CHAPTER 17

Autumn's POV

I stared at the door like it was cursed.

I knew who it was. Only one person knocks on my door like that—arrogant and annoying, with a strange kind of confidence that pisses me off. I took a slow breath, not in the mood for anyone’s nonsense, and opened it.

And there he was again shouting for me to come out. What on earth is his problem?

My brows furrowed as I looked at him standing there like he had every right in the world to bother me twice in one night. Hasn’t he had enough? I literally smashed a baseball bat on his face not long ago. That should have been enough warning, right?

“What do you want now?” I asked, my voice cold and flat.

He didn’t even flinch.

“Dinner.”

I blinked at him.

“Are you okay in the head?”

“I came to get you for dinner,” he repeated like I didn’t hear him the first time.

I crossed my arms. “And I said I’m not hungry.”

But Adonis wasn’t listening. Or maybe he just didn’t care. Before I could even take a step back and slam the door in his face, he reached out, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me forward.

“Let go of me!” I hissed, struggling. “Are you insane?”

“I’m tired of you acting like a child. You’re coming downstairs. Now.”

His grip tightened, and I almost stumbled as he dragged me out into the hallway. I hit his back with my other hand, cursing under my breath, but he didn’t stop.

“I swear, if you don’t let go of me—”

“Then what?” he snapped, looking over his shoulder. “You’ll hit me with another bat?”

“I will, don’t try me!”

He didn’t answer after that. He just kept dragging me until we reached the dining room.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw the faces of the other Alphas, seated and silent like kings waiting for their spoiled little princess to join them. The air felt thick with expectations, with fake politeness, with lies. And there she was—Agatha—sitting in her usual spot with that same plastic smile on her face.

But I saw it. Her eyes.

She was furious.

And that made me feel… good.

She must have been burning up inside the moment I walked in. Maybe she thought I wouldn't show up. Maybe she hoped I'd rot in my room and stay away from this perfect family meal. But now, here I was, being dragged in like I was some wild dog being forced to behave.

Adonis pushed me into a chair—his chair, I think. I refused to look at him, refused to say anything. I just sat there, arms folded, staring across the table.

The food was already served. The smell filled the room, but it didn’t tempt me one bit. It made my stomach twist.

I glanced at Agatha again and smiled.

“You look upset,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Her jaw tightened.

I picked up a spoon and dipped it into the mashed potatoes. I brought it to my mouth, then paused. Everyone’s eyes were on me now, but I didn't care. I tasted it, chewed slowly… and then spat it out right back into the napkin beside me.

Agatha gasped softly, her hands clenching under the table.

“Oh, wow,” I said with a grin. “Tastes as fake as this family.”

“Autumn,” Dante said, his voice calm. Too calm.

“I’m just saying the truth. You want me to eat? At least make food that’s worth eating.”

“You’re being disrespectful,” Agatha muttered, trying to keep her voice low and sweet, like she was suddenly Miss Graceful.

I laughed. “No, I’m being honest. I can’t pretend like you all do.”

She looked like she wanted to slap me, but instead, she picked up her fork and tried to focus on her food. Tried. Because I didn’t stop.

I took a piece of every single dish. One after another. I’d taste it, act like I was thinking hard, then spit it out again. I saw her face twitch every single time.

This was fun.

I didn’t even care that everyone was watching. I didn’t care that the Alphas were probably silently judging me. Let them. Let them see what they’ve created.

I leaned toward Agatha. “You’re not eating?”

“I’m not hungry,” she said stiffly.

“Or maybe you just lost your appetite because of me?” I smirked.

She glared at me for half a second, but then—just like that—her fake smile returned.

“It’s okay, Autumn. I understand,” she said, pretending to sound like a saint. “I know things are hard for you.”

I almost choked on my laugh.

She was only pretending because the Alphas were here. That much was obvious. If they weren’t around, she would’ve already tried to pull my hair or pour juice on my head or something equally pathetic.

Then something unexpected happened.

Knox took a spoonful of the mashed potatoes and ate it. Then Dante followed. Even Adonis sat down and took a bite from the grilled chicken.

Wait… what?

I blinked.

They were actually eating the food?

“I thought you all wouldn’t touch that trash after what I did to it.”

“It’s not trash,” Dante said firmly. “It’s food. And you need to eat too.”

I stared at him.

They were still trying to act like this was some warm, happy family gathering. Still trying to get me to play along. It was so annoying.

“You’re not going to yell at me?” I asked slowly. “Not going to throw me out or send me to the dungeon for spitting in your sacred food?”

“We want you to eat, Autumn. That’s all,” Knox said.

I rolled my eyes, but the calm in his voice irritated me more than anger would have.

So, fine. I took a deep breath, picked up the spoon, and forced myself to eat a little. My stomach turned, but I did it anyway. Just a few bites. Not because I wanted to, but because I wanted them to see how miserable it made me feel.

After a few silent, painful minutes, the dinner finally ended.

I stood up quickly.

“I’m done,” I muttered, already turning to leave.

“Autumn—” Dante began, but I didn’t stop.

“I said I’m done.”

I left the dining room and walked into the hallway, wanting nothing more than to lock myself back in my room and pretend this dinner never happened.

But before I could even take five steps, someone called my name.

“Autumn.”

I turned slowly and it was Agatha. Here we go, I thought. Now she wants to fight.

“What do you want?” I asked, folding my arms, tired and ready to throw hands if I had to.

She walked closer, looking strangely nervous. Her lips were pressed together like she was debating whether to say what was on her mind.

“I just…” she looked away for a second, then back at me. “I wanted to say sorry.”

I stared at her.

What?

My body froze for a second. Did she just say sorry?

“Come again?” I blinked.

“I said I’m sorry,” she repeated, quieter this time. “For everything. For how I treated you before. I know I was wrong.”

My mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

Was she serious right now?

“Is this a joke?” I asked slowly. “Did the Alphas put you up to this?”

She shook her head quickly. “No. No one told me to say this. I just… I’ve been thinking. A lot. And I realized I was really horrible to you. I know you might not believe me, and I get it. But I had to say it.”

I couldn’t even move. I was too stunned. Agatha? Apologizing?

This had to be some twisted trap.

“Why now?” I asked. “Why suddenly care?”

“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” she whispered, looking down at her hands. “But I’m trying to change.”

I looked at her for a long moment. Her voice, her body language… she wasn’t faking it. At least not like before. There was something real in the way she spoke, and that scared me even more than her lies.

“I don’t trust you,” I said coldly.

“I know.”

“And I’m not going to forgive you just because you feel bad today.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Then don’t expect anything from me.”

She nodded, her shoulders falling.

I stood there a few more seconds, confused, suspicious, and just… numb. Then I turned around and walked away without another word.

As I climbed the stairs back to my room, my mind raced with questions. Someone who just got mad at me apologizing?

What is going on?

Why is Agatha acting this way?

Is this really guilt… or is it just another game?

And most importantly—why does it make me feel so uneasy? No! I can't believe stupid! My kindness in the past life made me— wait a damn minute.... I know this plot! This has happened to me before!

She's planning to ruin me!