The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 39

**TITLE: Chasing Light, Finding Peace – by Rohan Verma**
**Chapter 39**

“Autumn!”

Mars Wright’s expression brightened as he hurried toward Autumn Lopez, his hand instinctively reaching out, ready to encircle her waist in a gesture that had become second nature to him.

Yet, in a swift and deliberate motion, Autumn sidestepped him, a subtle yet unmistakable signal that she was not in the mood for affection.

The warmth that had danced on Mars’s face faltered, confusion and annoyance flashing across his features like a storm brewing on the horizon.

He shot her a look that blended disbelief with irritation, his pride momentarily stung. Just as he was about to voice his frustration, a representative from Mistveil Group approached, his demeanor cheerful and buoyant, effectively diverting Mars’s attention from the awkward moment.

“Hello, hello!” the representative exclaimed, his voice ringing with enthusiasm.

“Is the contract all signed?” Mars inquired, his tone shifting to a more professional curiosity, masking the turmoil within him.

The representative nodded vigorously, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Yes, as of today, Mistveil Group and the Lopez Group will be close partners.”

In an instant, the joy that had briefly rekindled in Mars’s expression dissipated like mist under the sun.

“What? The Lopez Group?” he exclaimed, incredulity lacing his voice. “Isn’t Mistveil supposed to be signing with us, with Cloudbreak Corporation?”

Until that very moment, the intricacies of Autumn’s discussions with the Mistveil representative had been tightly held secrets, confined to the walls of the meeting room.

Yet, Mars’s outburst echoed throughout the space, drawing the attention of every pair of eyes present.

“Isn’t this a Cloudbreak project? How on earth did it morph into a Lopez Group venture?” he demanded, his tone a volatile mix of confusion and fury.

“What do you think happened?” a voice chimed in, dripping with sarcasm. “Someone’s been pulling strings behind the scenes. I’ve heard tales of women redirecting their husbands’ wealth back to their families, but this? This is a whole new level. Secretary Autumn is truly remarkable.”

Autumn’s gaze snapped to the source of the comment, her heart sinking.

It was a junior secretary from the Executive Office, a girl who had always seemed to harbor a crush on Mars.

Autumn remembered her vividly—the way the young woman had cast longing glances at Mars since her first day.

After all, Mars was not only young and handsome but also the brilliant mind behind Cloudbreak’s monumental success. It was no wonder that he attracted the attention of ambitious girls like her.

During her probation, the junior secretary had played the role of the observant admirer, gathering intel on Mars’s likes and dislikes without ever daring to overstep.

But once her probation was up, her true colors began to show.

By that point, she was fully aware of the connection between Mars and Autumn, yet she had grown bold. There was that one instance when Autumn and Mars were preparing to leave for a business dinner, and the junior secretary had feigned a sprained ankle, pleading with Mars to drop her off first.

Even though Mars had seen right through her ruse, he still allowed her to enter the car.

Emboldened, she insisted on sitting in the front passenger seat, claiming she felt nauseous.

Autumn’s patience had reached its breaking point. In a moment of frustration, she had yanked the secretary out of the car and slapped her across the face.

Mars, who had been a silent observer, merely chuckled and said, “She’s just a kid. Why are you so worked up?”

Turning to the junior secretary, he added, “Secretary Autumn and I have an important dinner. I can’t take you home. Just call an Uber. You can expense it tomorrow. Cloudbreak treats its employees well, so don’t worry about it.”

After that incident, the junior secretary had fallen even harder for Mars, her infatuation growing stronger. The fallout led to Autumn giving Mars the cold shoulder for an entire week, a silence that only broke when Mars finally decided to transfer the junior secretary to a less prominent department.

Now, Autumn narrowed her eyes, confusion mingling with frustration. “I thought Luna Ferguson was transferred,” she said, her brow furrowing in disbelief. “Why is she back in the Executive Office?”

The other employees shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze as if it were a hot flame. Faced with Autumn’s evident displeasure, no one dared to respond.

Mars’s complexion paled, disbelief casting a shadow across his features. “I’m asking you why the contract was signed with the Lopez Group! Autumn, why are you deflecting?”

“This was supposed to be a partnership between Mistveil and Cloudbreak. Even if you wanted to support your family’s business, this is not how you do it!”

They seemed to have forgotten all the projects and profits Autumn had brought to Cloudbreak.

All they could see now was that she had handed a lucrative project to her family’s company, a decision that jeopardized their bonuses for the foreseeable future.

They must despise her right now.

Autumn met their glares of disdain and resentment with unwavering resolve.

“I signed the contract with the Lopez Group.”

“I led this project from inception to completion. I see no issue with my decision.”

As soon as the words left her lips, Mars’s hand shot up, swinging toward Autumn’s face in a moment of pure disbelief. “What on earth are you talking about?!”

“This is a Cloudbreak project! You signed it over to the Lopez Group without even consulting me! Have I been too lenient with you, Autumn?!”

The others watched with a sense of righteous indignation, their eyes practically begging Mars to unleash his fury upon her.

To them, she had stolen their livelihood, and their anger crackled in the air like a storm about to break.

“Hold on a moment!”

The head representative from Mistveil Group finally stepped forward, his expression darkening as he blocked Mars’s hand with a firm grip. “Mr. Wright, are you telling me you don’t understand why Mistveil Group signed the contract with the Lopez Group?”

Mars, assuming the question was straightforward, erupted with frustration and self-pity. “How would I know? Autumn never communicated anything to me! And what’s wrong with you at Mistveil? You stated the project was for Cloudbreak, so why hand it over to the Lopez Group?”

As the tension in the room reached a boiling point, Autumn stood firm, her heart racing but her resolve unyielding. She could feel the weight of the collective gaze, a sea of judgment and disbelief washing over her. Yet, amidst the chaos, she found a flicker of clarity. This was not just about the contract or the project; it was about reclaiming her voice and standing her ground against the tide of assumptions and accusations. The moment Mars’s hand had nearly struck her, she realized that this was not merely a battle for a business deal but a fight for her identity, her worth, and her right to make decisions that aligned with her values. Autumn’s heart, once heavy with doubt and fear, began to lighten as she embraced the truth of her choices, understanding that she had to follow her path, regardless of the opinions of others.
In that moment of confrontation, a profound shift occurred within Autumn. She recognized that the chaos surrounding her was not simply an obstacle but a catalyst for growth. The whispers of betrayal and the glares of resentment no longer held power over her. Instead, she felt a surge of empowerment, a realization that she had the strength to navigate the tumultuous waters of her career and personal life. As she faced Mars and the others, she understood that peace would not come from appeasing their expectations but from honoring her own truth. With each heartbeat, Autumn felt more certain of her place in the world, ready to chase the light that illuminated her path, even if it meant standing alone. In that clarity, she found peace, knowing that she was not just chasing success but also forging her own destiny.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As tensions simmer between Mars and Autumn, the upcoming chapter promises to unravel the intricate web of secrets and betrayals that have been woven throughout their professional and personal lives. Readers can expect a fierce confrontation as Mars grapples with his feelings of betrayal and confusion, while Autumn stands her ground, determined to defend her choices against the mounting hostility of her colleagues. With the stakes higher than ever, the dynamics of their relationship are sure to shift, revealing hidden motivations and testing the limits of their trust in one another.
Moreover, the re-emergence of Luna Ferguson adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Her presence threatens to ignite a fierce rivalry, not just for Mars’s attention but also for Autumn’s position within Cloudbreak. As Autumn begins to piece together Lydia’s manipulative schemes, readers will be on the edge of their seats, anticipating how this revelation will affect her resolve and strategy moving forward. Will Autumn find a way to outmaneuver her rivals, or will she succumb to the pressures of the corporate world that seem to be closing in around her? The next chapter is set to deliver unexpected twists that will leave readers questioning loyalties and rooting for Autumn as she fights for her place in both her family and her career.