The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 149

**Chapter 149**

Mars Wright had only just stepped away from the confines of his office when the shrill ring of his phone shattered the stillness that enveloped him. The sound cut through his thoughts like a knife, and he felt a familiar tension coil in his stomach. His first instinct was to brace himself for yet another dramatic episode from his wife, Autumn Lopez.

With a sigh that was laced with irritation, he answered the call, his voice tinged with frustration. “Autumn! Have you completely lost your compassion? Lydia is your sister! Are you really going to just sit there and watch her suffer? I never thought you could be this heartless.”

His words hung heavy in the air, a reflection of his genuine confusion and anger. Autumn was supposed to be the one who handled crises with grace, yet here he was, feeling utterly abandoned. Why did she have to be so infuriatingly obstinate? Why couldn’t she just step up and support him as she always had in the past?

“Mr. Wright… it’s me.”

The voice on the other end was that of an employee, sounding bewildered and taken aback by Mars’s fiery outburst. There was a moment of awkward silence as the employee collected himself, finally managing to introduce himself.

“It’s you?”

Mars hadn’t anticipated that it would actually be one of his staff members, and a wave of embarrassment washed over him, cold and unwelcome.

“What’s the reason for your call?”

As he spoke, a sudden rush of guilt surged through him, forcing him to reconsider his harsh words. He thought about Autumn, and how often he had misjudged her. His heart felt heavy, lodged somewhere deep in his throat. She wouldn’t just abandon her responsibilities, would she? Would she really be angry with him for this?

In the past, he would have been completely assured of his stance, but now, uncertainty gnawed at him like a hungry beast. Autumn’s recent behavior had indeed been alarming, and the creeping dread that she might walk out on him at any moment was almost suffocating. The more he pondered, the more frantic his thoughts spiraled, urging him to turn the car around and head back to her.

“Mars… it hurts so much…” Lydia’s soft whimper broke through the chaos in his mind, pulling him back to the present moment.

Lydia Lopez, acutely aware of Mars’s internal struggle, quickly interjected, sensing his hesitation. As he glanced at her, he noted the swelling on her face—a stark reminder that time was slipping away. With a surge of determination, he pressed down on the accelerator, barking into the phone, “Just tell me what’s going on! I’m driving here!”

The employee, sensing the urgency in Mars’s voice, wasted no time in relaying the distressing news: Autumn had left with a sponsor. Mars was momentarily struck dumb, his mind racing to process this alarming information.

“So she took them. And? She might not be my executive secretary anymore, but she’s still my wife. Are you saying she would actually scare off a sponsor?”

The employee, recognizing the naivete in Mars’s question, cleared his throat, his voice steady but serious. “But Mr. Wright, regarding the Mistveil Group project earlier… I don’t doubt Ms. Lopez’s capabilities, but if she genuinely wanted to secure the sponsorship, she could have easily signed the contract at Cloudbreak. Why would she choose to take them elsewhere?”

A shiver ran down Mars’s spine as the reality sank in, like a cold wave crashing over him. Only then did he recall Autumn’s past misstep, the one that had caused them so much grief.

“I’ll call Autumn shortly and get to the bottom of this.”

“Make sure the legal department stays alert. We need to see if Autumn sends over an electronic contract.”

“Understood.”

As he ended the call, his finger hovered over Autumn’s number, poised to dial. But Lydia’s cry of pain pierced through his thoughts once more, grounding him in the moment.

Hannah King, seated beside him, chimed in with a gentle reminder, her voice soothing, “You’re still driving. Focus on the road; you can always call later.”

After a moment’s contemplation, Mars nodded, realizing she was right. He still had a flicker of confidence left. Autumn was already at home, but she rushed over to Cloudbreak when she received the call. That proved she still cared deeply about the company—and about him.

She wouldn’t let this sponsor slip away. The employee was simply overthinking the situation. Autumn was not the type to play both sides; she loved him too much. She secured this sponsor for him; why would she ever betray that trust?

As those thoughts swirled in his mind, he began to feel a wave of calm wash over him. He turned to Hannah and Lydia, offering them a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll be at the hospital very soon.”

With that, he lapsed into silence, concentrating on the road ahead.

Hannah and Lydia exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They both began to realize just how embarrassing their earlier confrontation at the company entrance had been. Deep down, they understood that if they continued their squabble, it would only serve to benefit someone else. So, they decided to unite, for the moment, to keep Mars firmly on their side.

Sometimes, the most profound communication occurs without uttering a single word. Mars remained blissfully unaware that the two women, who had just been at each other’s throats, had forged an unspoken alliance. At this moment, his focus was entirely on reaching the hospital, oblivious to the evolving dynamics in the car.

Meanwhile, Autumn Lopez was navigating her own storm, having effortlessly convinced the sponsor, Maxwell Walker, to shift their allegiance to her new company. The admiration in his voice was palpable.

They headed to a private restaurant, The Gourmet Kitchen. Autumn had intended to leave right after the meal, but just as they placed their orders, her phone buzzed with a message from Owen Bennett, asking if she was finished with her meeting.

Autumn replied that she was having dinner with the sponsor.

Owen’s response was quick: “Wait for me.”

Then, silence enveloped her.

Autumn gripped her phone tightly, confusion clouding her thoughts. What does he mean by that? Is he coming to pick me up, or does he plan to join us for dinner?

But I just told him I was with a sponsor. Owen wouldn’t risk blowing his cover, would he?

Her heart raced, pounding against her chest. Logically, he wouldn’t. But Owen Bennett was not one to adhere strictly to logic.

She continued to engage in small talk with Maxwell for a few more minutes until a knock echoed at the door of their private room.

**Conclusion**

In the chaotic swirl of emotions that enveloped Mars Wright, a reluctant understanding began to emerge. His initial ire towards Autumn transformed into a realization of the weight of his own judgments. As he navigated the tumultuous road to the hospital, the pain of Lydia’s condition served as a poignant backdrop against which his fears and insecurities about Autumn’s loyalty and capabilities played out. The moment he chose to focus on the road ahead, letting go of the anxiety that had gripped him, marked a subtle shift in his emotional landscape. Mars’s newfound calmness was a testament to his deep-seated trust in Autumn, a trust that began to overshadow the doubts that had clouded his mind. He understood that the strength of their bond was not diminished by the challenges they faced; rather, it was reinforced by the trials that tested their commitment to one another.

Meanwhile, Autumn’s own journey was unfolding in parallel, a testament to her resilience and ambition. As she secured the sponsorship that Mars feared she might jeopardize, her confidence shone through, revealing the depth of her dedication to both her career and her marriage. The unexpected alliance she formed with Maxwell Walker underscored her ability to navigate the complexities of the business world, even as her personal life hung in the balance. The uncertainty surrounding her relationship with Owen Bennett added another layer of complexity, yet it was clear that Autumn was not merely a pawn in a game; she was a player in her own right, making choices that would define her future. As both Mars and Autumn faced their respective challenges, the chapter closed with a sense of hope—an acknowledgment that while the road ahead was fraught with obstacles, their love and determination would guide them toward a brighter, more harmonious existence.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension escalates in the aftermath of Autumn’s unexpected departure, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions in the next chapter. Mars Wright, grappling with guilt and uncertainty, will be forced to confront the ramifications of his earlier outburst. With Lydia’s condition hanging in the balance, the stakes are higher than ever, and Mars must navigate the turbulent waters of his personal life while trying to maintain his professional responsibilities. Will he manage to reach out to Autumn in time to mend their fraying relationship, or will his doubts push her further away?

Meanwhile, Autumn’s bold move to secure the sponsor’s allegiance will undoubtedly lead to unforeseen complications. As she engages in a delicate dance with Maxwell Walker, readers will witness the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that emerge from her decision. With Owen Bennett’s unexpected appearance looming on the horizon, the tension in the air thickens. What does he want? Will he disrupt Autumn’s carefully laid plans, or will he offer her the support she desperately needs? The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of ambition, loyalty, and the choices that define our lives, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama.