River Sterling’s words left Seth Quinn completely bewildered. ’What woman? What does Clara Grant’s anger have to do with any woman?’

But River Sterling was still pontificating about the benefits of being single. "See, women should be like mine. Even when they find out I have others, not a single one throws a tantrum. They still take perfect care of me.

And why is that? It’s because they know I’m not married, and they’re all competing to be the one who weds me. That’s why they’re so obedient. So, I’m not going to marry any of them. I’ll just let them all keep trying to win me over. Tsk, tsk... you guys giving up the whole forest for a single tree, it’s just not worth it..."

Seth Quinn frowned and raised a hand to cut him off. "What did you just say?"

River Sterling paused, then answered instinctively, "That it’s not worth it for you guys to give up the whole forest."

"No."

"That all the women want to marry me?" River Sterling, unsure what he was focused on, tried again.

"No, before that."

River Sterling frowned, replaying his words in his head, then said hesitantly, "That Clara is angry because of a woman?"

’But what was wrong with that?’

To his surprise, Seth Quinn suddenly said, "That’s it. But what does Clara Grant’s anger have to do with some woman? She’s angry because I lied to her that it was Poppy’s birthday and then had Chase Childs drag her back."

The moment he said that, everyone was so shocked their jaws nearly hit the floor. ’Has Seth completely misunderstood?’

’Being lied to versus having a love rival show up to provoke her... isn’t it obvious which one would make her angrier?’

’Besides, everyone saw it clear as day. Clara Grant got angry and left *after* Autumn Shelby showed up.’

River Sterling was the first to break the silence. "Seth, don’t tell me you’ve believed this whole time that Clara was only angry because you lied to her."

Seth Quinn looked perplexed. "She wasn’t?"

River Sterling let out a groan of despair, and Linden Jennings couldn’t help but shake his head. ’Seth’s way of thinking is really something else.’

"Give me a break, of course not!" River Sterling shot back. "Even Chase Childs, a block of wood who’s never been in a relationship, could tell Clara was angry because of Autumn Shelby. How could you not see it? No, you shouldn’t even have to see it—you should just know."

"Because in any love story with one man and two women, the women are rivals! Clara is your wife, and your ex-fiancée specifically came looking for you. Are you saying she wouldn’t be upset? That she wouldn’t be jealous?"

Seth Quinn laughed bitterly to himself. ’If only she would get jealous!’

’Too bad. She’s probably wishing I’d find another woman so she can divorce me as soon as possible.’

Before he could finish the thought, Linden Jennings spoke up. "So when you two went home that day, Clara didn’t confront you about Autumn Shelby at all? And you didn’t say anything to her either?"

"No." Seth Quinn’s voice was laced with helplessness. "She didn’t ask or say a single thing about Autumn Shelby. And that day, Autumn didn’t show any particular feelings toward me, either. Clara probably doesn’t know about my past with her. No, not probably. I’m certain. She doesn’t even know Autumn Shelby exists."

"You never told her?" The incredulous cry came from Poppy Vance.

"No." Seth Quinn frowned at her, looking slightly confused. "Why would I tell her about that?"

’He and Autumn Shelby had been engaged, they had even been on the verge of getting married, but they had no relationship whatsoever now. So why would he proactively bring up a complete stranger to his own wife?’