The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 45

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

“Mars, please! Don’t do anything stupid!”

A cluster of his friends surged forward, worry etched across their faces as they tried to restrain him. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each of them acutely aware of the precarious situation unfolding before them.

The Bennett Group was a behemoth in the industry, a powerhouse that dwarfed their own ambitions.

If only Mars had been sober, perhaps he could have navigated this moment with the finesse they all knew he was capable of. After all, Cloudbreak Corporation was flourishing under his stewardship, and they had faith in his ability to engage with the formidable representatives of the Bennett Group.

But in his current state—completely and utterly intoxicated—the potential for catastrophe loomed ominously. What if he accidentally blurted something inappropriate or, even worse, lost his lunch right there in their pristine lobby before he could even make a proper introduction? The fallout would be monumental!

“Don’t hold me back!” he bellowed defiantly, his voice echoing off the walls.

“I have to go today!”

Drunk Mars was overflowing with a bravado that was both misplaced and alarming.

“Who does Autumn Lopez think she is? Just because she signed with Mistveil Group, does she really think I’m some kind of freeloader?”

“I’m going to secure this deal with the Bennett Group today and prove to Autumn Lopez that I’m not a loser!”

His friends exchanged incredulous glances, a mix of concern and disbelief washing over them.

Having known Mars for years, they were painfully aware of the tangled web of emotions he shared with Autumn. It was hard to fathom that, in his inebriated state, he was now shouting her name with such fervor.

What was happening here?

Was this a classic case of love morphing into loathing?

“Mars, buddy, you’re completely wasted. Why don’t we get you a room so you can sleep this off?”

“Yeah, or we can just take you home. You mentioned wanting to see Autumn, right? How about we do that instead?”

But Mars, too far gone to comprehend their words, felt the name “Autumn Lopez” resonate deep within him, igniting a fire of determination.

With a sudden burst of energy, he shoved aside the friends attempting to guide him away, a cocky grin spreading across his face. “I’m going to see Autumn! And when I land that contract with the Bennett Group, I’ll shove it right in her face!”

“Okay, okay, shove it in Autumn’s face. But let’s get you home first, alright?”

The group tried everything to reason with him—pleading, pulling, coaxing—but their efforts were in vain.

A drunk man is as stubborn as a mule, and Mars was proving to be no exception.

He flailed wildly, creating chaos among his friends as they nearly collided with one another in their attempts to corral him.

After a few rounds of bumping heads and stepping on each other’s toes, some of them finally relented.

“Forget it. What’s the point of arguing with a drunk? Let’s just take him to the Bennett Group.”

“He won’t stop otherwise.”

The others hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. “But is it really that easy to just walk into the Bennett Group?”

“We’ll drive him by the building, let him see it, and then bring him back. I’ll text Lydia on the way. We can leave him with her and head home.”

The suggestion seemed to resonate with the group.

They looked back at Mars, who was a disheveled mess, with a mix of amusement and disgust.

“Let’s go.”

They hoisted him into the car, their efforts tinged with exasperation. As they watched Mars heave and create a scene, their expressions of disgust deepened.

Despite his drunken state, Mars had an uncanny ability to sense the mood around him. Picking up on their disdainful looks only fueled his arrogance further. “Don’t you dare look at me like that! Once I sign this contract with the Bennett Group, you’ll all be nothing!”

“I’ll be walking all over every single one of you!”

The air in the car grew thick with the stench of alcohol. The guy in the passenger seat rolled down the window, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, finally quieting Mars.

A collective sigh of relief escaped the group.

“Are we still heading to the Bennett Group?”

The driver hesitated, ready to turn around, when suddenly, a hand shot out from the backseat and wrapped around his neck. “Driver, take us to the Bennett Group. Now. Don’t waste my time. I need to sign that contract with Mr. Bennett!”

Everyone fell silent, their expressions frozen in disbelief.

The driver clenched his jaw, pressed down on the gas, and sped toward the Bennett Group.

Meanwhile, Autumn Lopez had just stepped out of her car, an insulated container in hand, contemplating whether to head straight inside to ask the front desk to contact Owen Bennett or to call him first. Just then, the harsh screech of tires shattered the calm.

Her arm felt trapped in a vice grip, pain radiating through her.

“Let go!”

She instinctively tried to shake the hand off, but Mars’s friends surged forward, surrounding her.

“It really is Autumn Lopez?”

“I thought Mars was mistaken, but it’s really her!”

“Autumn, what are you doing here?”

The men scrutinized her, then snatched the insulated container from her grasp.

“Well, well, looks like you heard our boy Mars was coming and decided to lie in wait for him!”

“Mars, look how considerate Autumn is! She knew you were drunk and probably have a headache, so she came all this way to bring you soup!”

The top layer of the container contained soup. The men opened it, peering inside at the light broth, immediately concluding that Autumn had made it to help Mars sober up.

Mars chuckled, a grin spreading across his face. “Autumn, it’s good to see you know your place and came to suck up to me.”

“I’ll let it slide that you ditched me to have dinner with the rep from Mistveil Group.”

“You know what to do about the Lopez Group. We’re husband and wife; I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you, right?”

Mars reached for the container. “Since you already made it, I suppose I can force myself to have some.”

Watching them weave their little narrative, Autumn couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. “Who said this was for you? Give it back!”

In the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions enveloping Mars, a stark realization began to dawn upon him. His reckless bravado, fueled by alcohol and insecurity, had led him to confront Autumn in a manner that was both embarrassing and revealing. As he stumbled through the chaos, surrounded by friends and the remnants of his pride, the facade he had constructed around himself began to crack. Mars was not merely chasing a business deal; he was desperately seeking validation, longing for a sense of worth that had eluded him since the unraveling of his marriage. The laughter and jeers from his friends, though meant to be light-hearted, pierced through his bravado, forcing him to confront the reality of his situation. In that moment, he understood that proving himself to Autumn was not the path to peace he had envisioned; rather, it was a journey inward that required him to confront his vulnerabilities, not mask them with bravado.

As the chaotic scene unfolded, a flicker of clarity emerged amid the drunken haze. Mars began to grasp that his quest for validation, whether through business success or personal relationships, was rooted in a deeper need for self-acceptance. Autumn, witnessing his unraveling, became a mirror reflecting not just his failures, but also the possibility of redemption. The tension between them, once charged with animosity, now hinted at a complicated bond that could either lead to reconciliation or further estrangement. As the laughter faded and the reality of their shared history settled in, Mars felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this chaotic encounter was not merely a stumbling block but a stepping stone toward finding peace within himself and, ultimately, a chance to rebuild the connections he had taken for granted. In that moment, he resolved to seek not just the light of success, but the warmth of understanding and forgiveness, both from Autumn and himself.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter of “Chasing Light, Finding Peace,” readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions as Mars and Autumn’s volatile history collides in a chaotic confrontation. With Mars still reeling from his drunken bravado, the tension will escalate as he attempts to navigate the thin line between desperation and arrogance. Will he manage to salvage his dignity in front of Autumn and his friends, or will his reckless behavior lead to an even greater fallout? As Autumn grapples with her own feelings, the stakes will rise, forcing her to confront the remnants of their tumultuous relationship head-on.

Moreover, the looming presence of the Bennett Group will add an intriguing layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. Will Mars’s impulsive decision to crash into this pivotal moment jeopardize the very deal he’s been fighting for? As the chapter unfolds, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see if Mars can turn his reckless gamble into a triumphant comeback or if Autumn will finally draw the line, putting an end to the games they’ve been playing. With both characters at a crossroads, the next chapter promises to deliver unexpected twists and emotional revelations that will leave readers breathless.