The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 216

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace – Chapter 216**

Despite the storm of anger brewing within her, Ruby couldn’t deny the truth in Ava’s words.

If she dared to approach Marcus, there was a very real possibility that she would find herself on the other side of a divorce, and at her age, the thought of being cast out from the Henderson family sent chills down her spine. The comfortable life she had come to know would vanish in an instant.

“Damn that Ava!” she exclaimed, her frustration bubbling over as she stomped her foot against the floor. The idea of being manipulated by Ava while simultaneously helping her infiltrate the Bennett Group for a life of opulence made her skin crawl.

Yet, Ruby was painfully aware that her future hinged on Ava’s success. With no options left, she resigned herself to the bitter reality of her situation, holding her breath and complying with Ava’s demands.

Just you wait, she thought venomously. I refuse to accept that you can enjoy this charmed life forever! The moment everyone tires of Ava’s antics will be the perfect opportunity for my sweet revenge.

But for now, Ruby knew she had to play the game.

“Help me find a dress. It has to be just like the one in the picture I’m sending you. Price doesn’t matter,” Ruby instructed, the words tasting like ash on her tongue. As she sent the photo, she winced at the sight of her savings dwindling away, each dollar feeling like a piece of her soul being chipped off.

Ava better succeed in securing her position, Ruby thought, or all this money would be nothing but a waste.

After managing the transaction, Ruby rushed downstairs to catch up with Ava.

However, when she reached the ground floor, her heart sank. Ava had dismissed the driver, leaving Ruby standing there, alone and seething with indignation.

It was infuriating.

Calling the driver back would be futile; Ruby knew Ava would never agree to it. With a heavy heart, she swallowed her anger and ordered an Uber back to Henderson Manor, her mind racing with thoughts of confrontation.

As she stepped through the door of her home, Ruby was prepared to unleash her fury on Ava, but instead, she was met with an unexpected slap from Marcus.

The sting of the blow radiated across her face, and for a moment, she stood frozen, shock coursing through her veins.

“W-was a slap supposed to make me feel better? I was completely humiliated today!” Ruby stammered, her voice shaking with disbelief.

“Uncle, you have no idea! Aunt Ruby doesn’t care about our family at all! When she saw Owen Bennett threatening to destroy the Henderson family for some other woman, she didn’t defend us! She just stood there, watching someone else take the dress I wanted!” Ava’s voice dripped with false innocence, her eyes wide with feigned distress.

Ruby’s eyes bulged in disbelief at Ava’s blatant lies.

“Ava, what are you saying? What really happened was—”

“Enough!” Marcus snapped, his gaze piercing through Ruby like a dagger.

“I asked you to take care of Ava while she was shopping for a dress. If you weren’t willing to help, you should have just said so. I can’t believe you would stoop to such underhanded tactics behind my back. I truly underestimated you, Ruby.”

“You’ve been living too comfortably, filling your head with nonsense! From now on, you will stay home and reflect on your actions!”

With those words, Marcus stormed off to his study, slamming the door with a force that echoed through the house like a thunderclap.

Ruby stood there, utterly bewildered.

Having achieved her goal, Ava wiped away her fake tears with a smug smile, towering over Ruby. “See? Consider this a warning. From now on, you will do exactly as I say. Otherwise, you won’t last another day in the Henderson family.”

“I’m leaving now. Make sure the dress and jewelry are delivered as soon as possible,” she added, her tone dripping with entitlement as she sashayed out of Henderson Manor.

With a heavy heart, Ruby sank onto the sofa, feeling utterly defeated. For the first time, doubts crept into her mind about the choices she had made.

Ava was like a little demon—arrogant, domineering, and an exceptional actress. Ruby felt like she was fighting a losing battle.

Continuing to support Ava felt akin to making a pact with the devil.

Will helping Ava truly grant me everything I desire? Ruby pondered, a sense of confusion and despair washing over her.

What if, after she gets what she wants, she decides she no longer needs me and simply casts me aside?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify