The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

A look of undisguised delight flashed across Mars Wright’s face.

The others looked on with a mix of envy and pitying disdain. “God, that Autumn Lopez is simping for him with zero self–respect.”

She really came running the second he called. More obedient than a puppy.

Lydia Lopez’s eyes darkened when she saw how happy Mars looked.

She deliberately let go of his arm, putting a wounded distance between them.

Mars noticed her movement and frowned, gently pulling her back.

“What’s this about?”

+

Lydia’s voice trembled. “Autumn’s here. I should keep my distance from you, Mars. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea about me again.”

Mars’s expression immediately soured. He pulled her forcefully into his arms and hissed in a low voice, darel”

“She wouldn’t

Then he patted Lydia’s back, his tone becoming doting. “Don’t worry, I’m here. She won’t do anything to you.”

The door to the private room opened, and Autumn walked in, sweating and out of breath, only to be met with the sight of Mars affectionately comforting Lydia.

Even though Autumn’s heart was already shattered beyond repair, the scene still sent a sharp sting of pain through her.

Looking around, she saw that no one else in the room seemed the least bit surprised. It hit her then–all of Mars’s friends had known about his relationship with Lydia for a long time.

Everyone knew. She was the only one who had been kept in the dark.

“Wow, Autumn, you actually showed up! After all these years, your devotion to Mars is really something else.”

People who were usually so respectful to her were finally showing their true colors.

“You make us lose money every single time. Seriously, Autumn, can’t you have a little backbone?”

“A girl’s gotta have some dignity, you know? Otherwise, all that devotion is just cheap and worthless.”

As their accusations buzzed around her, Autumn’s mind went blank.

“What… what are you talking about?”

Losing money?

Were these people betting on me?

Memories flooded back, and Autumn suddenly realized how many times a scene like this had played out over the past few years

1/4

Sometimes Mars would say he’d forgotten something and needed her to bring it.

Other times he’d claim he was stuck at a work dinner and needed her to come bail him out.

Every single time, the moment she got a call from Mars, Autumn would drop everything. No matter what she was doing. she would rush to be by his side.

And it was all just for a bet?

“Autumn, I guess we can’t hide it from you anymore. Honestly, all of this was just Mars testing you.”

“Yeah, yeah! It was all a test!”

The others made no attempt to hide it, their faces filled with anticipation, as if they were waiting for a good show.

Autumn looked at Mars. “What are they talking about?”

Mars met Autumn’s pale face and saw the shattered look in her eyes. A flicker of guilt crossed his face.

“Autumn, come sit down first.”

“How’s the baby?”

His conscience was making a brief appearance, but Autumn wasn’t having it.

She had no desire to play along with him anymore.

“I asked you what they meant.”

“So all those times you called me over these past few years… was it all because you made a bet with these people?”

Mars couldn’t meet her eyes.

He turned his head, his mind racing to find an excuse to smooth things over.

But Autumn wouldn’t let him escape. “Speak up, Mars Wright! You’re man enough to do it but not to admit it?”

Seeing this, Lydia walked over, her face a mask of concern. “Autumn, what are you doing? Mars and everyone were just joking around. Do you really have to get this angry?”

“Besides, we’re telling you now, aren’t we? It’s your own fault for being such a simp. You can’t blame people for making fun of you.”

“Mars never forced you to come. Didn’t you come here on your own? You can’t just push all the blame onto everyone else, can you?”

Autumn couldn’t stand Lydia’s saccharine, manipulative act any longer. She reached out to shove her away. “Get away from me! I’m talking to Mars. What gives you the right to butt in? You think you’re his spokesperson?”

Autumn’s hand had barely moved when Lydia let out a scream and threw herself backward, crashing hard onto the coffee table.

The drinks and fruit platter on it went flying, and the ear–splitting crash filled the room.

“Lydia!”

Mars was the first to react, rushing forward and pulling Lydia to her feet.

Seeing her soaked in alcohol and fruit juice, a complete mess, Mars’s face contorted with rage. He spun around and shoved Autumn hard,

“Autumn, that’s enough! She’s your sister! How could you be so violent? If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay!”

The powerful push sent Autumn stumbling backward, losing her balance and collapsing onto the sofa.

Thankfully, the soft cushions absorbed most of the impact, and she managed to brace herself with her hands on the backrest. Otherwise, her stomach would have taken another blow.

“I didn’t even push her!”

She had wanted to push Lydia away, but her hand hadn’t even made contact.

Was Mars blind?

“Still trying to deny it?”

Mars’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “There are a dozen people here who saw it. Are you saying we’re all lying to frame you?”

The others, stunned by the sisterly drama, quickly and unhesitatingly sided with Mars and Lydia.

“Autumn, you’re way too petty. Was anything Lydia said wrong? Haven’t you come running every single time? Nobody forced you.”

“It’s because you’re such a simp that we lose our bets every time. If you’ve got so much pride, why did you still show up like a little lapdog?”

Autumn clenched her fists.

She wanted to scream that she hadn’t come willingly at all. If Mars hadn’t been threatening her with their grandmother’s

house, she would never have come!

But Lydia didn’t give her the chance.

She nestled pitifully in Mars’s arms and spoke in a choked voice. “Everyone, please stop talking about Autumn. She’s only

like this because she loves Mars so much.”

“She’s pregnant, and I’m fine. Let’s just drop what happened.”

The moment Lydia finished, Mars was the first to object. “No!”

“So what if she’s pregnant? She’s so petty, attacking her own sister over and over. Does she think being pregnant makes her some kind of queen?”

“Autumn, you get over here and apologize to your sister right now! If she doesn’t forgive you, you’re not leaving here

tonight!”

A flicker of triumph flashed in Lydia’s eyes, but when she looked at Mars, her expression was once again one of sweet understanding.

“Let’s not, Mars. Autumn is such a proud person. You shouldn’t force her.”

“Autumn, I’m really okay. You should just apologize to Mars. I know it was wrong for everyone to bet on you, but it’s not like they caused you any real harm. You shouldn’t make everyone unhappy over something so small. It puts Mars in a difficult position, too.”

Hearing this, the others immediately began praising Lydia for being so kind and considerate.

Autumn was suddenly the enemy. Every eye in the room was fixed on her, burning with judgment. If she didn’t apologize tonight, they clearly weren’t going to let this go.