The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 61

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

Mars stood there, utterly bewildered, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief.

His gaze was locked onto Autumn, the shock of the moment etched across his features. The phone in her hand glowed ominously, displaying the name of the man on the other end of the line. A torrent of questions surged through his mind, each more pressing than the last. Who was this man? What kind of relationship did they share?

Yet, the sheer shock of the revelation left him momentarily mute; his lips moved, but no coherent words emerged. It was as though the very essence of the room had been siphoned away, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

Finally, Lydia broke through the oppressive atmosphere that enveloped them, her voice sharp and unyielding. “Autumn, are you genuinely trying to provoke Mars right now?”

Her tone sliced through the tension like a blade, each word laden with urgency. “This isn’t a game, you know. Have you even thought about how Mars is feeling in this moment?”

“Married couples owe each other honesty. You can’t play these childish games. If you want me to keep my distance from you and Mars, I can certainly do that. But you don’t have to hurt yourself like this, nor should you attempt to provoke him. All you’re doing is causing him pain and embarrassment.”

Lydia’s words, cloaked as they were in concern for Mars, dripped with a cunning intent, each syllable designed to burrow deeper into his psyche and amplify his distress.

At last, Mars found his voice, frustration spilling over as he directed an accusatory finger at Autumn. “Who is that on the phone? What’s your relationship with him? Why does he care whether you go to work or not? Are you two hiding something from me?”

Autumn’s expression darkened, her features a storm of conflicting emotions.

In the past, she had allowed Mars and Lydia to trample over her, their words binding her like chains. But the thought of Owen listening on the other end of the line, hearing this scoundrel and his accomplice belittle her to the point of silence… No more. In that instant, Autumn made a resolute decision to reclaim her power.

After all, she and Owen were partners. If she allowed herself to be treated like a doormat, how could she expect anyone else to respect her? Her mind was made up; this moment would not slip through her fingers.

With newfound determination, Autumn did something she had never dared to do before.

She strode to the bedside, her heart racing, and snatched the cup of water from the nightstand. In one swift, defiant motion, she hurled it at Lydia’s face, her resolve igniting a fierce intensity within her.

“Ah-!”

The shock on Lydia’s face was palpable, a mixture of disbelief and surprise. She had never anticipated that Autumn would possess the audacity to retaliate. For a fleeting moment, the mask of hurt she wore slipped, revealing her true emotions. Her eyes now blazed with fury as they locked onto Autumn, as if she were staring at her most formidable adversary. “Autumn, are you out of your mind? How dare you do this to me?”

Nearby, Mars was equally incensed by Autumn’s bold act.

Yet, as he witnessed the transformation of the usually sweet and delicate Lydia into a creature of rage, he found himself frozen in place, momentarily forgetting to check if she was alright.

Lydia caught the look on Mars’s face and realized she had just revealed her true nature. In an instant, her expression shifted; she let out a sob and lowered her head, her voice morphing into a desperate whimper. “Autumn, please don’t be angry. If hitting me or yelling at me will make you feel better, then just do it. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was only trying to help you and Mars…”

Mars shook off the shock, and with a sudden surge of protectiveness, he grasped Autumn’s wrist, pulling her back.

In that brief moment, a safe distance emerged between Autumn and Lydia.

Mars, his face contorted with rage, glared at Autumn. “How could you lay a hand on her, Autumn? Lydia was trying to help us! You haven’t even explained who that man on the phone is. What right do you have to touch her? Have you forgotten your role as an older sister? Lydia is in the hospital, and you still attack her like this! What kind of person are you?”

Seeing Mars ready to defend Lydia, Autumn couldn’t help but let out a cold, mocking laugh. She raised her hand again, fury mingling with defiance.

Thwack. The empty cup collided with Mars’s forehead, the sound echoing through the room before it clattered to the floor.

“Mars!”

Lydia was taken aback, her jaw dropping in disbelief that Autumn would dare to strike Mars as well.

Forgetting her earlier act of vulnerability, she flung off the covers and rushed to his side, her heart aching at the sight of the angry red mark forming on his forehead. “Are you alright, Mars?”

“Does it hurt?”

Autumn observed them, their bodies drawn together, a smirk dancing on her lips.

Anyone unfamiliar with their dynamics might have mistaken them for a devoted couple, so wrapped up in each other’s concern. Who wouldn’t believe they were a perfect match? But no, this duplicitous duo thrived on their clandestine affairs, reveling in their secret escapades.

Mars felt a warmth spread through him at Lydia’s concern. He took her hand, about to express his feelings, when he caught sight of Autumn’s cold, mocking gaze. Panic gripped him.

“Autumn…” He reluctantly pushed Lydia away and took a few tentative steps toward his wife. But recalling their earlier confrontation, he quickly tried to regain his righteous stance. “Have I been too lenient with you, Autumn? How could you hit me?”

Lydia felt a sense of satisfaction with that response. She nestled into his arms, her eyes filled with a mixture of dependence and gratitude. “Autumn must have misunderstood something. You need to find a way to explain it to her properly.”

“And besides,” she added, “even though that man’s voice sounded intimate, you know how Autumn is. She loves you so much; she would never betray you, right?”

“She must have seen us getting closer lately and is just acting out to get attention.”

Mars considered Lydia’s words, finding them to be quite reasonable.

Yet, a faint sense of unease lingered in his heart.

He didn’t share his concerns with Lydia, opting instead to go along with her narrative. “I know. Don’t worry about it. The most important thing right now is for you to rest and recover.”

Lydia nodded sweetly, her expression softening. “I understand, Mars. I’m so sorry for making you worry. When I’m better, can I come keep you company at the office?”

Mars was taken aback. “You want to come to Cloudbreak?”

**Conclusion**

In the tumultuous aftermath of the confrontation, the air in the hospital room crackled with unresolved tension, yet a shift had undeniably occurred within Autumn. No longer the passive figure in her own life, she had reclaimed her voice and agency, casting aside the chains of manipulation that had bound her for too long. The water she had thrown was more than just a physical act; it was a declaration of her refusal to be belittled or dismissed. As she walked away, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and newfound strength, she felt the weight of her decisions settling into place. Autumn was no longer chasing the light of validation from Mars or Lydia; she was forging her own path toward peace, one that demanded respect and honesty.

Meanwhile, Mars stood at the crossroads of his emotions, grappling with the fallout of his choices. Torn between the fragile bond he shared with Autumn and the toxic familiarity of his relationship with Lydia, he felt the suffocating grip of guilt and confusion. As he watched Autumn’s determined departure, a flicker of realization ignited within him. Perhaps it was time to confront the truth of his own actions and the nature of his relationships. The path toward peace would not be easy, but it was a journey he now knew he had to embark on, for both Autumn and himself. In that moment, he understood that true love required more than mere affection; it demanded honesty, accountability, and the courage to face the shadows lurking in their lives.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter of “Chasing Light, Finding Peace,” readers can expect the tension to escalate dramatically as Autumn grapples with the consequences of her bold actions. With a newfound resolve, she is determined to confront the tangled web of lies and deceit that has ensnared her life. As she navigates the emotional fallout from her outburst, the stakes will rise, forcing her to confront not only Mars but also her own feelings about loyalty, betrayal, and the fragile nature of their marriage. Will Autumn’s defiance lead to a deeper understanding between her and Mars, or will it drive an even greater wedge between them?

Meanwhile, Mars finds himself caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. As he tries to reconcile his feelings for both Autumn and Lydia, the lines between love and obligation blur. With Lydia’s manipulative tendencies becoming more apparent, Mars must decide whether to trust his instincts or succumb to the comforting lies that have been spun around him. The chapter promises to delve into his internal struggle, revealing the depth of his character as he grapples with guilt and the fear of losing Autumn for good. Will he muster the courage to confront the truth, or will he remain ensnared in Lydia’s web of deceit?

Expect unexpected revelations and confrontations that will challenge the characters’ relationships in ways they never anticipated. As secrets unravel and hidden motivations come to light, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating how these pivotal moments will reshape the dynamics between Autumn, Mars, and Lydia. Will they find a path to healing, or will their choices lead to irrevocable consequences? The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving readers breathless and craving more.