The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 224

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma – Chapter 224**

When Owen discovered that Autumn was planning to meet Mars Wright, he hesitated for just a brief moment, the weight of the situation hanging in the air between them. Then, with a calmness that belied the turbulence of emotions swirling within him, he simply stated, “Be safe.” That was all he offered, a curt yet loaded remark.

Autumn was taken aback by his response.

“That’s it?” she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Owen, already clutching his coffee cup and preparing to ascend the staircase, halted abruptly. He turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “What else did you expect from me?” His tone was matter-of-fact, yet there was an undercurrent of something deeper.

Autumn scrutinized him, her brow furrowing in suspicion.

This reaction was so unlike Owen, so out of character that it sent a ripple of unease through her.

In hindsight, she realized that he had always harbored a certain animosity toward Mars, a sentiment she had overlooked in the midst of their complicated lives. The more she reflected on it, the more she recognized the intensity of that hostility.

Owen, as she knew him, would never be comfortable with her rekindling any connection with her ex-husband, especially after the tumultuous divorce they had endured.

His demeanor today was perplexing, almost as if he were hiding a secret plan, one that could potentially unravel into something ugly.

“Are you truly okay with me going to see him?” she asked, her voice laced with incredulity.

It felt surreal to her, this conversation.

Given that they had just solidified their relationship, she thought it prudent to be transparent about her plans, especially since she was about to face her past.

“What’s there to be concerned about? If he had any real claim over you, he wouldn’t be your ex-husband, would he?” Owen replied, his confidence unwavering.

“Besides, everyone we know is aware that you’re my fiancée and that you’re carrying my child. You think you can just slip away unnoticed?”

His logic was sound, and it struck a chord within her.

Autumn found herself at a loss for words, unable to conjure a single argument against his reasoning.

With a sigh of relief, she nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. “Okay, good. I was genuinely worried you might be upset.”

Owen’s eyes narrowed slightly, a teasing smile beginning to form on his lips as he regarded her. “You think I’m that petty?”

Isn’t he, though?

The thought lingered in her mind, but she kept it to herself, wary of the implications of such a statement.

“Of course not,” she replied, forcing a smile that she hoped conveyed sincerity. “You’re the most generous man I’ve ever known.”

There was no exaggeration in her words.

If Owen weren’t so magnanimous, he wouldn’t have patiently waited while she navigated the complexities of her divorce from Mars.

In fact, had she not been preoccupied with her own plans for retribution, Owen could have expedited their divorce with a simple phone call.

He chose to be patient and supportive, a testament to the respect he held for her.

As that thought crossed her mind, a genuine smile broke across Autumn’s face. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”

This was her way of assuring him, a promise wrapped in sincerity.

Having witnessed Mars’s true colors, she had long since placed him on her permanent “do not contact” list.

If not for the lingering ties to Cloudbreak Corporation, which she couldn’t entirely sever, and for Mars’s parents, Hugo and Myers, who had always treated her with decency, Autumn would have resolutely refused to see him again.

But since she had to confront him, she resolved to tie up all loose ends once and for all.

No more excuses for Mars to prolong matters.

A proper ex should exhibit the decency to act as though they no longer existed in your life. Autumn was determined not to allow Owen to misinterpret her actions, nor did she wish to be ensnared by her past.

The past had to remain just that—past. She was moving forward into a new chapter of her life, resolute in her refusal to be stagnant like Mars.

“Okay,” Owen replied, a smile of approval lighting up his face.

“Autumn!”

The moment she stepped out of the car, she heard her name called out with an exaggerated flair.

Her heart sank as she turned to see Mars Wright approaching, a bouquet of roses in hand. He was dressed impeccably in a sharp suit, his hair slicked back, and his face freshly shaven. He strode toward her with an air of confidence, looking every bit the part of a well-put-together man.

Instinctively, Autumn took a step back, creating distance between them.

“Stay right there. Don’t come any closer,” she warned, her voice firm.

Mars’s expression shifted, visibly hurt by her cold demeanor, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and resentment. “Autumn… how can you be so cruel to me?” he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

Autumn raised her hand to halt him.

“Stop. We’re divorced. Can we please speak like rational adults so people don’t get the wrong impression?”

“Why would they get the wrong impression?” Something in her words struck a nerve, prompting him to raise his voice in frustration. “We were husband and wife! What kind of wrong impression could they possibly have?”

“Autumn, you were never this cold to me before. I know I messed up, but who just condemns someone without giving them a chance to explain? You already got your revenge at my birthday party. Can’t you just allow me the opportunity to talk, to really talk?”

His plea made Autumn laugh, a sound that was equal parts disbelief and bitterness.

“I didn’t give you a chance, Mars?”

“How can you even say that with a straight face?”

“You schemed to bring Lydia into our lives, you had an affair right under my nose, and you exploited me repeatedly for her benefit. Did you ever stop to consider how I might feel about that?”

“So what, you’re the only person whose feelings matter? Everyone else is supposed to cater to your whims and lower their standards for you?”

Mars’s complexion shifted from pale to crimson, a mix of anger and embarrassment washing over him.

“That’s not what I meant…”