The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 242

**TITLE: Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**

The phone rang incessantly, each chime echoing like a distant bell tolling, until finally, someone answered.

Ava Henderson’s voice emerged, thick with sleep and laced with irritation. “Who is this? You’re interrupting my beauty sleep!”

Ava was nothing short of a high-maintenance diva.

During her time abroad, she had indulged in the vibrant nightlife, but upon her return, she became a strict adherent to the regimen laid out by her aesthetician, determined to maintain her flawless appearance.

Even the slightest imperfection terrified her.

Yet, despite the advantages that came with being a Henderson, Ava felt the constraints of her family’s status.

Since her return, she had been swept into a whirlwind of banquets and glamorous soirées.

She had mingled with socialites and trust-fund kids, but none of the men she encountered met her lofty expectations.

Some were undeniably handsome, yet their families were of no consequence.

Others hailed from respectable lineages but lacked any physical appeal.

And on those rare occasions when she encountered someone who was both attractive and came from a reputable family, their personalities were often a complete letdown.

They were either insufferable players or arrogant snobs, noses stuck high in the air.

After much contemplation, Ava concluded that Owen Bennett stood out as the only man worthy of her standards, someone who could elevate her status even further.

With that realization, she raised her own bar even higher.

To secure her position as the future Mrs. Bennett, she needed to be nothing short of perfection, from the tips of her meticulously styled hair to the perfectly pedicured toes.

“This better be important. I have a hair treatment appointment tomorrow, so spit it out!”

Hailey, on the other end of the line, realized that Ava hadn’t even bothered to check the caller ID and was blissfully unaware it was her calling.

“Ava, it’s me!”

She adopted her usual syrupy, ingratiating tone. “I ran into Autumn Lopez again today…” Hailey was a master of manipulation, adept at twisting words to suit her needs.

She spun a tale about how she had merely encouraged Madelyn Carter to hassle Autumn, all for Ava’s sake.

But then, in an unexpected twist, Autumn, backed by none other than Owen Bennett, had turned the tables on her, leaving Madelyn furious with Hailey.

The underlying message was clear: she was in this predicament because of her efforts to assist Ava, and thus Ava owed her support in return.

Ava snorted derisively. “What does your incompetence have to do with me?”

“Last time, you said all we had to do was tarnish Autumn’s reputation, and the Bennetts would shun her, preventing her from being with Owen. It’s been ages, Ava. Do you see the Bennetts doing anything of the sort?”

“Hailey, your ideas are utterly worthless. It figures someone from a no-name family would have such a narrow perspective. Don’t come to me again. I have no use for your trashy advice!”

Hailey felt a surge of disbelief as Ava dismissed her so callously, now that she no longer served a purpose.

Since Ava’s return, Hailey had been nothing short of a devoted shadow, trailing after her like a servant, complying with her every whim.

She had even taken on many of Ava’s unsavory tasks, tearing down others—both publicly and behind the scenes—to elevate Ava’s position.

She had hoped that, at the very least, Ava would regard her as a valuable ally.

But it became painfully clear that Ava was indifferent to her, ready to discard her without a second thought.

“Ava—”

Hailey was seething with frustration, yet she understood that Ava was her only lifeline. She could only plead, her voice trembling, “Madelyn Carter’s people wrecked my apartment. I have nowhere to go, and my finances…”

Ava’s laughter was cold, devoid of any empathy. “What, am I your mother?”

“Your financial troubles have nothing to do with me. I told you, leave me alone!”

With that final dismissal, Ava hung up.

Hailey was left in a state of shock, grappling with the harsh reality of Ava’s ruthlessness. She attempted to call back, desperation clawing at her throat, but the call wouldn’t connect.

Ava had actually blocked her!

Fury surged through Hailey as she glared at the remnants of her shattered apartment. She stood up, her anger boiling over, and began to smash what little remained, letting her rage explode.

Only when there was nothing left to destroy did she slump against the wall, panting heavily, tears streaming down her cheeks.

At home, she had never been the favored child, and her meager monthly allowance felt like a joke.

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