Chapter 5: War Paint, Rival Hearts, and Secrets Unveiled

After a bath and some scented candles, I did my makeup. Time for action.

Thanks to the system's healing, my shoulder was fine.

Autumn Sinclair was strikingly beautiful—a little makeup made her stunning. But in her old life, she dressed plain to please Sebastian’s taste for fragile types, making herself look bland. Not anymore.

After transmigrating, I didn't bother hiding my looks, but I didn't love heavy makeup either.

When I finished, Mrs. Green gasped, "You look gorgeous, ma'am. Mr. Hawthorne will be floored."

Just then, someone sneered, "Second cousin’s already got a new girl, and now you’re trying to win him back? Isn’t it a little late?" Drama.

I was in a mood, and someone walked right into my line of fire.

Victoria Langley, Marcus's cousin, lived in the mansion and acted like she owned the place.

I knew her family wanted to pair her with Marcus, but then Sebastian showed up and Autumn Sinclair married in. Sorry, Victoria.

Victoria was clearly here to pick a fight.

I ignored her, fixing my sleeves without looking up.

"Cousin, that’s a weird thing to say. It’s natural for a wife to dress up for her husband. What’s it to you, single girl?"

Being unmarried at her age was Victoria's sore spot, and I wasn't about to let it slide.

She turned red, speechless.

I kept going. Why not?

"If you have time to worry about me, maybe focus on securing your own trust fund."

I dabbed on some blush, then said to Mrs. Green, "I hear matchmakers have been knocking nonstop this month?"

"Yes, all for the eldest Hawthorne."

Marcus was married, so the matchmakers were for Sebastian. Victoria should worry about marrying him, not meddling here. Just saying.

After that, Victoria's face went white, then red, and she stormed out in tears.

I couldn't help but laugh. She talked big but couldn't take a hit.

When she ran off, I felt a little let down.

Too soft, not enough fun.

"Marital fun?" Marcus appeared in the doorway, half-smiling.

He'd heard everything?

My smile froze.

But Marcus wasn't about to let it go.

"What is marital fun, Autumn? Enlighten me."

He waved the staff out, leaving just us. Uh-oh.

Suddenly, the big room felt tiny.

The sunset burned red.

I couldn't see his face, just the pale edge of light on his features.

Marcus had a reputation as a killer—rumored to be ruthless in the service, even killing surrendering enemies. That had cost him his father’s favor, especially once Sebastian came along. Tough break.

But even the hardest men have a soft spot.

Once, I saw his mother during one of her episodes. Marcus cared for her, even when she clawed him bloody. He never let go.

When she was lucid, she'd hug him and sob like a child.

Right then, I understood why, in the end, Marcus chose to trust Autumn Sinclair again—even knowing it would get him killed.

Because she was his soft spot.

"Autumn?"

His voice snapped me out of it.

His sharp eyes were right in front of me. I jumped.

He pulled me into his arms.

"You still haven't answered."

"What is marital fun?" He grinned, looking down at me. Help.

I had no idea how to answer.

Everything I’d done was to win his favor, but put on the spot, I froze. Typical.

Seeing me blush, Marcus smiled, touching my face. "You look beautiful today. I like it."

He tilted my chin up, making me look at him.

His eyes were hypnotic.

Suddenly, I blurted, "Am I prettier, or is Ginny?"

Marcus's smile faded, turning serious.

He asked, "What do you think, Autumn?"

"Obviously, I'm prettier." I dropped all pretense.

Marcus smiled faintly, not agreeing or denying.

He picked me up, set me on the couch, and stretched out beside me.

In broad daylight… did he want to…? Oh boy.

I got nervous and squirmed.

"It's not even dark yet…"

He pressed my waist from behind, holding me close, his chin on my head.

"Don't move. Just let me rest a while…"

I didn't dare move.

He seemed exhausted, his breath heavy, his hand warm on my side.

Listening to his breathing slow, I got sleepy too.

Half-asleep, I heard him mumble, "Of course you're prettier…"

I felt warm inside. Even the villain could be sweet.

After a while, in my haze, I heard him again.

"That Ginny is just a plant… you don't have to worry about her."

So he knew?

Marcus already knew Ginny was a spy. I worried for nothing.

A few days later, word spread that Ginny had been sent away—hands and feet broken—and left at Sebastian’s mansion. The staff at the gate nearly fainted.

When Mrs. Green told me, I nearly threw up.

Villains really are ruthless.

But compared to Sebastian’s underhanded tactics, Marcus’s warning was at least direct. Small favors.

Sebastian, getting Ginny’s limbs as a "gift," lost it—smashed half his office.

He’d just been chewed out by the family patriarch for botching a birthday gift for grandma, and now this. Bad week.

Thinking of Sebastian's face, I couldn't help but laugh.

In the original, he used Autumn Sinclair’s love to hurt Marcus, then tossed her aside. Seeing him suffer now was sweet. Karma.

That day, I got a note from Sebastian: "Midnight. Old place."

I tossed it in the trash.

He was probably trying to pull the same tricks as last time.

If this were the old Autumn, she’d have gone running. But I’m not her. Sebastian was barking up the wrong tree.

I had Mrs. Green leave a note at the meeting spot: "Sure."

But I didn't go. I went to bed early.

Next morning, Mrs. Green said it rained and thundered all night, and the lawn was covered with azaleas. Dramatic.

She added that Sebastian caught a cold and skipped breakfast with the family.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Looks like Sebastian waited all night for me. Too bad for him.

"Autumn, what are you laughing about?"

Marcus strode in, catching my smile.

After the Ginny incident, he’d been grounded by the old man for three days. Just released.

"Nothing, just enjoying the weather."

He didn't press, just looked at me softly.

I was a little dazed.

Lately, Marcus was acting different. Softer.

He was almost too attentive.

Like, he peeled grapes for me with those long fingers.

He handed one to my lips, and I bit down, accidentally brushing his fingers.

The cold grape rolled over my tongue, but all I could think about were his hands, scarred from years of fighting.

His rough fingertips wiped juice from my mouth.

My face flushed, heart racing.

"Dad's lining up an engagement for Sebastian."

"Mm."

"Aren't you curious who the lucky girl is?"

"Which family?"

"The Langley family."

"Good match."

I played along.

With my knowledge of the plot, I knew Sebastian wouldn’t end up with the main daughter, but the younger one. Plot twist.