The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 264

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

It was common knowledge among the women in their circle that when a husband found himself caught between a wife and a mistress, the ultimate decision rested squarely on his shoulders. The dynamics of loyalty, betrayal, and family honor played out like a well-rehearsed script, and everyone had their roles to play.

Of course, there were wives who were fierce warriors, ready to confront both their unfaithful husbands and the other woman with a vengeance. They wouldn’t shy away from a showdown, and Ruby Bennett was certainly one of those formidable figures. After all, she bore the Bennett name; she wouldn’t dare tarnish the family legacy, would she?

Autumn, her friend, stroked her chin thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she considered the unfolding drama. “I have a strong feeling he’ll side with Hailey,” she declared with a hint of certainty.

“Why do you think that?” Nina asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“It’s all Autumn Lopez’s fault for stealing Owen Bennett,” she muttered under her breath, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Nina shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around the situation. “I mean, sure, Hailey is young and stunning, but Ruby is a *Bennett*. Can Marcus really just disregard what her family thinks?”

“And let’s not forget,” Autumn added with a smirk, “is a guy like Marcus really going to abandon his wife of so many years for some new ‘other woman’ he just met?”

“Of course he is,” Autumn chuckled lightly, her voice a blend of amusement and disbelief. Noticing Nina’s lingering confusion, she leaned in closer and continued, “Have you ever considered that maybe Hailey isn’t actually his mistress yet?”

Nina’s jaw dropped in shock. “Wait, Autumn, how would you even know that?”

*Did she have someone watching the Henderson family?* The thought raced through Nina’s mind, her heart pounding with intrigue.

Autumn gestured subtly toward the scene playing out across the store, her expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. “Look over there. Have you ever seen a sugar daddy take his girl out while leaving enough space between them to park a car?”

“Huh?” Nina turned her gaze, surprised to see that Hailey and Marcus were indeed standing apart, creating an awkward chasm between them. From their previous angle, it had appeared as if they were almost glued together.

“Well…” Nina hesitated, her thoughts swirling. She couldn’t decide if Hailey was just inept at her role or if Ruby needed to get her vision checked.

“Then why on earth is Ruby here, making such a spectacle?” Nina questioned, her disdain for Ruby palpable.

Nina held a unique perspective on family dynamics; her own mother and her brother’s mother were biological sisters, yet even she didn’t carry herself with such arrogance. Ruby’s tyrannical behavior was a mystery to her. For years, Ruby had wielded her status as Owen Bennett’s paternal aunt like a weapon, throwing her weight around without restraint.

Since no one in the Bennett family ever dared to challenge Ruby, Nina, as an outsider, felt powerless to intervene. As far as she was concerned, Ruby had orchestrated her own downfall, and the woman had no one to blame but herself.

“She’s making a scene because Marcus is out shopping with another woman,” Nina remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “That’s practically a mistress-level offense right there. Do you honestly believe someone like Hailey could afford to shop in a place like this?”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Nina pulled Autumn toward a nearby seating area, eager to watch the unfolding drama.

1/4

Autumn recognized Nina’s intent and decided not to spoil her fun. Besides, it was a perfect opportunity for her to take a breather.

Meanwhile, across the store, Ruby was seething, her anger fueled by Hailey’s passive-aggressive demeanor, which was all too reminiscent of a victim playing the part. In a fit of rage, Ruby lunged forward, her hands itching to grab a fistful of Hailey’s hair and deliver a resounding slap across her face.

Just as Ruby was about to escalate the situation, Marcus Henderson stepped in, positioning himself between the two women like a protective barrier.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, his voice laced with authority.

Marcus’s intervention was akin to throwing gasoline on an already raging fire. Ruby’s fury ignited, and she glared at her husband, disbelief etched across her features.

“Marcus Henderson! How dare you? I am your wife, and you’re defending this homewrecker?”

Marcus frowned, his expression shifting to one of incredulity. “Can you please stop jumping to conclusions?”

“I felt bad about how you ambushed the poor girl last time,” he explained, his voice rising in frustration. “I wanted to make it up to her.”

“Make it up?” Ruby scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “What kind of pathetic excuse is that? You’re trying to buy her off with a bag?”

“She refused to take any money, and I remembered Ava mentioning that girls like this stuff, so I brought her here as a gesture of goodwill. Is that all you can think about? Is everything about cheating to you?”

“Like I’d believe that!” Ruby shot back, her voice rising like a crescendo of indignation.

“You dare say you don’t have feelings for Hailey? What did we do to her that requires an apology?”

“Marcus Henderson, don’t you dare try to fool me with these pathetic excuses!”

“Now get out of my way. We’re family, and I don’t want to damage our marriage over this. You hand that shameless bitch over to me today, and we’ll settle our own accounts at home!”

Marcus felt as though Ruby had completely lost her grip on reality.

“I already told you, there’s nothing between us! Why do you have to make things so difficult for a young woman? You’re not a kid anymore. Can you stop making a scene? Do you want to be a laughingstock for everyone here?”

“A laughingstock for who?” Ruby’s anger only intensified as Marcus continued to defend Hailey.

She shot Hailey a venomous glare, reminiscent of a viper ready to strike, and hissed, “You’re the one parading your mistress around town, and you’re afraid of what people might say? Let me tell you something, Marcus Henderson, I will absolutely, positively not allow a tramp like her to come between us!”

A massive headache began to throb at Marcus’s temples.

214

*It’s All Autumn Lopez’s Fault for Stealing Owen Bennett*

“Ava, hurry up and talk some sense into your aunt,” he pleaded, casting a desperate glance at his favorite niece.

But this time, Ava Henderson stood firmly on Ruby’s side.

“Uncle Marcus, you’ve really gone too far. Aunt Ruby has given so much to this family, even if she hasn’t received a medal for it. How could you treat her like this? Besides, Hailey was my friend, and we had a falling out after she tried to frame me. I’m your niece! How can you get tangled up with her?”

“No, that’s not—”

Marcus felt as if he were being dragged through mud, and no matter how hard he fought to clear his name, it only seemed to get worse.

In fact, the more he struggled, the more the stench of scandal clung to him.

Noticing the onlookers beginning to point and whisper, Marcus felt a wave of mortification wash over him.

Throughout his years of marriage to Ruby, he believed he had always treated her with respect. Even when she had never managed to give him a son, he never entertained his parents’ suggestions to seek out another woman for that purpose.

It wasn’t solely because of his love for Ruby, but rather a matter of principle; he couldn’t bear the thought of his heir being illegitimate.

Sometimes, he mused, having no heir at all seemed better than one with a tarnished reputation.

Marcus was aware of his own limitations. He was the type to smooth things over or simply give in when faced with conflict. He preferred to avoid confrontation whenever possible.

But today, with both his wife and niece cornering him, a long-dormant spark of rebellion flickered to life within him.

“Ava, Mrs. Henderson, please stop fighting.”

In the midst of the escalating tension, Hailey summoned her courage and stepped out from behind Marcus, her voice trembling but resolute.

“This is all my fault. I was shameless. Please, don’t be angry with Mr. Henderson. He was just being kind. He really didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know you don’t want to see me. I’ll just go.”

With that, Hailey cast Marcus a lingering, grateful look before turning on her heel and hurrying away.

“Hailey, why are you running? Get back here! I’m not done with you!”

Seeing Ruby poised to pursue Hailey relentlessly, Marcus seized her arm, his patience finally fraying. “Haven’t you made enough of a scene? We’re going home!”

3/4

*It’s All Autumn Lopez’s Fault for Stealing Owen Bennett*

With that, Marcus glanced at Ava, disappointment etched across his features.

Ava’s heart raced, but she wasn’t afraid.

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