The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 103

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace – by Rohan Verma**

Mars had connected the dots, and the realization hit him like a cold splash of water.

The anger bubbled within him as he recognized that he had been manipulated, played for a fool.

Yet, when he glanced at Lydia’s downcast expression, her lips forming a sorrowful pout, he felt a pang of restraint. He knew he had to tread carefully.

“Lydia,” he said, his voice softer than he intended, “maybe you should head back first.”

Releasing her from his grasp, he turned his attention toward Autumn, determination etched on his face. “I’ll take you home.”

Mars was clearly wrestling with a wave of guilt stemming from the assistant’s earlier comments. Now, he was eager to make amends with Autumn.

But Autumn was having none of it. Just as she prepared to decline his offer, Mars stepped closer, his tone teasing yet firm. “Are you walking, or am I carrying you?”

“Whoa~”

The Executive Office erupted in a chorus of playful catcalls and laughter.

People thrived on drama, and this office was no exception. Even after the earlier awkward confrontation, the unfolding scene felt like something straight out of a soap opera, and everyone was eager to grab their metaphorical popcorn.

Lydia stood on the sidelines, completely overshadowed. As she watched the crowd cheer for Mars and Autumn, jealousy simmered within her, ready to boil over.

“Mars—”

Lydia’s voice dripped with sweetness, her usual ploy to pull him away from Autumn.

But to her astonishment, Mars, usually compliant, shot her a look that was anything but patient. “At work, it’s Mr. Wright to you. Since you’re stepping into a new role, it’s time to be more professional.”

Lydia’s eyes widened in disbelief, tears threatening to spill over. She appeared both tragic and ridiculous in that moment.

The rest of the office pretended not to notice her distress, huddling together to share jokes about the CEO and his wife.

Mars soaked in the attention, deliberately pulling Autumn closer as if to showcase their connection. He was playing the part of the devoted husband, deeply in love. Yet, Autumn was unfazed by the charade. She tossed the gown at him with a flick of her wrist. “Lydia is your assistant, and you two are practically best friends. Just pay me for the gown. I don’t want something that someone else has touched.”

A vein pulsed angrily in Mars’s forehead.

He had initiated this theatrical display. As frustrating as it was that Autumn refused to play along and was now digging the knife deeper, he had to swallow his irritation and see it through to the end.

“Alright, alright, I’ll buy you three more gowns, how about that? Honey, don’t be upset with me. Think about the baby.”

The others groaned at the public display of affection, urging Mars and Autumn to find a more private setting.

With a grin that he believed was charming, Mars wrapped an arm around Autumn’s waist and guided her toward the elevator.

Lydia watched them depart, feeling like a lonely clown left behind in a circus. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and hurried to her office, slamming the door behind her.

Outside, a group of assistants from the Executive Office gathered, whispering and gossiping about her.

“That was classic! The mistress tried to take on the wife and got completely owned.”

“Tsk, tsk. Stepsisters always bring trouble. Hitting on her own sister’s husband? That’s just low.”

The others nodded in agreement, but with Lydia now the chief secretary, they were careful not to voice their thoughts too loudly. After exchanging knowing glances, they returned to their workstations.

The young assistant who had spoken out earlier was soon summoned into Lydia’s office.

When she emerged, her expression was grim, and she was burdened with a stack of files that towered over her head.

“What’s all that?” someone asked, raising an eyebrow.

The assistant clenched her teeth in frustration. “Our new Secretary Lopez wants these project files organized. She needs them by the end of the day.”

Gasps filled the room. “What? All that? By the end of the day?”

The moment the words left her lips, realization dawned on everyone. They shot sympathetic looks at the assistant, murmuring, “Good luck with that,” before retreating to their desks.

The assistant quickly understood that no one was going to lend a hand. They seemed to be subtly excluding her from their conversations, clearly wary of getting caught in the crossfire.

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