The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

He’d been too lenient with her yesterday, and now she was just pushing it!

“It’s okay, Mars. Maybe Autumn’s just emotional because of the pregnancy. The mood swings can be a lot. Even if she’s targeting me or dislikes me, I don’t blame her.”

Lydia clutched his sleeve, looking utterly pitiful. “What’s most important is that she’s in a good mood.”

“Lydia, you’re just too kind.”

Mars looked at her, his eyes full of heartache as he shielded her. I’ve spoiled Autumn rotten, and now she thinks she’s above everyone. She needs to apologize to you. She needs to learn she was wrong, or who knows what kind of trouble

she’ll cause next!”

“You heard me. Get over here and ask Lydia to forgive you. What are you dawdling over there for?”

Autumn just watched the two of them.

Suddenly, she laughed.

“Look at you two, putting on a show. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re the married couple.”

“So since I’m the outsider here… should I just leave?”

Mars froze, then exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “What the hell are you talking about?!”

“Lydia is your sister, and she’s not even married! Do you get some sick pleasure out of slut–shaming her like this? Is this how a sister is supposed to act?”

Lydia, as if unable to bear the accusation, collapsed into Mars’s arms, crying her eyes out. “Don’t, Mars, just don’t. It’s all my fault. I never should have come. I’m just in the way. I’ll leave, just please don’t fight because of me…”

Though her words said she was leaving, her body only pressed closer to his.

A flicker of scorn crossed Autumn’s eyes. “Alright, if you don’t want to go, then don’t force yourself.”

She rubbed her belly and pushed herself upright with one hand against the wall. Her gaze was ice–cold as she stared at the pair in front of her, who looked like a picture–perfect couple.

“I’m the one who should leave. I won’t get in the way of your little love fest.”

Only then did Mars notice how pale Autumn was. Remembering what he had just done, a flash of guilt crossed his face. He let go of Lydia and went to Autumn’s side.

Lydia hadn’t expected Mars to suddenly let her go and nearly stumbled.

She called out his name in a delicate, whiny voice, “Mars…” but got no response. The look of grievance on her face froze.

“Are you hurt?” Mars reached for Autumn’s stomach. “How’s your belly? I mean, honestly, why are you so careless when you’re pregnant?”

Autumn let out a bitter laugh.

She slapped his hand away. “If someone hadn’t shoved me, would I have hit the wall? What’s with the act now?”

Mars looked guilty for a second. “I was just worried, okay? Would I have gotten angry if you weren’t giving Lydia such a hard time? She’s your sister. Weren’t you two always so close? Why are you always at each other’s throats now?”

Autumn wanted to scream, And you don’t know why?

But a sharp cramp in her belly stole the words from her mouth.

“Hss=”

She clutched her stomach, instinctively grabbing Mars’s arm beside her. “My stomach-”

“It’s all my fault! I should just leave. My sister’s been perfectly healthy since she got pregnant, so it must be me. I’m just so unlikable that something goes wrong every time I show up. Sniffle… I’ll just go!”

With that, Lydia ran out of the conference room, crying.

“Lydia!”

Panicked, Mars didn’t hesitate to shake off Autumn’s hand to chase after her.

The pain in Autumn’s stomach was so intense that beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She struggled to block his path, her voice strained with pain, “My stomach hurts. Take me to the hospital first.”

Mars exploded with rage.

He violently threw off her arm and unleashed a torrent of abuse. “Stop faking it! I was so wrong about you, Autumn Lopez! I thought you were level–headed and mature, but I can’t believe you’d stoop so low and make up lies just to get attention! Lydia’s right, you’ve been perfectly fine this whole pregnancy. I barely even pushed you. How could your stomach possibly hurt!”

“Don’t think being pregnant gives you a get–out–of–jail–free card! I promised your parents I’d take good care of Lydia. You’re her sister, and you’re still acting this jealous and petty? Don’t you have any shame?!”

After spitting out those words, Mars spun around and ran off like the wind, chasing after Lydia.

Suddenly without support, Autumn lost her balance and pitched forward toward the ground.

*Autumn!”

Her assistant, Cindy, who had seen everything, rushed forward and caught her just in time.

Autumn looked up to thank her when she suddenly felt a warm gush below. She looked down in alarm and saw fresh blood running down her leg.