**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**
Chapter 219
Autumn was in a whirlwind of emotions.
For as long as she could remember, she had viewed her marriage to Owen as nothing more than a carefully arranged transaction—a business deal that was meant to benefit both parties without any emotional entanglements. She had always anticipated that once the agreement was fulfilled, they would part ways, their lives forever diverging without a second glance back.
But then, out of the blue, Owen had bared his soul to her, confessing feelings she never thought he possessed. It was a revelation that knocked the wind out of her. This man, who often appeared so composed and indifferent to the outside world, had been quietly orchestrating a series of thoughtful gestures for her benefit, all while she remained blissfully unaware.
Reflecting on their time together, Autumn began to see Owen as the unsung hero who had alleviated so many of her burdens. He hadn’t merely provided her with a roof over her head after her explosive fallout with Mars; he had meticulously crafted a plan for her revenge, ensuring she would rise above her past.
Autumn marveled at how perfectly he seemed to resonate with her inner self. It was as if he possessed an uncanny ability to read her thoughts, grasping her dreams, ambitions, and aspirations with astonishing clarity. She felt a rush of exhilaration when she realized that Owen had withheld financial support not out of neglect, but rather to encourage her to pursue her own entrepreneurial dreams.
It was a profound connection of souls.
A part of her longed to ask him how he had discerned her hidden aspirations, especially after the years spent with Mars had dulled her spirit and ambitions.
Back then, when she and Owen had only just crossed paths, it seemed almost miraculous that he could see through her facade to the vibrant person she was beneath it all.
“I need some time to digest all of this. Thank you for being honest with me,” Autumn replied, her mind a tangled web of thoughts. She understood that Mrs. Turner wasn’t seeking any kind of commitment from her; her intentions were clear, and so she kept her response succinct.
Mrs. Turner, sensing Autumn’s grasp of the situation, appeared slightly embarrassed. “Please forgive my intrusion, ma’am. It’s just that you two are about to get married. Even if your arrangement is simply that of cohabitants, fostering a friendly atmosphere is far preferable to the misery of constant bickering, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Absolutely.”
It was a compelling argument.
Autumn had often sensed an undercurrent of frustration in Owen, yet she had never mustered the courage to inquire about it. With this newfound understanding, she recognized that many of their conflicts stemmed from a lack of communication. Mrs. Turner was right; even in a pragmatic partnership, open dialogue and cooperation were infinitely better than the silent treatment they had been giving each other.
Moreover, their relationship wasn’t as strained as she had once thought.
“I’ll reflect on this thoroughly. And could you prepare something light for breakfast in the morning?”
It was her polite way of signaling that the conversation had reached its conclusion. Mrs. Turner caught on and nodded with a warm smile, gracefully exiting the room.
Once Mrs. Turner had departed, Autumn finally sank onto her bed, feeling an overwhelming rush of conflicting emotions. The strange sensation in her heart intensified, causing her cheeks to flush a deep crimson.
Owen actually has feelings for me…
Not only did he harbor affection for her, but he had also been caring for her with such meticulous attention to detail, even before her divorce was finalized.
As she pondered Mrs. Turner’s words, Autumn could vividly imagine Owen in this very room, thoughtfully considering every little thing that might bring her joy.
A man like him, taking the time to handle such small details just for her benefit—it felt like something out of a fairy tale, too enchanting to be real.
Her mind was swirling with thoughts, but amidst the chaos, one undeniable feeling began to emerge.
Deep within her, a flutter of excitement ignited.
She was a woman, after all, freshly emerging from the ashes of her divorce. Though the scars of betrayal made it difficult to trust again, the knowledge that someone as remarkable as Owen cared for her was bound to bring a smile to her face.
And it did.
Yet, she was acutely aware of her own growth and maturity. If she were still the naive girl in her early twenties, she might have impulsively rushed to Owen and exclaimed, “I like you too!” But she was no longer that girl.
Her tumultuous marriage with Mars had left indelible marks on her heart, and she understood that she couldn’t dismiss all men simply because one had betrayed her trust.
Besides, comparing someone like Mars to Owen was simply not fair.
It would be grossly unjust to Owen if she turned him away because of her past experiences with Mars.
But she also knew that accepting Owen at this juncture could be equally unfair.
A man of his caliber didn’t deserve to be thrust into a relationship with a woman who had just emerged from a divorce.
Perhaps the unexpected news of the baby had stirred something within him, igniting a sense of responsibility that compelled him to step up.

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