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?”

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