a business card.

Then she turned to me, smiling coolly at Charles. “Sorry, but I do mind.” She slipped her arm around my shoulders, her message clear.

“Mr. Whitaker, let’s keep our distance.” She closed the car door with a soft click, ending the conversation for good. She got in the car and looked at me with concern.

“Daisy, are you okay?” Her eyes were soft, full of love. I nodded, feeling safe and happy. “I’m fine, Mama.”

I grinned, buckling my seatbelt. The world felt right again.

“Good. Buckle up—we’re off!” She started the engine, humming along to the radio. I settled back, content. Autumn drove away, and I stuck my head out, making a face at Charles.

I blew a raspberry, waving goodbye. People in the parking lot burst out laughing. “Bleh! Come back when you fix your blindness, Mr. Whitaker!” I giggled, feeling lighter than air.

The future was ours, and this time, we were writing our own story.