The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 286

You Make This Family Whole

You Make This Family Whole

After she spoke, the room fell silent.

Autumn froze, wondering if she’d said something wrong.

She cautiously looked up and saw Mr. and Mrs. Bennett staring at her, their expressions clearly saying, *Is this girl’s eyesight bad or something?*

“Is something wrong?”

Autumn mentally replayed her words, certain she had just been praising Owen.

She had no idea why they were looking at her like that.

“You know, dear, you’re the first person who’s ever told us Owen is a good person.”

Autumn: “?”

A smile played on Mrs. Bennett’s lips.

It was clear that while she didn’t exactly agree with Autumn, she was still pleased to hear someone praise her son.

“That kid has always been a loner, ever since he was little. He never really liked being around other people.”

“Outsiders are one thing, but he was the same way with all his cousins.”

“None of his brothers and sisters liked playing with him.”

“They said he either made them feel dumb, or they’d spend a whole afternoon together and barely say a word. He was impossible to talk to.”

Autumn’s eyes widened, completely shocked to hear what Owen was like as a child.

“But Nina…”

“Nina’s the exception.”

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“But she’s not exactly normal herself.”

“Pfft-”

Autumn suddenly understood why everyone in the industry used to call Mrs. Bennett the “Venom–Tongued Actress.”

She really was sharp–tongued, even trashing her own relatives without holding

back at all.

“That little girl, Nina, grew up abroad, so she feels a connection to all the kids in the family.”

“It’s not just that she clings to Owen. It’s that none of the others would play with her–they thought her energy was a little overwhelming. So she was stuck with

Owen.”

“Owen isn’t a fan of loud people, so he’d always give her something to keep her

busy–sometimes a toy, sometimes cash.”

“Over time, the two of them just got used to each other.”

“Besides, Nina doesn’t come back to the country often, so it’s not like Owen has to deal with her every day. That’s why he has a tiny bit of tolerance for her.”

“If it were anyone else, it would be absolutely impossible. Owen wouldn’t be able

to stand it.”

Autumn never imagined that even Owen’s friendships were so carefully calculated.

Thinking about how he treated Nina like an energetic puppy he had to appease, she couldn’t help but smile helplessly.

“That boy, Owen… we weren’t really there for him as he was growing up.”

Shortly after Owen was born, Mrs. Bennett came across a script she absolutely

loved.

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To get the best shooting schedule and ensure everyone was completely dedicated, the director took the entire cast and crew to a remote mountain location. They filmed in isolation for a year and a half.

And just like that, Mrs. Bennett missed the period when a child needs their mother the most.

Although Owen had never mentioned it…

Mrs. Bennett knew in her heart that, deep down, he must have resented her for it.

Other children also had their childhoods packed with lessons and activities.

But they always had someone by their side.

Only Owen had no one.

“I was very busy back then, too.”

Mr. Bennett’s voice was laced with guilt as he spoke of it.

“And to be honest, I’ve always focused far more of my attention on his mother

than on him.”

“He probably always felt like an unwelcome presence, so he never acted like other

kids–he didn’t try to get our attention or ask for affection.”

“By the time he grew up and started to understand his father and me, it was too

late.”

“He was already a man. He didn’t need his father and me anymore.”

Seeing his wife’s downcast expression, Mr. Bennett reached out and patted her

shoulder.

“Fortunately, Owen still grew up to be such an outstanding man. He’s about to become a father himself, and I believe he’ll be a great one.”

Hearing this, Autumn actually felt a little angry.

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Even if Owen could understand his parents now…

Their absence during his childhood was an undeniable fact that couldn’t just be glossed over.

But the couple in front of her wasn’t really at fault, either.

It wasn’t that they didn’t love Owen.

It was just that one thing after another had held them back.

They must have been desperate to be with their child back then.

But a child’s growth is irreversible.

Once you’re grown, you’re grown. When parents are always absent, there comes a point when the child might not need them anymore.

“Oh, listen to us, why are we telling you all this?”

Mrs. Bennett wiped her face, brushing away a tear that had escaped without her

noticing.

She looked at Autumn apologetically, but her eyes gradually filled with joy and satisfaction.

“I liked you the moment I saw you.”

“Autumn, we are so, so grateful that you chose our son.”

Autumn felt a lump in her throat, wanting to say something but unable to get the words out.

Mrs. Bennett didn’t mind her silence and continued with a warm smile, “I know you might be worried that we care about your ex–husband.”

She stood up, walked over to Autumn, and took her hand, patting it gently.

”

‘Just like we said, that’s all in the past. From now on, you two just need to focus

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on living a good life together.”

“As for what other people say, we can’t control them. The only thing that matters is that you don’t let it get to you.”

“Back when I was just starting out, I had countless haters. They said I was ugly, that my acting was terrible.”

“I only listened to the constructive criticism. If it was a real problem, I’d work on it.”

“If it wasn’t, I just assumed they were jealous.”

“Autumn, we have so much faith in you. And not just because of your talent or because of the baby.”

“We genuinely like you for who you are.”

Autumn’s eyes turned red.

For years, she had grown up under her father’s suppressive, critical parenting.

She knew she was a capable person, but deep down, she always felt a little

insecure.

Even after marrying Mars Wright, she had been desperate to prove herself.

Gradually, it had become an obsession.

But ever since she met Owen, Autumn knew, with absolute clarity, that she was just herself.

She didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

“Thank you…”

Autumn lowered her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Thank you for being so accepting, and thank you for being willing to support us.

Mrs. Bennett’s heart ached, and she pulled Autumn into a hug.

”

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“Silly girl, you’re already so wonderful. We should be thanking you. Our Owen has

been lonely for too long. Thank you so, so much for being with him, for saving him, for keeping him company.”

“The moment I saw my son, I knew he had changed.”

“He seems more…alive.”

“It’s truly wonderful.”

As Mrs. Bennett spoke, her own eyes reddened.

“After all, what mother doesn’t want her child to live a happy, joyful life?”

“Autumn, you are a true blessing to the Bennett family.”

“You’ve not only brought us a gift, but you’ve made our family whole.”

“You and Owen must build a good life together.”

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