The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 70

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

**Chapter 70**

“I’m truly sorry, Autumn.”

Mars’s voice was imbued with a softness that felt almost foreign now.

In the early days of their relationship, he used to speak to her like that all the time.

It was a tone that had once wrapped around her like a warm blanket, making her heart flutter with the promise of love and devotion.

She had believed, wholeheartedly, that she had discovered her soulmate, the one person she could rely on through every twist and turn of life.

But reality had a different script, one that revealed that all men, it seemed, were skilled actors in a grand performance.

For years, Mars had played her for the fool, spinning a web of lies that nearly ensnared her completely. If it hadn’t been for Owen Bennett’s unmasking of the truth, that despicable man would have chewed her up and spit her out, leaving nothing but a hollow shell behind.

A cold smirk crept into Autumn’s expression, a flicker of defiance igniting within her.

Yet, she feigned innocence as she asked, “Why the sudden apology?”

Mars’s demeanor shifted instantly.

He was painfully aware that he had amassed a long list of grievances that warranted an apology. His eyes flitted around the room, betraying his guilt as he stuttered, “I just feel bad for causing you trouble today…”

“Autumn, please don’t misunderstand. I hit the assistant because he was disrespectful to Lydia, and since Lydia is your sister, I was only trying to protect you.”

“Really?”

Autumn’s eyes bore into Mars, her gaze sharp and penetrating.

It was a look that seemed to see through his very soul, and it made him break into a cold sweat, beads forming on his forehead.

“Y-Yeah, of course. You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just…”

She allowed a small, melancholic smile to grace her lips. “Mars, the assistant mentioned a few things earlier. He claimed that you and Lydia were getting a little too close at the office while I was on sick leave.”

“Did you really betray me?”

Mars’s heart raced, nearly leaping from his chest in panic.

“That’s absolute nonsense!”

His voice rose, filled with indignation, as he grasped Autumn’s arm and attempted to pull her upstairs. “Come on, we need to confront him. How dare he spread such slander! He must be harboring a grudge because I confronted him today!”

“I can’t believe he would stoop so low. Don’t worry, I will ensure that a backstabbing gossip like him is out of the company for good!”

“And about Lydia, I’ve told you countless times, I only look out for her because she’s your sister. There’s nothing inappropriate happening between us.”

Autumn remained silent, her unwavering stare sending another wave of cold sweat trickling down Mars’s back. Finally, she nodded, her voice steady. “I understand. That’s why I’ve already fired him. Once he exhausts his vacation days, his employment will be terminated. He won’t be stepping foot in our company again.”

For a brief moment, Mars was left speechless, a rush of overwhelming relief flooding through him.

The thought of that assistant lingering around the office made his skin crawl. If he could betray her trust today, what might he do tomorrow?

But if Mars had attempted to fire him, the assistant might have retaliated with all the dirt he had on their relationship.

Autumn’s decision to dismiss him was a whole different ball game.

As long as she held steadfast in her belief that the assistant was lying, no matter how bitter he became or what lies he concocted about Mars and Lydia, Autumn would never accept a word of it.

Mars understood Autumn’s nature well. She had a strict moral compass, and once someone was branded untrustworthy in her eyes, their words would fall on deaf ears.

This realization brought him both comfort and a fresh wave of anxiety.

He was relieved that Autumn cared for him so deeply, that she would choose to believe in him even in such a precarious situation.

Yet, he was also anxious, knowing that her intolerance for betrayal was absolute.

If the truth about his affair with Lydia ever surfaced, he could only imagine the explosive reaction it would provoke in Autumn.

No, that couldn’t happen. He needed to devise a plan to resolve this—quickly.

“Autumn, I always knew you were the best thing in my life.”

“Don’t worry, you’re the only one in my heart.”

“I would never, ever betray you.”

At his words, Autumn couldn’t help but let out a cold, internal laugh.

This scoundrel lies as effortlessly as he breathes. His credibility with me is already in tatters.

“With your assistant gone, things might become a bit inconvenient for a while. I’ll have someone look for a new one for you. We also need to find a replacement for the chief secretary position.”

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