Chapter 20

In the dim light, Autumn was completely enveloped by Dawson's shadow. A second later, a warm coat fell over her shoulders. She caught the scent clinging to it—crisp and woody, like fir trees standing tall in snowy weather. Because he had given her his trench coat, the man was left wearing only a thin black shirt. The diamond cufflinks on his sleeves caught the light, glinting with a quiet edge—refined, but dangerous. There was something about him that made you want to look twice and then step back. Autumn hadn't even cried in front of Olivia, but now Dawson had caught her like this. The shame and helplessness were overwhelming. Still, she didn't panic and wiped her tears. She simply stared at him with a blank expression. Under the yellow light, the tear tracks on her cheeks shimmered faintly. To her, Dawson was practically a stranger—someone she'd barely exchanged two words with, difficult to approach, and not someone she ever intended to get close to. She didn't know what expre