The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 44

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

Autumn sat in silence, her mind racing, grappling with the weight of a revelation that felt like a tidal wave crashing over her. In her heart, she had long convinced herself that Owen’s aloofness was a mere mask for indifference, a façade that hid his true feelings. She had thought his concern for her was only a byproduct of obligation, a duty he felt towards the little life growing inside her. But now, the truth unfolded before her like a delicate flower blooming in the spring—Owen had been quietly vigilant, meticulously ensuring her comfort, all while maintaining a watchful eye over her.

“You’ve been reporting to him ever since I moved in?” Autumn’s voice trembled slightly, a cocktail of disbelief and curiosity lacing her words as she addressed Mrs. Turner.

Mrs. Turner, sensing the gravity of the situation, offered a sincere response. “Not every day. I keep him updated on your meals, and sometimes Mr. Bennett will video call…” Her voice trailed off, leaving the air thick with unspoken words.

As the realization washed over Autumn, a wave of understanding surged through her. “You can return to your duties,” she replied, her tone softening, almost apologetic.

Mrs. Turner paused, her brow furrowing with concern. “Autumn… you’re not angry?”

Autumn forced a reassuring smile, though it did little to mask the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. “You were just doing your job. I’m not upset, and I don’t hold it against you.” Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered in the air like a heavy fog.

Now that the full context was laid bare, her anger felt misplaced, almost trivial. Owen’s actions were rooted in a genuine concern for her well-being as the mother of his child—what could be more noble than that? She couldn’t bring herself to accuse him of invading her privacy when he was the very one providing for her needs, ensuring she was fed, sheltered, and cared for. Turning against the hand that was feeding her felt not only unjust but cruel.

“Well, I’ll return to my work, then. Just let me know if you need anything,” Mrs. Turner said, her voice tinged with relief as she turned to leave, casting a nervous glance over her shoulder.

Alone now, Autumn sank into the softness of the sofa, her thoughts racing like a runaway train. After a moment of contemplation, she picked up her phone and dialed Owen’s number, her heart pounding in her chest.

He answered almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for her call. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice steady yet imbued with sincerity.

The unexpected apology caught Autumn off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. “If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again,” he added, and the weight of his words settled in the space between them.

She froze, a whirlwind of complex emotions swirling in her gaze. She had always believed that a man like Owen, with his wealth and influence, would be too proud to apologize, too accustomed to getting his way. The swiftness of his concession left her bewildered. *Is this for the baby, too?* she pondered, her heart softening at the thought.

“You don’t need to apologize,” she replied, her voice steady yet gentle. “I just… I had a really difficult experience with the Lopez family, so I’m a bit sensitive about these matters.”

“The one who should be sorry is me,” he countered, and a silence lingered between them for a few moments before he continued, “That’s all in the past. Things will only improve from here.”

Autumn nodded, feeling a flicker of hope igniting within her. “Thank you.”

“If you ever want to know anything, just ask me,” he added, his tone earnest, a promise hanging in the air.

She knew she was merely being polite in her response. After all, she was carrying Owen’s child. She assumed that as the father, he would want to be involved in every aspect of the baby’s growth, which explained his constant communication with Mrs. Turner. It made more sense for them to converse directly rather than rely on someone else to relay messages back and forth. Besides, the baby was still inside her; Mrs. Turner couldn’t see through her skin to understand what was truly happening as vividly as Autumn could.

“Great. Then I’ll just video call you directly next time,” Owen said, his tone casual, yet the implication of his words sent a ripple of surprise through her.

Autumn blinked, taken aback. *Wait, what? Did my words imply that?* Just as she was about to clarify, Owen interjected, “I’ve got another call coming in, I have to go,” and before she could respond, he hung up, leaving her in a state of confusion.

How was she supposed to articulate that she merely meant to send him a text update each day to assure him she was alright? Wasn’t a video call a bit too… personal?

Her thoughts spiraled, but she didn’t have much time to ponder. Her team had messaged her with an update regarding the Southside project, and her focus quickly shifted back to her work. She grabbed her laptop and retreated to the study, losing herself in her tasks until the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the window.

Mrs. Turner appeared, inquiring if she was ready for dinner. “Coming,” Autumn replied, closing her laptop and rising to her feet.

Descending the stairs, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the meals prepared for her, though designed for pregnant women, were anything but bland or unappetizing. Just as she was about to dig into her meal, a video call from Owen flashed across her screen.

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