The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 57

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

“Why not give it a shot?” she mused, a spark of defiance igniting deep within her.

Ever since that fateful moment when Autumn uncovered the painful truth about Mars’s betrayal with Lydia, an oppressive weight had settled in her chest, a suffocating burden that felt almost insurmountable. It was a tangled knot of betrayal and sorrow that tightened with every tick of the clock, leaving her feeling ensnared in a relentless vice, with no idea when it would finally snap.

The uncertainty gnawed at her insides, a constant reminder that when the inevitable explosion occurred, she would be the first casualty in this emotional battlefield. The thought of who might get caught in the crossfire was a haunting specter that loomed over her, taunting her with the potential fallout.

Autumn had resolved to bottle up her feelings, convincing herself that maintaining her composure was the wisest course of action. She refused to let a scoundrel and a snake dictate her emotional state. Yet, despite her best efforts, the facade she had so carefully crafted was beginning to crumble under the weight of reality.

No matter how much she tried to cultivate patience, the sight of Mars and Lydia parading their affection right before her was a relentless torment. It felt as though they were engaged in a cruel game, with her as the unwitting fool, forced to watch from the sidelines as they reveled in their deceit. Each shared laugh and stolen kiss chipped away at her self-control, pushing her dangerously close to the edge.

And then, Owen’s words had struck her like a bolt of lightning, jolting her from her stupor.

Autumn wasn’t entirely certain that the path he was suggesting would lead her to the fulfillment she yearned for, but one thing was abundantly clear: it was infinitely more appealing than any other option she had considered.

The thought of succeeding, of watching Mars and Lydia wallow in their misery, brought a flicker of satisfaction to her heart. Wasn’t that a far better alternative to enduring this silent suffering?

After all, she was the one who had been betrayed, the one who had been used. Why should she be the one to endure this torment while they danced through life without a care? They were the ones who should be losing sleep at night, not her!

“Can I truly do this?” Autumn pondered, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. The weight of her pregnancy loomed over her like a dark cloud, casting doubts about whether it would hinder her from pursuing her career.

Especially considering that the baby she carried was the first grandchild of the Bennett family, a fact that Owen had always seemed to cherish deeply. The thought of jeopardizing the well-being of her child because of her ambitions filled her with dread. What if something happened to the baby due to her relentless drive? She could only imagine the disappointment etched on Owen’s face, and she feared that his family would never forgive her.

“Why not?” Owen countered, raising an eyebrow as if her doubts were the most trivial concern in the world.

“The Bennett Group has an entire medical team dedicated to ensuring your health and safety around the clock,” he continued, his tone reassuring and steady.

“Once you give birth, there will be a team in place to manage the company. And if you prefer to take charge yourself, someone will be there to relay your instructions.”

“The biggest variable in all of this is you, not anything else,” he added, his gaze unwavering, piercing through her doubts.

Autumn arched an eyebrow, taken aback. “Me?”

“Exactly,” he affirmed, his voice steady and confident. “It all hinges on your commitment and your willingness to embrace the risks.”

No one had ever spoken to Autumn in such a forthright manner before. She had once believed that Mars respected her ambitions. He had never made her feel as though her career aspirations were futile, and for a time, she had thought she had found an equal partner in him.

But as the days passed, the veil had lifted, revealing the stark truth: Mars had viewed her as nothing more than a tool for his own gain. He had taken her love for granted, assuming she would surrender everything to him without question. While he basked in the glow of the career she had essentially handed him, he had laughed behind her back at the naïve fool who was completely unaware of her own manipulation.

“I’m willing,” Autumn declared, her voice firm and resolute, a newfound determination surging through her.

She had made one grave mistake before; she couldn’t afford to repeat it. Thankfully, it wasn’t too late for her to reclaim her power.

“Good. I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” Owen replied, as if she had just confirmed a simple transaction, his demeanor professional yet oddly warm.

It seemed he had come solely to deliver this news. After speaking, he stood up, casually gathering his laptop, preparing to leave as if the conversation had been a mere formality.

Autumn bit her lip, a surge of courage rising within her, prompting her to call out to him.

“O-Owen,” she stammered, almost slipping into formality by addressing him as Mr. Bennett. But the memory of their unexpected kiss at the hospital flooded her mind, causing her cheeks to flush. She quickly corrected herself, lowering her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

“Something else?” Owen inquired, his voice steady, though she fancied she could detect a hint of concern lurking beneath the surface.

But Autumn dismissed the thought, convincing herself that she must be imagining things. They were merely bound by a contract; why would he feel any concern for her well-being?

“Ahem, I just wanted to express my gratitude,” she managed to say, her voice slightly shaky, the words tumbling out in a rush.

“You’ve already done so much for me, and now this… Thank you.”

Beyond that, her mind raced, and she struggled to find the right words. What she truly wanted to ask was why he was going to such lengths to help her.

Technically, they had a contractual agreement, and Owen was only obligated to fulfill his duties. Yet, he had orchestrated everything with such precision, even planning for her future.

Her heart was not made of stone; it would be unnatural if she weren’t moved by his efforts. Dismissing the idea that he had developed feelings for a woman still entangled in a marriage, she pondered what could possibly motivate him.

In that moment, the emotional chasm she had felt between them seemed to shrink significantly.

She rose from her seat, heading back toward the bedroom with the intention of freshening up. But just as she reached the bathroom, the door clicked open, revealing a figure from within.

Autumn’s eyes widened, and goosebumps prickled her skin.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a monster that emerged but a very familiar face.

“You…” she began, astonishment flooding her senses.

How was Owen here?

Had she accidentally wandered into the wrong room?

Doubt crept into her mind before she could even entertain the notion that Owen might be planning to share a room with her.

That seemed utterly implausible, especially since her divorce was not finalized yet.

She could hardly believe she possessed the charm to entice the CEO of the Bennett Group to become embroiled in a love affair with a woman still tethered to another man.

“The housekeeper mistakenly placed my toiletries in the wrong bathroom,” he explained, breaking the silence, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.

Autumn followed his gaze, her eyes dropping to his hands.

Sure enough, he was clutching a set of brand-new, unopened toiletries, along with a fresh towel and a pair of pajamas.

But her keen observation caught something else: a pair of gray boxers that were impossible to ignore.

In that moment, a whirlwind of emotions surged within her. The realization that Owen was not just a business partner but someone who genuinely cared for her ignited a warmth that had long been dormant. The laughter that had bubbled up moments ago now felt like a beacon of hope, illuminating the darkness that Mars had cast over her life. With each passing day, she had felt more like a spectator in her own story, but now, standing before Owen—who had unexpectedly become her ally—she felt empowered to reclaim her narrative. The impending divorce from Mars no longer felt like a burden, but rather a necessary step toward a future where she could embrace her ambitions and the life growing within her.

In that instant, Autumn understood that she was not just chasing light; she was ready to seize it. The shadows of betrayal and doubt began to fade, replaced by a flicker of excitement for what lay ahead. With Owen by her side, the promise of peace and fulfillment seemed tangible, a stark contrast to the turmoil she had endured. As they exchanged uncertain glances, the air thick with unspoken possibilities, Autumn felt the weight of her past lift ever so slightly. She was no longer defined by her pain but rather by her resolve to forge a new path, one that would lead her to both personal and professional triumphs. With newfound clarity, she took a step forward, ready to embrace the challenges and joys that awaited her in this uncharted territory of her life.