The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 117

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

**Chapter 117**

Standing outside Owen’s house, Autumn felt as though she were caught in a tempest of emotions, each thought crashing into the next like tumultuous waves battering against the shore. *This is Owen’s home,* she mused, her heart fluttering with a flicker of hope. *Where could he possibly be?* Yet, as quickly as that hope surged, doubt seeped in, whispering to her that he hadn’t been around much lately. The way she framed her question felt almost like a silent plea, a desperate wish for his presence, and that realization sent a chill coursing through her.

“Ahem, what I meant was…” she faltered, her voice trembling as she struggled to gather her scattered thoughts. The silence between them stretched on, heavy and oppressive, as she wrestled with the right words to deflect his curious gaze.

“Hmmm?” Owen’s voice broke through her reverie, laced with curiosity as he awaited her response with an air of patient expectation.

With each passing moment, Autumn felt the heat rise in her cheeks, a wave of embarrassment washing over her. The longer she fumbled for words, the more her face flushed, a vivid reminder of the emotional turmoil roiling within her.

Just when she thought she might implode from the pressure, a soft chuckle drifted down from above, breaking the tension like a gentle breeze.

Owen reached out, his fingers playfully tousling her hair, his warm voice wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. “I have a few things to take care of, so I’ll be back later. You go on home and get some rest.”

In that fleeting moment, something inside Autumn shattered, leaving her momentarily stunned and bewildered.

She couldn’t quite articulate the cacophony of emotions swirling within her, but instinctively, she looked up, her eyes locking onto Owen’s radiant smile.

*God, this man is handsome,* she thought, her breath hitching slightly in her throat.

His features were strikingly sharp, perfectly sculpted, as if crafted by a master artisan. When he was serious, he exuded an aura of cold authority, wrapped in an indifference that could intimidate anyone who dared to cross his path. But now, with that soft smile gracing his lips, Autumn glimpsed a side of him that felt almost intimate, as if they shared a bond that transcended their brief acquaintance.

Yet, a voice in her mind whispered that they had only known each other for a fleeting month.

*Owen must be this kind to me because of the baby, right?* The thought made sense to her. After all, she was the mother of his child. Even if this baby wasn’t the typical “fruit of our love,” it was still a life they had created together, a connection that bound them in ways she was only beginning to understand.

With a heavy heart, Autumn lowered her gaze, attempting to ignore the flicker of loneliness that threatened to engulf her. She forced a smile, trying to mask her inner turmoil. “Okay.”

Owen noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor, but before he could voice his concern, Autumn had already turned and made her way to the car.

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet silent, following her lead without pressing further.

Moments later, the phone rang, the sound slicing through the air as the auction organizer reached out to Owen.

Despite the chaos of the day’s events not being their fault, they were profusely apologetic, promising to send over a gift as a token of their regret.

Autumn stood by, utterly speechless, absorbing the weight of the situation.

*This is the power of status,* she thought, marveling at the influence Owen wielded.

Owen’s expression remained stoic, revealing little as he listened to their apologies. He offered them no special treatment, simply responding with a curt “It’s fine” before moving on.

A laugh almost escaped Autumn’s lips.

*Is this the composed demeanor of the CEO of the Bennett Group?*

Here he was, the orchestrator of the entire drama, yet he accepted their apologies with the coolness of someone entirely unfazed. In that moment, the chasm between her and Owen felt more pronounced than ever.

*I could never pull something like that off,* she thought, shaking her head at the thought of her own insecurities.

“What’s so funny?”

Owen had hung up the phone, his keen eyes catching the curve of Autumn’s lips. His voice was deep, a rich timbre that sent a shiver down her spine.

Autumn froze, her hand instinctively brushing her lips. She hadn’t even realized she was smiling.

Clearing her throat to mask her embarrassment, she replied, “Nothing.”

“Just thinking it must be nice to be so important.”

Owen raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze as he grasped the implication of her words. He chuckled softly. “You’re getting an apology gift, too.”

“Huh?” Autumn was taken aback, genuine surprise washing over her. “I am?”

She had no connection to the auction organizer; why would they consider sending her a gift?

“You’re the future Autumn. It’s only natural he’d want to get on your good side.”

Autumn fell silent, her thoughts swirling. *How does he know that?*

Owen’s eyes met hers, a knowing smile gracing his lips, but he said nothing more.

For a moment, Autumn felt lost in a sea of confusion.

*Don’t tell me this is how Owen introduces me to people?*

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