The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 184

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**
**Chapter 184**

A fleeting look of bewilderment crossed Mars Wright’s face, a momentary lapse that quickly morphed into understanding.

He shot a furtive glare at Mrs. Lopez, ensuring no one was paying attention. Deep down, Mars was acutely aware that she was orchestrating a trap, skillfully maneuvering him into a tight corner.

Lydia had crafted the scene with meticulous precision, and Mars was painfully aware of the stakes involved in this twisted game.

If he chose to reject the escape route Lydia was providing, pinning the blame solely on Autumn, he would be the one left exposed and vulnerable in the spotlight.

The bright future he had envisioned just moments ago would disintegrate into nothingness, leaving him with ashes of regret.

This mother-daughter team is completely manipulating me!

Anger bubbled inside him, a tempest he had to keep at bay.

After all, regardless of how he felt, Mrs. Lopez and Lydia’s scheme was, in some perverse way, working in his favor.

As the one poised to benefit from their machinations, he couldn’t afford to harbor resentment. In fact, he owed them a strange sort of gratitude.

“I’m truly sorry, everyone. I never intended for our personal issues to be laid bare like this,” he began, his voice trembling slightly.

“Especially not on my birthday,” he added, a hint of vulnerability slipping through.

“I just wanted all of you to enjoy this day to the fullest.”

Mars’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of guilt pressing heavily upon him.

Witnessing a man in his thirties wear such a pained expression stirred a wave of sympathy among many women in the crowd, their hearts softening at the sight.

Yet, the majority of the onlookers were not there for empathy; they craved the spectacle. They bypassed his heartfelt display and cut straight to the heart of the matter. “So, Mr. Wright, are you admitting your wife has been unfaithful?”

“Wait, Autumn Lopez actually cheated?”

“Oh my god, when did this happen? How did we not hear a whisper about it before!”

The crowd erupted into a flurry of whispers, their faces glowing with an insatiable thirst for gossip.

A sly smirk danced across Lydia’s lips as she observed the unfolding drama.

This is precisely what I wanted.

But it’s still not enough,

she mused, her thoughts racing.

Turning to Mars, she feigned a sob, her voice quaking with faux emotion. “Mars, I realize how hard everything has been for you lately. Our family has wronged you deeply.”

“I never imagined my sister would actually…”

Her voice trailed off, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

Mars waved a dismissive hand, playing along with her theatrical performance. “Lydia, there’s no need for you to apologize. This is a personal matter, and it doesn’t involve anyone else.”

“I’m just… heartbroken. All this time, I did everything I could. I never thought she would…”

Mars buried his face in his hands, expertly portraying the role of a tormented, heartbroken husband.

If it weren’t such an inappropriate setting, Lydia would have given him a silent thumbs-up, impressed by his commitment to the act.

Mrs. Lopez stood nearby, her eyes sparkling with barely contained delight and anticipation.

Soon.

I’m about to crush that little harlot’s daughter under my heel!

Once Autumn was branded a cheater, her life would be irrevocably shattered. She would never bounce back from this, and that bastard growing inside her would never see the light of day.

Mrs. Lopez’s breath quickened, the truth being that she bore no deep-seated animosity toward Autumn.

She simply couldn’t stand her presence.

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