The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 221

**Chapter 221**

Autumn felt a flutter of shyness wash over her, a delicate blush creeping across her cheeks.

Yet, she summoned her courage, pushing past the awkwardness to meet Owen Bennett’s warm and inviting gaze.

“I guess I’m in your hands now, Mr. Bennett,” she said, the title slipping from her lips with a slight quiver that betrayed the storm of emotions swirling within her.

Despite the turmoil she felt, she had made her choice, and she was determined to stand by it.

Owen’s heart ached at the sight of her vulnerability. He wrapped her in his arms, his voice playful yet soothing, “Don’t worry. For you, this is a bet you absolutely can’t lose.”

Autumn felt a sudden freeze at his words. “What do you mean?” she asked, confusion knitting her brow.

Owen’s smile widened, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes. “Did you forget what’s in the contract?”

“Even if you ‘fail,’ the investment is real, and the money you make is real,” he continued, his tone steady and reassuring.

“And the Bennett Group will never take away your right to see your child,” he added, his voice softening.

“Autumn, you are still you. No one can ever control you,” he emphasized, his sincerity wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

In that moment, a realization began to take root in Autumn’s mind.

All this time, she had been fixated on the potential fallout from those around her if she stumbled again.

But she had never considered it from Owen’s perspective—that regardless of winning or losing, she was already a victor in her own right.

So what was there to fear?

Her past marriage to Mars Wright had taught her that many things could be illusions, but money was not one of them.

Connections and the benefits they brought were not lies either.

As the weight of that understanding settled over her, she found herself filled with a newfound sense of freedom.

“I have no reason to worry,” she mused quietly to herself.

Because, in truth, she literally couldn’t lose.

“What about you?” she suddenly asked, a flicker of humor lighting her expression.

Owen was part of this bet, too.

Instead of scheming to enhance his own fortunes, he was focused solely on her comfort.

A wave of warmth surged through Autumn’s heart, accompanied by a pang of guilt.

How dense had she been? If only she had recognized Owen’s feelings for her sooner, perhaps she could have responded in kind much earlier.

Then he wouldn’t have had to go through all this turmoil just to finally share his truth with her today.

“Me?” Owen replied, raising an eyebrow playfully, nuzzling his chin against her shoulder, a gesture that sent shivers down her spine.

“I can’t lose either,” he declared, his confidence palpable.

Autumn erupted into laughter, her spirits lifting.

“If we’re both winners, then what kind of bet is this?”

She had only ever heard of gambles that came with guaranteed losses, never one that promised mutual victory.

“So you still don’t get it?” Owen said, wrapping his arms around her waist, his voice imbued with a playful smile and unwavering assurance. “Us together… it’s a power move. A win-win.”

A jolt of realization surged through Autumn.

Everyone, including herself, believed she wasn’t worthy of Owen Bennett.

Setting aside the fact that she had been divorced, even if this had been her first marriage, the chasm between the Lopez family and the Bennett Group felt insurmountable.

And her previous marriage only added fuel to the fire of judgment.

Powerful families placed immense value on reputation, and if Owen were to marry her, there would undoubtedly be whispers and gossip behind their backs.

Initially, Autumn had thought that since it was merely a contract marriage, and Owen likely wouldn’t make it public, she could avoid the scrutiny.

But when he went public with their arrangement just days ago, everything spiraled out of her control.

Owen’s unexpected confession had knocked her off her feet.

She had thought simply agreeing to explore a relationship with him was a shocking enough turn of events.

Never did she anticipate he had something even more astonishing waiting to be unveiled.

“A win-win?” Autumn echoed, incredulity lacing her voice. “You really don’t think the gap between us is enormous?”

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