The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 128

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

**Chapter 128**

The heavy cloak of guilt that had once enveloped Lydia, suffocating and relentless, evaporated in an instant, leaving her breathless and bewildered.

As Mars’s words pierced through the fog of her thoughts, a startling clarity emerged, almost surreal in its intensity. For what felt like an eternity, she had nestled herself into the shadows of his life, the secret he cherished but never fully embraced. In her heart, Lydia had convinced herself of the authenticity of his affection, believing that the tenderness he lavished upon her was a true reflection of his feelings. After all, how could he treat her so gently if it wasn’t real? Wasn’t she special to him, even if society had labeled her the “other woman”?

But the crushing truth came crashing down upon her like a tidal wave, sweeping away the delicate illusions she had clung to for so long. Mars had always drawn a distinct line in the sand: a wife was a wife, and a mistress was merely a mistress. The bitter reality clawed at her insides, leaving her gasping for breath as she reckoned with the painful understanding of her role in his life.

A wave of despair washed over her as thoughts of Autumn, Mars’s wife, consumed her. Wasn’t that child still a part of Mars, regardless of the circumstances? The mere thought struck her like a bolt of lightning; she could already envision him showering that child with love and attention, something she felt would forever elude her grasp. The knowledge that he would likely prioritize his firstborn only deepened her feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

What would Autumn do if she ever uncovered the truth? The image of Autumn’s clenched jaw and forced smile haunted her, playing the role of the blissfully ignorant wife while Lydia bore the brunt of their twisted love affair. The title of “the other woman” loomed over her like a dark cloud, a social pariah condemned to linger in the shadows, forever marked by this unholy entanglement.

“Mars Wright, you’ve left me with no choice,” Lydia declared, a fierce glimmer igniting in her eyes as she picked up the pen, extending it toward him with an air of finality. “Then sign it.”

Mars, lost in his own turmoil, continued to wail about his wife and child, his pleas echoing painfully in the empty room. Frustration bubbled within her, and in a moment of unrestrained anger, her hand met his cheek with a sharp slap. “Sign this, and your wife and child will return to you.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, and for a fleeting moment, Mars’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he were a child who had just lost his way in a vast, unfamiliar place.

“Really?” he stammered, his vulnerability evident.

In that instant, his pale, handsome features stood in stark contrast to the desperation that clouded his eyes, creating a scene that tugged at the edges of her heart. Yet, Lydia felt no compassion for him. To her, men—especially those who could not elevate her status—were utterly worthless. With Mars’s one redeeming quality—his devotion—now stripped away, she felt no remorse about using him as a stepping stone to greater things. This was merely what he owed her.

“Of course,” she replied impatiently, her tone sharp as she urged him on. “If you ever wish to see your wife and child again, sign it now. Delay, and you won’t even catch a glimpse of them.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll sign!” Mars’s eyes darted nervously over the paper, his hand trembling as he fought to scrawl his name. Frustration mounted as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

“Come on, stupid hand, write! Why won’t you cooperate?!” he muttered, desperation lacing his voice.

“If Autumn doesn’t return, I’ll never forgive you!”

Listening to Mars’s mutterings, fixated solely on Autumn’s absence, was the final straw for Lydia. With an exasperated click of her tongue, she strode over, grasping his hand firmly. She guided it, stroke by stroke, inscribing his name upon the paper, then added her own signature before shoving him away with cold indifference.

Mars stumbled backward, losing his balance and collapsing onto the floor, landing amidst the scattered takeout containers that littered the ground. Covered in remnants of their meal, he looked like a man utterly forsaken by the world.

Lydia felt no urge to spare him a second glance. She scooped up the signed document, her mind already racing ahead to her next move.

“Autumn…”

“Where’s Autumn?”

Mars’s mournful cries trailed after her, a haunting echo that lingered in the silence of the room.

Lydia pursed her lips, muttering under her breath, “Go dream of your precious Autumn,” as she yanked the door open with a forceful tug.

“Ah—”

A woman stood just outside, and Lydia’s sudden movement startled her, causing her to stumble back, nearly losing her footing on the stairs.

Lydia frowned, peering down at her from the top step. “Who are you? What are you doing lurking around my house?”

In that fleeting moment, Lydia’s instincts kicked in.

The woman was impeccably dressed, her bold makeup hinting at a vibrant personality—clearly someone who thrived on attention. What business could a woman like this have at Autumn and Mars’s front door?

Could she be yet another complication in Mars’s already tangled web?

“Are you… Lydia Lopez?”

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