Autumn’s Five Seasons 2

Prologue

These days, I spent my spare time walking in Prospect Park, but today I longed for something different. I went to Central Park. I sat on a bench and watched the leaves as my mother often did.

My mother, Catherine, always said, “Watching the leaves in Central Park brings me peace.”

Seeking peace for myself led me to this park—my mother’s favorite park. I will have to let her know it didn’t work for me. I had been suffering from a combination of nightmarish issues and fatigue that were getting to me. I too enjoyed studying the leaves, but it wasn’t necessarily giving me the tranquility mother had spoken of throughout the years.

I suppose sometime we must find our own way. I exited the enormous park at the Columbus Circle opening and decided to walk down Broadway past Trump International Hotel & Tower when I heard my name.

“Autumn,” Stephen said.

I turned around to find Stephen’s head peeking out from the right rear seat window of his car. I couldn’t believe that I was looking at Stephen Prescott III. I hadn’t seen him since that horrid day in the Plaza Hotel when I learned of his marriage to Penelope. And now, here I was obviously pregnant with his child.

“I see you are with child,” Stephen said.
“Yes,” I said, “I am.”
“Is the baby mine, Autumn?” Stephen asked.
I paused then said, “Yes.”
“How far along are you?” Stephen questioned.
“This is my third trimester,” I answered.
“Then we need to marry at once,” Stephen said.

It always amazed me how Stephen could say something so utterly ridiculous in a matter of fact way, when it made sense to him.

Then Stephen asked, “Would you like to get in and talk about it?”
“Aren’t you married?” I asked with an attitude.
“Yes,” Stephen said, “you know I am.”
“Then maybe you should discuss it with your wife!” I yelled.

“I am talking to you,” Stephen replied, “besides there is not anything my money cannot undo in less than a day and you know it.”

I did know it.

Stephen stared at my stomach intensely with a smirk on his face then said, “A child changes everything.”

Stephen’s world wasn’t like everyone else’s. Worldly rules didn’t apply to him.

Stephen asked, “Would you like William to drive you wherever you are going before taking me to the airport?”

“No,” I said, “I can walk.”

I didn’t feel like being handled.

“Well, if you are certain, I have to go. I am returning home today. Think about what I said, but do not take too long.”

Stephen stretched his hand outside the window, rubbed my belly and said, “I will be in touch soon.”

I knew he would.

What I didn’t know was that his paternal involvement would thrust me back into chaos. It would also land me on a highly circulated retribution list with his mother as the vengeful ringleader.