The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 35

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

An unexpected moment had just unfolded, and a thick veil of awkward silence descended between Owen Bennett and Autumn Lopez, enveloping them in a cocoon of unspoken tension. Autumn, her heart racing like a wild drum, cast a sidelong glance at Owen. He sat there, an image of calm and collectedness, his expression a stoic mask that betrayed none of the inner turmoil she was wrestling with. Was she meant to find solace in his tranquility, or should she feel a sting of disappointment that he seemed so unfazed by the gravity of their predicament?

Technically, she was still married, though that felt like a distant memory, a mere formality as she stood on the edge of divorce. Compounding the complexity of their situation was the undeniable truth that she was pregnant with Owen’s child. Yet, despite the weight of their circumstances, their relationship felt more like that of strangers than partners, bound together by fate but lacking the warmth of familiarity.

The sheer awkwardness of this encounter sent her thoughts spiraling into chaos, and a dull throb began to pulse at her temples. Why hadn’t someone as commanding as Owen Bennett—who was known for his authoritative presence—uttered even a single word to shatter the silence? Was he so accustomed to navigating uncomfortable moments that he could simply sit there, unperturbed?

But then again, she recalled the whispers that had followed him through the corridors of their shared world; he had been single for as long as anyone could remember. Or perhaps there was a hidden relationship lurking in the shadows of his past, one that had managed to stay beneath the radar. Autumn found that theory more plausible than she wanted to admit. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger. It was hard to believe that someone like him had never shared his life with anyone else, right?

Pushing aside the strange discomfort that bubbled within her, she took a deep breath, steadying herself before clearing her throat. “If you’re busy, you can go ahead and leave,” she said, her voice firm yet tinged with an undercurrent of vulnerability.

I really need some solitude to sort through my thoughts, she mused internally, wishing for a moment of clarity amidst the chaos.

Owen’s gaze snapped to her, his dark eyes cutting through the silence with an intensity that made her heart race. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, his voice steady, yet laced with curiosity.

Autumn blinked, momentarily taken aback. “What do you mean, what does it mean?” she shot back, incredulity creeping into her tone. Isn’t it clear that I’m asking you to leave?

Is the CEO of the illustrious Bennett Group genuinely unable to read between the lines?

Realizing her internal dialogue was growing increasingly aggressive, she inhaled deeply, attempting to regain her composure. I must be losing my grip. It’s probably the pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc on my emotions. This has nothing to do with any imagined past relationships he might have had.

With her gaze lowered, she tried to gather her thoughts. The more she attempted to convince herself of her indifference, the more it felt like a flimsy facade that could collapse at any moment. Autumn shook her head, as if trying to physically dislodge the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind. “Mr. Bennett—”

She addressed him formally, her tone crisp and professional, a thin veneer of distance that she hoped would shield her from the emotional storm brewing inside.

Owen’s eyes, dark and fathomless, seemed to hold secrets she couldn’t quite grasp. “You don’t have to be so distant,” he replied, his voice smooth yet tinged with a hint of challenge, as if daring her to breach the walls she had erected.

He continued to stare at her, an intensity in his gaze that made her heart race. “We’ve already kissed. You can just call me by my name.”

Autumn felt her jaw drop slightly, her mind racing to process his words. “What did you just say?” she stammered, disbelief coloring her voice.

His lips curled into a teasing smirk at her incredulity. “I said, you’re about to be Autumn. No need to act like a stranger. Just call me Owen.”

Her mouth opened, but the simple name “Owen” felt like a weight too heavy to lift from her tongue. Finally, she relented, “I’ll just call you Owen Bennett, then.”

Using his full name felt strange, but it maintained a safer distance than simply “Owen.” Deep down, she knew they weren’t at that level of intimacy yet, and she wasn’t about to overstep that boundary.

Owen remained silent for what felt like an eternity. Just as she began to worry that she had offended him, he abruptly stood up. “I’ll head back, then. If you need anything, remember to contact Julian Moore.”

A wave of relief washed over Autumn, almost imperceptible yet palpable. “Okay,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He cast her one last penetrating look before turning away, his broad shoulders retreating into the distance. As she watched him leave, a new layer of confusion clouded her thoughts.

The atmosphere between us just now was so peculiar… I can’t shake the feeling that he’s not as indifferent as he appears. But why? And what could possibly be causing this shift in him?

[Ding-]

At that moment, her phone buzzed, jolting her from her reverie. She glanced down, her attention diverted as the little episode with Owen faded into the background.

—

**Chapter 35**

Meanwhile, back at the Bennett Group, the atmosphere was thick with curiosity and speculation.

An assistant had noticed that Mr. Bennett seemed distracted ever since he returned to the office, his usual confidence replaced by an air of preoccupation. Intrigued, he approached a colleague, eager to share his observations.

“What’s going on with Mr. Bennett?” he asked, lowering his voice as if the very walls might overhear.

“Did he run into a tough project or something?” the colleague replied, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.

The assistant winced, smacking his forehead in realization. “My bad, my bad.”

The colleague chuckled, casting a sidelong glance toward Owen’s office, deep in thought. “I don’t think this recent change has anything to do with work. It might be because of… someone.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify