The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 56

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

Autumn Lopez felt a heavy weight settle in her chest, a suffocating realization that she could no longer trust a single word that fell from Mars Wright’s mouth.

The mere thought of a family of three? It was ludicrous, a cruel joke played by fate.

If only he had the slightest inkling that the child nurturing within her was not his, a tempest of chaos would have erupted long ago.

That man—an utterly shameless, ungrateful, and cold-hearted wretch—had dared to betray her with his own sister-in-law. He was unworthy of the title of father; his lineage should end with him, a fitting conclusion to his selfishness.

“Just focus on taking care of Lydia,” he had said, as if the complexities of their situation could be simplified into such a dismissive statement.

Autumn, trembling with the urge to unleash her pent-up frustration, quickly steered the conversation away from the brewing storm within her.

On the other end of the line, Mars’s confusion was palpable, his brow furrowing deeply as he struggled to comprehend her sudden shift in demeanor.

“Autumn, are you hiding something from me? It feels like I’m talking to a stranger.”

In that moment, Autumn’s heart raced. Did he suspect the divorce papers?

But then again, if Mars truly grasped her determination to end their marriage and the steps she was taking to sever ties with her job, he would have created a tempest of chaos by now.

His calmness was likely a result of his shock over her drastic transformation, a shift so profound it had bruised his fragile ego.

A cold, mocking light flickered in Autumn’s eyes, illuminating the depths of her resentment.

How selfish he was, acutely aware of his own interests while completely oblivious to the pain he had inflicted on her for years.

That was the essence of a scumbag: a walking contradiction. Mars could indulge in his sordid affairs with reckless abandon, yet the moment she dared to step outside the confines of his expectations, he felt compelled to interrogate her.

“What’s changed?”

Autumn feigned ignorance, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Am I not the same person I’ve always been?”

“But you moved out,” Mars replied, a hint of grievance coloring his tone.

“Autumn, that’s our home. If you leave, can it even be called a home anymore?”

“Please come back. It would ease my mind. And think about it—you’re pregnant. What if something were to happen to you out there? How would I explain that to Mom and Dad?”

“That’s my child too! You can’t be so cruel as to keep a father from seeing his child all the time, can you? I need to be part of this pregnancy.”

A low chuckle escaped Autumn’s lips, laced with bitter irony.

“Is that so? Then do you happen to remember when my next check-up is?”

Mars faltered, clearly caught off guard, his silence speaking volumes.

He honestly couldn’t recall when Autumn’s next appointment was, a glaring indication of his neglect.

“Besides, you haven’t been home in ages, have you? If you had, you wouldn’t have just realized I moved out. You call it our home, yet I was always the only one there.”

Mars fell silent, left speechless by her words.

Autumn wasn’t laying out these points out of a desire for him to remember her appointments or return home each night.

No, she was simply stating the undeniable truth.

In the past, when Autumn had loved him, she would have made excuses for his behavior.

But now, with her feelings having shifted, she felt liberated to voice whatever she desired. After all, he was the one who would be left squirming under the weight of his own guilt.

A cheating scumbag deserved to be haunted by his own conscience.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’m hanging up,” she declared, her voice steady and resolute, a newfound strength radiating from her.

Mars knew he couldn’t remain silent. “Autumn, I realize I’ve been neglecting you,” he admitted, his tone laced with guilt. “I promise it’s just for a little while longer. Once Lydia is out of the hospital, I’ll return and stay with you until you give birth.”

“Just give me a bit more time. Lydia is your sister, after all. I’m sure you understand, right?”

“Aren’t Mom and Dad back?” Autumn thought to herself, secretly thrilled at the prospect of Mars staying away, allowing her to navigate the divorce waiting period and finalize everything without interference.

But she couldn’t let go too easily; that would raise his suspicions.

Her icy demeanor had already put him on edge, and with their unexpected encounter at the Bennett Group, he likely still had doubts.

Yet, hearing her sound jealous, reminiscent of their earlier days, likely eased his suspicions.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, his tone reverting to irritation. “You mean you want your parents to take care of Lydia?”

“Autumn, you have it way too easy as a big sister.”

Unconsciously, she clenched her fists, her gaze darting around before finally locking onto Owen’s again, feeling the intensity of the moment.

“Is something wrong?”

Owen observed her every reaction, a fleeting smile gracing his lips, as if he found her flustered state amusing.

“To discuss the investment.”

Autumn’s expression shifted to one of seriousness, the gravity of his words sinking in.

“What about it?”

Because her divorce was still in process, Owen’s investment in the Lopez Group hadn’t officially commenced.

It was a significant move, and they had agreed to keep it under wraps for the time being, a delicate balance they were attempting to maintain.

“Have you ever thought about making the Lopez Group truly yours?”

Autumn froze, confusion washing over her like a tidal wave.

She didn’t fully grasp his meaning, the implications swirling in her mind.

But as she looked up and met the profound depth in his eyes, everything clicked into place.

“You mean… use the framework of the Lopez Group to establish my own company?”

Owen nodded, his expression earnest, a spark of excitement in his gaze. “That’s precisely what I’m suggesting.”

“You have the team, you have the projects, and now you have the funding. Why not take the leap?”

In the aftermath of her tumultuous conversation with Mars, Autumn stood at a crossroads, feeling the weight of her decisions settle upon her shoulders. The emotional turmoil she had endured was slowly transforming into a sense of empowerment. No longer shackled by the chains of betrayal and resentment, she began to envision a future that was solely hers. The realization that she could harness the framework of the Lopez Group to create something entirely new sparked a flicker of hope within her. It was as if the shadows of her past were finally giving way to the light of possibility, illuminating a path toward independence and fulfillment. The tumult of her relationship with Mars had forged her into a stronger, more resolute woman, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.

As she exchanged ideas with Owen, Autumn felt a sense of camaraderie and support that had long been absent from her life. His encouragement ignited a fire within her, urging her to take control of her destiny. The prospect of establishing her own company signified not just a professional leap but a personal renaissance, a chance to redefine herself outside the confines of her previous life. In that moment, Autumn understood that she was not merely chasing light; she was becoming the architect of her own peace. With newfound clarity, she stepped forward, ready to embrace the future with courage, determination, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter of *Chasing Light, Finding Peace*, readers can anticipate a tumultuous clash of emotions as Autumn grapples with her newfound autonomy and the looming presence of her estranged husband, Mars. With the tension between them reaching a boiling point, Autumn must confront not only her feelings of betrayal but also the uncertain future of her pregnancy and the impending divorce. As she navigates this emotional minefield, the stakes will rise, and the reader will be left wondering how far she is willing to go to reclaim her life and protect her child from the shadows of Mars’s deceit.

Moreover, the introduction of Owen Bennett into Autumn’s life will bring a fresh dynamic that could either propel her toward newfound independence or complicate her already tangled web of relationships. As they discuss the potential of the Lopez Group, Autumn must decide whether to seize the opportunity to carve out her own identity or remain shackled to her past. Will she embrace Owen’s vision and step into her power, or will the ghosts of her past hold her back? The chapter promises to be a turning point, filled with unexpected revelations and choices that will shape Autumn’s journey toward peace and self-discovery. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as Autumn stands at the crossroads of her life, with the possibility of empowerment glimmering just ahead.