The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 170

The voice rang out, sharp and jarring, slicing through the air like a knife. Nathan Parker was so taken aback that he stumbled, nearly losing his footing on the stairs. His heart raced as he fought to regain his balance, the world around him momentarily spinning.

Autumn Lopez was nearest to him, her instincts kicking in without hesitation. She couldn’t simply stand by and watch him fall. With a swift motion, she reached out, her hand steadying him as she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern, “Are you okay, Mr. Parker?”

In that fleeting moment, Autumn’s mind raced with the implications of his potential injury. This was the business partner she had meticulously chosen for her plan to get back at Mars Wright. If Nathan were to hurt himself here, her carefully laid scheme would be thrown into disarray, perhaps even put on indefinite hold.

To Autumn, her reaction felt utterly natural. It was only human to offer assistance in a moment of peril, wasn’t it? But the few onlookers, watching from a distance, clearly had a different perspective on the unfolding drama.

Among them was a young woman emerging from a sleek black sedan, her expression a tempest of fury. This was Madelyn, Nathan Parker’s niece, and her eyes sparked with an intensity that could ignite a fire. Without a moment’s hesitation, she stormed toward Autumn and Nathan, her anger manifesting in a sudden shove that sent Autumn stumbling backward.

Caught off guard, Autumn staggered a few steps before the sturdy doorpost halted her fall. Had it not been there, she would have landed unceremoniously on the ground, a humiliating fate she narrowly avoided.

Nathan, still reeling from his near tumble, felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He was no longer the sprightly young man he once was; age had crept up on him, leaving behind a body that was not nearly as resilient. His last medical check-up had even revealed early signs of osteoporosis.

Had he actually fallen, the consequences could have been dire—he might have found himself confined to bed for weeks, nursing injuries that could have been easily avoided. But now, witnessing Autumn’s near misfortune, a new wave of concern flooded his mind.

She’s pregnant! The thought struck him with a jolt. If anything were to happen to her, he would bear the weight of that responsibility.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Nathan propelled himself forward, pushing the furious young woman aside as he rushed to help Autumn regain her balance. Only once he was sure she was steady did he turn his attention to Madelyn, disappointment etched across his face. “Madelyn, look at what you’ve done!” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

“How could you attack a pregnant woman? Have you lost your mind?”

Madelyn felt a flicker of regret, but her fiery temper quickly extinguished any remorse. She had received a tip earlier that day, one that accused her uncle of cheating on her aunt, and that had fueled her rush to confront him.

As she approached, she had repeatedly reminded herself to remain calm, to gather hard evidence that could aid her aunt. But the moment she stepped out of the car and laid eyes on her uncle with a young woman, all rational thought fled.

Now, not only had she failed to procure any proof, but she had also nearly caused harm to someone innocent. A cold sweat broke out along her spine. While she was known for her domineering nature, she never wished to see anyone get seriously hurt.

“You’re yelling at me?” Madelyn retorted, indignation swelling within her. She glared at Nathan, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Would I be this angry if you hadn’t done something to betray my aunt?”

“Who is this woman?” she demanded, her voice rising.

“You better explain this to me, Uncle, or I swear I won’t let this go!”

She pulled out her phone, her expression fierce. “And don’t even think about lying to me. I already texted my aunt and the others on my way here. They’ll all be here soon, and then we’ll see how you try to lie your way out of this!”

Nathan was taken aback, never having imagined that Madelyn would leap to such a hasty conclusion—that he and Autumn were involved in something inappropriate. His face flushed with embarrassment, a deep crimson spreading across his cheeks.

“Have you said enough?! Ms. Lopez is my business partner. Don’t spread such nonsense.”

Madelyn’s skepticism was palpable.

Her eyes raked over Autumn, scrutinizing her as if she were something repugnant. She sneered, “Uncle, do you hear yourself? A business partner? Her? What kind of respectable person holds a business meeting at a clubhouse while pregnant?!”

“Besides, that woman doesn’t look like any businesswoman I’ve ever seen. What kind of business could you two possibly be discussing? Business in the bedroom?”

The words were vile, and Autumn felt her brow furrow in frustration.

This was Nathan Parker’s family drama, and she had no desire to be embroiled in it. Yet, with such insults being hurled at her, she felt compelled to defend herself. If she remained silent, she would be perceived as weak.

“Excuse me, miss. I apologize for interrupting, but there’s something I need you to understand. Mr. Parker and I are indeed business partners. Please refrain from speculating about our relationship with such malice. It’s unfair to Mr. Parker and constitutes slander against me.”

She was a pregnant woman, after all. Madelyn’s disgusting accusations felt like a direct affront not only to her but to her unborn child as well.

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