The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 52

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

**Chapter 52**

Did Autumn truly have everything under control?

No, that simply couldn’t be the case.

If she had even the faintest idea of the misstep he had taken, her fiery temper would have unleashed a tempest of wrath. So why, then, was she sitting there with such unsettling composure?

A wave of anxiety crashed over Mars, but he forced himself to steady his breathing.

He began to mentally sift through her actions over the past few weeks, trying to untangle the enigma that was Autumn. It struck him like a bolt of lightning—her recent odd behavior was deeply rooted in jealousy, especially regarding her sister, Lydia.

With this realization, a sense of calm washed over him, momentarily dispelling his worries. He turned to Autumn, adopting a façade of innocence. “Autumn, what’s really going on? Are you upset because I let Lydia come work at Cloudbreak?”

She shot back, her voice sharp and clear, “I’ve already explained it to you; Lydia is your sister. Your parents were away on vacation, so of course we should look out for her. Why must you always be so envious of Lydia?”

The words struck a nerve, sending a pulse of anger surging through Oliver, causing a vein to throb ominously on his forehead.

“Is that really true?” he barked, disbelief radiating from him.

“Autumn, you’re an adult now. Are you still jealous of your own sister?”

As he spoke, Oliver’s fingers began to unbuckle his belt, his intentions becoming alarmingly clear. “You think just because you’re married, you can do whatever you please? Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson about your place in this family!”

Mrs. Lopez, witnessing the escalating situation, rushed in, her voice filled with urgency. “Oliver! Why unleash your anger on a child? We both know we’ve allowed Autumn to feel slighted over the years because Lydia is younger. This isn’t right!”

Instead of calming Oliver, her words only fueled his rage further.

“Fair? I’m the one who runs the Lopez household! What does she know about fairness?”

Autumn stood frozen, her heart racing as she observed her father, now a raging bull. Vivid memories flooded back, uninvited.

This was just like her childhood. The moment she made even the slightest mistake, her father would reach for his belt or whatever was within arm’s reach, unleashing his wrath upon her.

Penelope, her stepmother, would stand off to the side, feigning comfort.

But in truth, she was merely pouring gasoline on the flames.

In her younger years, Autumn had genuinely believed her stepmother was kind, nothing like the wicked figures depicted in fairy tales.

As she matured and began to comprehend the reality around her, it became painfully clear that they were all merely acting for her benefit.

So, she began to conceal her true self, gradually distancing herself from the Lopez family.

Yet, despite all those years of turmoil, she had developed a genuine affection for her sister, Lydia.

In the past, even though Lydia was spoiled, she had treated Autumn with unexpected kindness. Her playful antics had managed to melt a bit of the ice that encased Autumn’s heart.

But then Mars entered her life, and she abandoned all hope of reconciliation with her family, dedicating herself to creating a small, joyful haven of her own.

She had believed she found happiness in her marriage, convinced she had finally escaped the suffocating hell of pretense. Yet, betrayal came knocking, not just from her husband but also from her stepsister.

As Autumn watched Oliver brandish his belt, she felt an icy calm envelop her, surprising even herself.

Oliver, taken aback by her lack of fear, felt as though his authority as the patriarch was being openly challenged.

“So you’re not even going to pretend to feel remorse?” he sneered.

“Fine, fine. Today, I’m going to show you how to be a proper daughter and an older sister!”

With his hand raised high, Autumn’s fingers slipped quietly into her purse.

Ever since learning of her pregnancy, she had taken to carrying a can of pepper spray, just in case the unthinkable happened.

In the past, she might have accepted the abuse as her fate. But after the despicable betrayal by Lydia and Mars, she vowed never to submit to anyone in this family again.

Moreover, she now had a child to protect. If Oliver dared to lay a finger on her, she would ensure he found himself in the hospital, not her.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Just as Oliver’s belt was about to come crashing down upon her, the door swung open, and a nurse stepped in.

Autumn pressed her lips into a thin line, her voice steady and resolute. “I will not be staying at the hospital.”

Her words ignited her father’s fury anew.

“You won’t stay? If you refuse, then who will? Autumn, don’t be so selfish!”

Autumn frowned, ready to respond, but Mars interjected. “Dad, there’s no need to be angry. Autumn is probably just scared. How about this: you and Mom head home first. The two of us will stay here; everything will be fine.”

Oliver’s expression softened, the anger dissipating almost instantly.

“Good, good. Mars is always the sensible one.”

“Mars, my boy, I’ll leave everything in your capable hands. If Lydia wakes up, make sure to call me and your mother. We’ll come right over.”

Before departing, Oliver and Penelope approached Lydia’s bedside, their hands tenderly stroking her hair, their affection unmistakable.

Autumn thought she would be immune to such a display by now.

But instead, a sharp pang of pain shot through her heart, causing her breath to hitch.

She couldn’t fathom how they could be so openly biased.

Despite her countless attempts to accept this harsh reality, when it was laid bare before her, the anguish they inflicted was impossible to ignore.

Oliver and Penelope didn’t even spare her a glance as they exited. It wasn’t until the door to the hospital room clicked shut that Mars moved closer to Autumn, his gaze piercing. “Autumn, what exactly is the relationship between you and Mr. Bennett from the Bennett Group?”

In the aftermath of the chaos, Autumn stood at a crossroads, her heart pounding with a mixture of defiance and sorrow. The confrontation with Oliver had unearthed buried memories of fear and pain, yet it also ignited a fierce determination to reclaim her voice and protect her unborn child. The days of accepting abuse as her fate were over; she had witnessed the fragility of her family’s facade, and the betrayal she felt from both Mars and Lydia had solidified her resolve to carve out her own identity. As she faced the remnants of her tumultuous past, she felt the flicker of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, she could finally chase the light that had eluded her for so long.

With Mars’s probing question lingering in the air, Autumn realized that this moment could be a turning point—a chance to redefine her narrative and confront the complexities of her relationships. The emotional weight of her family’s expectations and the scars of her childhood were still present, yet she felt an emerging sense of peace within her. For the first time, she was not merely a victim of her circumstances but a woman ready to fight for her happiness and the future of her child. As she prepared to respond to Mars, Autumn understood that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she was no longer afraid to step into the light and embrace the peace she had long sought.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the tension in the hospital room hangs thick in the air, the aftermath of Oliver’s explosive outburst leaves Autumn grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. With her father and stepmother gone, the stage is set for a pivotal confrontation between Autumn and Mars. What secrets lie beneath Mars’s piercing gaze, and how will Autumn respond to his probing question about Mr. Bennett? The revelation of her connection to the enigmatic businessman could hold the key to her future, potentially altering her relationship with Mars and the Lopez family forever.

Moreover, the dynamics of Autumn’s past will continue to haunt her as she navigates the fragile waters of familial loyalty and betrayal. Will she find the courage to confront her painful memories, or will she retreat into the shadows of her former self? As the chapter unfolds, readers can expect a deeper exploration of Autumn’s psyche, revealing her struggles for independence and her fierce determination to protect her unborn child from the chaos that has defined her life. The stakes have never been higher, and the choices she makes could either lead her to a path of empowerment or plunge her back into the depths of despair. Prepare for a gripping continuation that promises to unravel the complexities of love, loyalty, and the quest for peace in the face of adversity.