The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 218

**Chapter 218**

Autumn Lopez stumbled through the door of her home, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. How she had made it back was a mystery to her; the world outside had blurred into a haze after Owen Bennett’s words had struck her like a lightning bolt.

She hadn’t even noticed when he’d called her name repeatedly, his voice echoing in the background of her thoughts, drowned out by the chaos swirling in her head.

Owen, ever the considerate gentleman, had sensed her need for space. He instructed the driver to stop at a convenience store, where he picked up an array of snacks—one of each variety, as if trying to coax her back to reality with the promise of comfort food. They returned to the villa, the car filled with the tantalizing scents of fried snacks and sweet treats.

Once they arrived, Owen disappeared into his study, leaving the staff with a simple command: “Take good care of Autumn.” The long dining table was soon laden with an impressive spread of snacks, their rich aromas wafting through the air like a siren’s call. Autumn’s stomach responded with a growl, yet her mind remained shrouded in fog, quelling any appetite she might have had.

The staff exchanged worried glances, their concern palpable as they observed her detached demeanor. One of them stepped forward, hesitantly inquiring, “Ma’am, is the food not to your liking?”

Autumn snapped back to the present, realizing she had been lost in her thoughts. She didn’t want to burden these kind people with her turmoil. With a forced smile, she replied, “No, it’s not that… it’s just… there’s too much for me. Please, everyone, help yourselves.”

Though the villa was not bustling with staff, the portions were small enough that they quickly disappeared, devoured by eager hands. Autumn placed her chopsticks down, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I think I’ll go rest for a bit,” she announced, making her way upstairs.

Once the door to her bedroom clicked shut, the mask she had worn all evening slipped away. She collapsed onto the bed, her body sinking into the softness of the mattress, and a wave of confusion washed over her.

Autumn was no naive young girl; she had weathered storms of betrayal that had left her heart battered and bruised. Love had seemed like a distant memory, something she had sworn off entirely. Yet, here she was, grappling with the unexpected confession from Owen Bennett, a man she had never anticipated would reveal his feelings for her.

Initially, she had dismissed it as a mere jest, a fleeting moment of whimsy. But as she replayed his words in her mind, her heart began to race. Since moving in, Owen’s actions had defied her expectations in ways she couldn’t have imagined. Every detail of her comfort had been meticulously arranged by him, allowing her to focus solely on her plans for revenge against that despicable couple without a single worry.

His moments of affection had been cautious, respectful, never once crossing the line into discomfort. For someone of Owen’s stature, his willingness to go to such lengths for her was astonishing.

Reflecting on their past interactions, Autumn began to connect the dots. Owen’s inexplicable anger at times had always seemed random to her. But now, it made sense. His frustration stemmed from her inability to recognize his efforts, especially today, when they encountered Faye Russell. She had brushed off their relationship entirely, leaving Owen feeling invisible after a month of waiting for her acknowledgment.

The realization hit her hard. No wonder he had been upset. A mix of emotions surged within her—laughter at the absurdity of it all and tears of helplessness. How was she supposed to respond to Owen? This was uncharted territory for her, a place she had never envisioned herself entering.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The sound of rapping on her door jolted her from her spiraling thoughts. Startled, she looked up, her voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and anticipation she hadn’t recognized until that moment. “Who is it?”

There was a brief pause before the voice from outside replied, “Ma’am, it’s me.”

It was Mrs. Turner. A wave of disappointment washed over Autumn, but she quickly gathered herself. “Come in.”

Mrs. Turner entered, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. Autumn assumed the worry was about the baby, especially after her earlier indulgence in street food. But to her surprise, the housekeeper’s first question was, “Ma’am, did you and Mr. Bennett have a fight?”

“And then you appeared. Not only were you going to marry him, but you were also carrying his child. Do you honestly think the Bennetts wouldn’t want to meet you?”

The pieces fell into place for Autumn. “He protected me from them?”

Mrs. Turner nodded, her expression softening. “When Mr. Bennett sets his mind to something, nothing can deter him. His family was eager to meet you, to see you and your growing belly, even if it was just to glimpse their grandchild through you.”

“Mr. Bennett halted all of that. He forbade anyone from bothering you and declared that your life was your own, insisting that the Bennett family not interfere.”

“It was unprecedented for him to stand up to his family like that. Despite their curiosity, no one dared approach you.”

Mrs. Turner’s eyes softened as she gazed at Autumn. “I may not have watched him grow up, but I’ve cared for him for many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen him genuinely care for someone.”

Autumn was taken aback. “He chose all of this for me? The clothes and everything?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Turner confirmed, a kind smile breaking through. “He even created a spreadsheet, as if he were drafting a business proposal. Eventually, we had to remind him that you likely had your own preferences, so he relented and decided to purchase every well-reviewed brand available for you to choose from.”

Mrs. Turner paused, her expression turning serious. “Ma’am, I’m not sharing this to speak on his behalf. I’m telling you this because finding the right person is a rare gift. After enduring a failed marriage, you understand this better than most. Give yourself a chance, and give him one as well.”