**TITLE: Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**
A whimsical thought flitted through Owen Bennett’s mind, igniting a warm smile that illuminated his features.
“Could you whip up a late-night snack for me? If my wife feels even the slightest pang of hunger, I’d appreciate it if you could bring it right to her,” he said, his voice light yet tinged with sincerity.
Mrs. Turner’s smile blossomed into a radiant beam, her eyes sparkling with a genuine warmth. “Of course, Mr. Bennett. I’ll ensure it’s done.”
With a satisfied hum escaping his lips, Owen ascended the staircase, the soft thud of his footsteps reverberating gently against the polished wooden steps.
In her room, Autumn Lopez felt a surge of anxiety ripple through her. The thought that Owen might decide to follow her up sent a shiver down her spine.
This moment was peculiar—she had let her childish, petulant side peek through, a side she had never dared to unveil to him before.
What had compelled her to act so whimsically? The huff that had escaped her lips was impulsive, a tiny act of rebellion against the suffocating constraints of her life.
Her past, so deeply entwined with the expectations of the Lopez family, had gradually eroded her true essence. The whirlwind of her married life had further diluted her identity.
At times, she found herself struggling to recall who she truly was beneath the layers of obligation and expectation.
In that ephemeral moment, it felt as if she could hear the sound of chains snapping, the burdens of her past lifting ever so slightly.
With Owen, she realized she didn’t have to wear the facade of the perfect daughter or the dutiful wife, tirelessly laboring behind the scenes for her husband.
She could simply be Autumn—unfiltered and authentically herself.
If unhappiness shadowed her, she could sulk or even throw a minor tantrum without fear of judgment. If joy bubbled within, she could laugh freely, unrestrained. If a craving struck, she could indulge it without a second thought.
Owen was like a vast, welcoming ocean, embracing her regardless of her mood, and it felt liberating.
Biting her lip, Autumn scolded herself internally. “Get a grip, Autumn. You need to pull yourself together.”
Owen and the Bennetts were genuinely interested in the life growing within her, not in her as an individual.
She couldn’t allow herself to be swept away simply because someone showed her kindness.
To do so would be to test her luck, to exploit his generosity, and that was something she couldn’t permit herself to do.
A notification pinged on her phone, breaking her reverie. It was a message from the private investigator. The news that Mars Wright had visited Hannah King immediately after leaving the Lopez house sent a chilling shiver down her spine. Suppressing her emotions, she typed back with steady fingers: [Keep watching him. The more evidence, the better.]
**Chapter 143**
The moment for confrontation was drawing ever closer, and Autumn was resolute in her determination to remain vigilant.
Even though Mars and his associates appeared blissfully unaware of any underlying tension, she understood that one misstep could jeopardize her chances for a smooth divorce.
[Don’t worry.]
Her case had funded a significant technological upgrade for the firm—now they could capture high-definition video. She had no doubt that they would execute her instructions flawlessly.
In fact, they were eagerly anticipating the moment when the truth would finally come to light.
The reactions would undoubtedly be monumental.
Autumn was blissfully unaware of the thoughts swirling in the investigator’s mind. She tidied her space a bit, feeling the weight of fatigue tugging at her.
Pregnancy was making her increasingly drowsy, her body growing heavier with each passing day. She resolved to strike a balance between work and rest.
It was crucial to ensure she got enough sleep while also monitoring the duration of her naps to avoid being wide awake come nightfall.
After a brief respite, she opened her laptop, diving back into work.
Despite the new company steadily gaining momentum, Autumn was not one to be a distant owner.
She was actively involved in every project, ensuring that operations remained firmly under her control.
After Mars’s betrayal, she had learned a vital lesson: a career would never betray you.
She had to maintain a firm grip on her own destiny.
Meanwhile, Mars had found Hannah and shared his decision with her.
To his surprise, she didn’t object. In fact, a glimmer of eagerness sparked in her eyes.
“Mars, Lydia and I will be sharing an office space. You won’t show favoritism toward her, will you?” she asked, a playful hint in her voice.
Mars smiled, lifting Hannah’s chin gently. “Of course not.”
“You’re superior to her in every way. Anyone with eyes can see who the right choice is,” she declared, her laughter ringing like music in the air.
Hannah enveloped him in a warm embrace, her joy palpable. “That’s wonderful! I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to support you.”
Mars pulled her close, savoring the moment.
She was a new conquest, and he was still basking in the thrill of the chase.
Especially considering how Autumn had not rejected his kiss earlier that day, and the tantalizing promise of a surprise for his birthday lingered in the air.
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