The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 154

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

Autumn had no desire to justify her feelings to Mars.

With a steady resolve, she continued, “You’re well aware that my relationship with my family is unraveling, yet you still choose to side with them and heap pressure on me. Sometimes, I genuinely question your loyalty to me and Lydia.”

A wave of panic surged through Mars, leaving him breathless.

The weight of guilt clawed at him, preventing him from grasping the full implications of Autumn’s words.

His gaze flitted around, restless and anxious. He yearned to articulate his thoughts, yet his mind was a chaotic maze of uncertainty.

“Autumn…” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

On the other end of the line, Oliver, oblivious to Mars’s turmoil, shouted with an impatience that echoed through the air, “Autumn Lopez, if you have an issue, just swallow it! I’m merely asking for a small favor. How much trouble could it possibly be?”

“Get over here with Mars right now, or don’t blame me for what happens next!”

Mars, who had been floundering in a sea of confusion, seized upon Oliver’s ultimatum as though it were a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters.

He addressed Autumn with a tone that bordered on pleading, “Autumn, please, let’s just be reasonable. Lydia is our priority right now. We need to get there quickly. I promise, once this is all sorted out, I’ll dedicate myself to fixing what we have.”

He had likely become so accustomed to his deceptive ways that he truly believed that his mere willingness to return to her was the grandest gesture he could offer.

It never crossed his mind that while he was lost in thoughts of returning to their once-happy life, Autumn was already counting down the days until she would finally end their marriage.

The final day loomed ominously closer.

Autumn met his gaze with a long, penetrating look before conceding with a simple nod. “Alright.”

I’ll consider this the last act in our tragic play, she mused.

After all, the Lopez family and Mars couldn’t maintain their charade for much longer.

The elevator glided upward with a smoothness that belied the tension in the air.

Elated by Autumn’s reluctant agreement, Mars felt a surge of happiness, blissfully unaware of the way her hand slipped into her pocket, her fingers flying across her phone’s screen in a flurry of secretive messages.

It was a skill she had honed in her early career, deftly negotiating with clients while simultaneously texting her team, ensuring they were ready to spring into action with a proposal at a moment’s notice.

A quick trip to the restroom was all it took for her to catch up on her company’s strategies and the client’s needs, a little trick that had helped her secure numerous clients over the years.

Though Autumn had verbally consented to accompany Mars, she had no intention of being a passive participant in this unfolding drama.

Especially not now that she was carrying a child. If any member of the Lopez family dared to lift a finger against her, Owen Bennett would ensure they faced the consequences.

Ding. The elevator doors parted, and before Autumn could gather her thoughts, Oliver stormed in like a whirlwind, yanking her out of the elevator with an urgency that startled her.

She stumbled a few steps before regaining her balance, just as Oliver’s voice cut through the air impatiently, “Doctor, my other daughter is here! Look at her skin—so soft and delicate, absolutely perfect for Lydia’s skin graft.”

“You should take it from her face. I don’t know how much she’s spent on skincare, but it’s definitely the most tender.”

Oliver’s words struck Autumn like a bolt of lightning, igniting a whirlwind of emotions within her.

She had envisioned countless scenarios in her mind, but this was a twist she had never anticipated.

Her head whipped around to meet Mars’s gaze, but he was so engulfed in guilt that he couldn’t muster the courage to look her in the eye.

“It’s best not to involve a pregnant woman in a skin graft. Anesthesia is necessary when taking skin tissue, and that’s certainly not safe for someone expecting,” she interjected, her voice steady and assertive.

Oliver, however, responded as if her concern were trivial, “Then don’t use any!”

At those words, it wasn’t just the doctor who was taken aback—even Mars could no longer remain silent.

“Dad, what are you saying? It’ll hurt Autumn if you don’t use anesthesia!”

“Such intense emotional distress would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the baby,” he added, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.

Whether it was a flicker of conscience or genuine worry for the child growing inside Autumn, Mars managed a sheepish smile as he proposed a compromise. “How about this? I’ll find someone willing to donate a small piece of skin.”

“It’s just a simple procedure. If we offer enough money, I’m sure someone will be willing.”

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