The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 167

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma – Chapter 167**

The memories of Lydia danced chaotically in Mars’s mind, relentless and vivid, like a storm that refused to settle. He slammed his foot down on the accelerator, the engine roaring in response, mirroring the tumult within him. How could he have allowed himself to be drawn into a web of intimacy with someone like her? The question gnawed at him, each recollection a dagger twisting deeper into his heart.

The burden of his choices pressed down on him like a mountain, especially the grim reality that a child now tethered him to Lydia. It felt as though a hammer was relentlessly striking his skull, each blow resonating with regret and a profound sense of loss.

Why had he ever consented to swap the embryos?

Autumn had been nothing short of extraordinary, a radiant beacon illuminating the darkest corners of his life. How could he have been so reckless as to gamble away their future together?

The ache of betrayal clawed at him, sharper than any physical pain.

In this moment of anguish, the longing for Autumn surged within him, more intense than he had ever felt before.

Her countless virtues flitted through his thoughts, each one a piercing reminder of his folly as he chased after what he now realized was nothing but fool’s gold, all the while neglecting the true treasure that was Autumn.

He could no longer endure the weight of his decisions. With a surge of urgency, he pulled the car over, tires screeching against the asphalt, and fumbled for his phone, desperate to reach her.

Surely, she would answer on the first ring. He had rehearsed an entire speech in his mind—an apology, a heartfelt plea for her to return home. But when the automated voice greeted him instead, it felt as if a bucket of ice-cold water had been splashed over him, extinguishing the flicker of hope he had clung to.

Stunned and bewildered, he grappled with the unsettling reality of her silence.

“Pick up, Autumn, damn it!” he shouted into the emptiness, frustration bubbling over like a boiling pot.

He dialed again, his heart racing with every ring, each one amplifying his anxiety.

Still nothing.

He tried again, and again, losing track of time as he continued to call, only to feel the cold dread settle in when his phone finally died. A chilling realization gripped him—

If Autumn had chosen to shut him out, he had no means of reaching her.

How could this be…?

They were married.

They were supposed to be each other’s lifelines, unwavering and steadfast.

In the past, when he couldn’t reach her, he could convince himself that she was merely upset and giving him the silent treatment.

But now, the truth loomed over him like a dark cloud, heavy and foreboding.

Autumn’s recent odd behavior ignited a terrifying suspicion within him. He turned the car back on, determination surging through him as he sped toward Cloudbreak, the place where he had always felt a semblance of control.

“Has Autumn Lopez been here?” he demanded as he stormed into the office, grabbing his assistant by the collar, his eyes blazing with urgency.

The assistant, taken aback by Mars’s sudden aggression, paled visibly. “N-no… Didn’t Secretary Autumn resign? Why would she come back?”

His words were factual, yet they struck Mars like a slap across the face.

Everyone at Cloudbreak was aware of Autumn’s resignation.

Only Mars had remained blissfully ignorant, having assumed her so-called “resignation” was merely an early maternity leave.

“Can you get in touch with her, then?” he pressed, desperation seeping into his voice, a plea masked as a demand.

“Right, you call her,” the assistant suggested, his voice shaky. “Tell her she left some things at the office and needs to come get them right away.”

Noticing the frantic look on Mars’s face, the assistant hesitated, concern etched across his features. “Mr. Wright, are you okay? Did something happen?”

Mars had no time for niceties. “Cut the crap and call her now!” he roared, his frustration spilling over like a dam bursting.

The atmosphere in the Executive Office shifted, everyone startled by Mars’s outburst. They exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do, instinctively pulling out their phones to try reaching Autumn.

Meanwhile, Autumn remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding. After securing her shares in Cloudbreak, she had gone to meet her lawyer, her phone silenced and tucked away in her bag.

It wasn’t until their meeting concluded that she noticed the barrage of missed calls from Mars, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Just as she was piecing together the situation, her phone buzzed again.

“Thank god, you finally picked up!”

The voice on the other end belonged to her assistant, relief evident in his tone.

Before Autumn could inquire about the urgency, the line crackled, and then Mars’s voice surged through, raw and demanding. “Autumn, where are you?”

She realized the noise must have been Mars snatching the phone from his assistant, and a frown crossed her face. “What is it?” she replied, her tone sharp and unyielding.

His words struck her like a punch to the gut. “Autumn? Are you still mad at me?”

In his eyes, she was nothing more than an extension of himself, a possession he needed to control.

She wasn’t allowed to express dissatisfaction or resistance. If she did, it meant she was unfaithful, devoid of any loyalty.

“Mars, I really don’t have the patience for your drama. I meet up with a friend and you lose your mind, but you can stick to Lydia like glue? What does that make you? Get to the point or I’m hanging up.”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me, Autumn!”

“You hang up, and this isn’t over!”

Fearing she might actually do it, Mars quickly changed tactics. “That sponsor… you handled it, right?”

Autumn could sense he was floundering for something to say, grasping at straws. She decided to play along, if only for a moment. “Yes.”

A wave of relief washed over Mars. “Good. I knew you were the best. Look, if you’re in a bad mood and want to be alone, that’s fine. But you did say you had a surprise for me on my birthday. Is that still happening?”

A sly smile crept onto Autumn’s lips, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “Of course.”

“Great. I’ll be waiting for my big surprise then.”

“Autumn, I promise you, after my birthday, we’ll be a proper family and live a good life, okay?”

“Okay,” she replied, her voice light and playful, yet laced with an underlying tension. “I’ll see you on your birthday, then.”

That day was destined to be one Mars would never forget.

**Conclusion**

In the tumultuous exchange between Mars and Autumn, the emotional stakes reached a fever pitch, revealing the fragility of their bond. Mars’s desperate attempts to reconnect with Autumn highlighted the depth of his remorse and longing, yet they also exposed the cracks in their relationship. His realization of the gravity of his choices—the betrayal, the chaos, and the impending responsibilities—served as a wake-up call, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions. Autumn, on the other hand, emerged as a figure of strength, asserting her independence and refusing to be reduced to mere possession. Her sharp wit and resolve underscored the complexities of their marriage, as she navigated her own tumultuous feelings while grappling with the weight of their shared future.

As the chapter closed, both characters stood at a precipice, their paths intertwined yet fraught with uncertainty. Mars clung to the hope of redemption, envisioning a future where they could rebuild their family, while Autumn’s playful response hinted at a deeper strategy, one that could either mend or further fracture their relationship. The anticipation of Mars’s birthday loomed over them, promising a pivotal moment that could redefine their lives together. Ultimately, this chapter encapsulated the tumult of love, betrayal, and the quest for peace, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to witness whether Mars and Autumn could find their way back to each other or if the chasm between them would prove insurmountable.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Mars and Autumn to escalate dramatically as the weight of their unresolved issues comes crashing down. With Mars’s desperate attempts to reconnect with Autumn and the shocking revelation about her mother, the stakes have never been higher. As Mars prepares for his birthday, the anticipation builds not only for the surprise Autumn has promised but also for the confrontation that looms on the horizon. Will he finally uncover the truth behind her recent behavior, or will the secrets they both harbor continue to drive a wedge between them?

Moreover, Autumn’s newfound independence and her decision to meet with her lawyer hint at significant changes ahead. As she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Mars, readers will be left wondering how she plans to assert herself in a situation that has become increasingly volatile. Will she finally take a stand for herself and her future, or will she continue to play the role of the dutiful wife? With emotions running high and the potential for explosive revelations, the next chapter promises to be a pivotal moment in their tumultuous journey, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what unfolds next.