The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 144

**Title: Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**

It is often said that winning a woman’s heart is a straightforward endeavor, yet Mars Wright was now experiencing the profound complexities of that notion in a manner he had never foreseen.

The evening had unfolded like a beautifully chaotic tapestry, with Mars and Hannah entwined for what felt like an eternity, each moment stretching into the next until Hannah finally surrendered herself to him entirely.

“I’m yours, Mars,” she breathed, her voice a tantalizing whisper, warm and inviting against his skin. “I’ll do anything for you, as long as I can be with you.”

In that electrifying instant, Mars’s ego surged to dizzying heights. He felt invincible, as if he were the king of the world, the very embodiment of desire and ambition.

Yet, at home, he had a steadfast partner, Autumn Lopez, a woman whose unwavering strength grounded him. Soon, they would welcome their first child into the world, a moment that should have filled him with joy. But on the periphery of his life loomed Lydia Lopez, the girl of his dreams, and now, he had also ensnared Hannah King, the affluent heiress, as his latest conquest.

He reveled in the notion that he was the protagonist in a fantastical harem tale—the kind of man who effortlessly attracted women, each vying for his attention and affection.

Surrounded by admirers, some offering emotional support and others professional opportunities, it seemed as though their very existence was to help him ascend even further in life.

At the tender age of thirty, he stood as the CEO of Cloudbreak Corporation, a name whispered in awe throughout the business community, regarded as a dark horse with untapped potential.

Give it a little more time, and he, Mars Wright, would undoubtedly find himself on the same pedestal as Owen Bennett.

Owen, born into privilege, had a starting point far above the rest. If he had begun from Mars’s humble origins, he likely wouldn’t have reached such heights.

The more Mars pondered this, the more self-satisfied he became, a smug grin creeping across his face.

He leaned down to give Hannah one last tender caress before rising from the bed, his heart still racing, and padded toward the bathroom to freshen up.

Hannah watched him disappear behind the bathroom door, a grin spreading across her face as she snapped a photo of her own body, adorned with marks that told the story of their passionate night.

With a few swift taps, she opened WhatsApp, selected a contact, and sent the image, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Meanwhile, Lydia Lopez was still awake, her mind racing after the chaos that had unfolded. She needed to devise a strategy for her next move.

With this new complication in Mars’s life, her carefully laid plans to seduce the CEO of Bennett Group had come to an abrupt halt.

Mars remained crucial to her ambitions, and she wasn’t ready to let him slip away just yet.

As for that little vixen, Hannah, Lydia felt no concern.

Hannah had pursued Mars with relentless fervor in the past and had gotten nowhere. Lydia was confident that Mars wouldn’t lower his standards to be with her now.

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, her phone buzzed, signaling a new message.

She opened it casually, but her heart raced as her eyes landed on the photo.

The disheveled bed, the unmistakable marks, and Mars’s clothes scattered across the floor screamed the undeniable truth—they had spent the night together.

Fury coursed through Lydia’s veins, igniting a fire within her. Without a moment’s hesitation, she dialed Hannah’s number, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Hello?”

Hannah’s voice was sultry and husky, the kind that hinted at post-exercise exhaustion.

In the background, Lydia could faintly hear the sound of running water. Mars was likely in the shower, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on the other end of the line.

This audacious woman had the gall to send her such a provocative message right after their rendezvous?

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Lydia’s voice was sharp, her emotions bubbling to the surface like a boiling pot. “Weren’t you supposed to be working with me? Why are you trying to steal my man? Don’t you know Mars is married?”

Hannah’s response was infuriatingly calm, almost mocking.

“Well, is he married to you?”

Lydia was momentarily speechless, her mind racing to find a retort.

Her silence only fueled Hannah’s confidence, prompting a triumphant chuckle. “We’re essentially doing the same thing, Lydia. You can’t really protect your territory when you don’t have the right to, can you?”

“Besides, I’m a step up from you. At least I’m not Autumn Lopez’s sister.”

“You!”

Lydia gritted her teeth in rage, her fists clenching as she fought against the urge to lash out. But the distance between them felt insurmountable. She couldn’t leap through the phone to settle the score.

The doctor had advised her to let her injuries heal properly; any further strain could leave lasting scars.

Lydia was fixated on her appearance; it was her ticket into high society and her key to capturing the attention of wealthy men.

There was no way she would allow a single scar to mar her flawless skin.

“What do you really want?”

Lydia was genuinely perplexed by Hannah’s motives.

Didn’t she claim Autumn was cheating? Was that all just a ruse? Had she always intended to target Mars from the beginning?

“Our goals are aligned,” Hannah replied with a sly smile that Lydia could almost hear through the phone. “It’s just unfortunate that we’re both using the same man.”

“Okay.”

She couldn’t determine if Owen was trying to shield her from the sordid details or genuinely worried about the baby growing inside her. Regardless, she had no interest in Mars’s escapades, so she decided to let the topic drop.

After breakfast, Owen left for the Bennett Group, leaving Autumn with an empty schedule.

With nothing pressing to do, she considered visiting her new company.

However, a wave of laziness washed over her, and she opted to relax at home instead.

Mrs. Turner, concerned that Autumn might grow bored, took it upon herself to inquire about her interests.

After a moment of thought, Autumn mentioned that she would love to try her hand at flower arranging.

Mrs. Turner wasted no time, immediately consulting the doctor about any plants that pregnant women should avoid. She even arranged for a vast shipment of fresh flowers to be air-freighted for Autumn to experiment with.

Even though Autumn was already aware of the Bennett family’s immense wealth, she was still taken aback by the sheer volume of flowers.

“You really didn’t need to get so many…”

Besides, Autumn wasn’t particularly skilled at flower arranging.

It would be a tremendous waste if she ended up ruining them all.

“It’s no trouble at all, ma’am. Arrange them however you wish. We can display them in the master’s study.”

Autumn fell silent, her mind racing.

Putting her less-than-stellar arrangements in Owen’s study? Did Mrs. Turner really think he wouldn’t mind?

**Conclusion**

In the intricate tapestry of relationships woven throughout this chapter, the emotional arc reaches a poignant climax. Mars Wright, basking in the thrill of his conquests, stands at the precipice of his desires, unaware of the chaos he has sown. Hannah’s bold declaration of love and her calculated moves against Lydia reveal the tumultuous nature of love and ambition, where the lines between affection and rivalry blur. Lydia, caught in a whirlwind of jealousy and vulnerability, grapples with her own insecurities, realizing that her grip on Mars is slipping. Meanwhile, Autumn, blissfully ignorant of her partner’s infidelities, faces her own emotional turmoil as she navigates impending motherhood and the complexities of her relationship with Mars. Each character’s journey intertwines, showcasing the fragility of trust and the lengths one will go to protect their heart.

As the chapter draws to a close, the impending confrontation looms, setting the stage for a reckoning that could shatter the delicate balance of their lives. The stakes are high, and the consequences of their choices will reverberate through their futures. Hannah’s triumph over Lydia, coupled with Autumn’s naivety, hints at an impending storm that will force each character to confront their true desires and the reality of their relationships. The emotional tension is palpable, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how love, ambition, and betrayal will ultimately shape their destinies. In this chase for light and peace, the path is fraught with challenges, and only time will reveal if they can find solace amidst the chaos they have created.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter of “Chasing Light, Finding Peace,” readers can expect the tension to escalate as the intricate web of relationships continues to unravel. With Hannah’s bold move to claim Mars as her own, Lydia is left reeling, forced to reassess her strategy and confront the reality that her carefully orchestrated plans are now at risk. As Autumn remains blissfully unaware of the chaos brewing around her, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation that could change everything. Will Lydia find a way to outmaneuver Hannah, or will her jealousy lead her down a path of self-destruction?

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Mars’s psyche as he juggles the weight of his decisions and the consequences of his actions. With the stakes higher than ever, will he remain oblivious to the brewing storm, or will he finally recognize the emotional turmoil he has caused? As Autumn begins to suspect that something is amiss, the tension in their marriage may reach a breaking point. Expect unexpected alliances, fierce rivalries, and a whirlwind of emotions as the characters navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and betrayal. The next chapter is bound to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined lives will collide.