The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 86

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace – by Rohan Verma**
**Chapter 86**

Mars had never anticipated the extent of Lydia’s injuries. The sight of blood seeping from her wounds sent a jolt of panic coursing through him, making his heart race.

“Are you okay, Lydia?” he asked, his voice laced with concern, though he felt a knot tightening in his stomach.

“Sorry, Mom, I got a little carried away and didn’t realize how hard I was hitting…” Lydia’s voice trailed off, her eyes wide with a mix of regret and defiance.

Just as she was about to launch into a spirited rebuttal, Mrs. Lopez, with a swift and deliberate motion, dug her fingers into Lydia’s waist. The unspoken message was clear, and in an instant, Lydia crumpled into her mother’s embrace, her sobs echoing in the small room, raw and unrestrained.

The atmosphere in the private space shifted palpably. The onlookers, who had witnessed Lydia’s fiery spirit on countless occasions, now found themselves confronted with a heart-wrenching scene—her vulnerability laid bare. Their expressions morphed from amusement to concern, and a murmur of sympathy rippled through the group.

One brave soul stepped forward, breaking the tension. “You should really take her to a hospital, man. You don’t want her to end up with scars,” he advised, his tone a mix of urgency and camaraderie.

“Right, right—get your girl—oh, I mean, get Lydia to the hospital first,” Mars stammered, quickly correcting himself. The slip of the tongue hung awkwardly in the air, as everyone present understood the complicated nature of his relationship with Lydia. It was an unspoken rule that he should tread carefully, especially in front of her mother.

Mrs. Lopez, however, feigned ignorance, choosing to ignore the slip. She had her own plans for Lydia, ones that would never see the light of day. Coaching her daughter on how to navigate her feelings for her brother-in-law was one thing; letting those schemes unravel in front of her was another.

“I’ve already called 911. The ambulance will be here soon,” she announced, her voice steady, though her heart raced with worry.

The others exchanged glances, each silently weighing their options before making their excuses to leave. One by one, they filtered out of the room, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on their shoulders.

The club’s staff arrived shortly after, ushering the hostesses away, leaving only Lydia, her mother, and Mars in the dimly lit room. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words.

Finally, Mrs. Lopez broke the stillness. “Mars, no matter what happened, you can’t be this rough with Lydia. How am I supposed to explain this to her father and Autumn?” Her voice was firm, but the underlying concern was palpable.

Autumn, who had been watching the unfolding drama on a monitor, raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued at the mention of her name. She leaned in closer, her curiosity about Mars’s involvement intensifying.

A flicker of guilt crossed Mars’s face at the realization of the mess they were in. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Mom, you can’t pin this all on me. I came here to unwind because I was in a bad mood, and then Lydia just had to show up and create a scene… How do you think it looks when she throws a fit like that in front of everyone?”

“Autumn never nags me about these things. I’ve treated Lydia well. Does she really need to keep me on a leash to feel secure?” His voice rose slightly, frustration creeping in.

Mrs. Lopez shot Lydia a penetrating look, her disappointment evident. She had always taught her daughter the importance of tact when dealing with men. Making a scene was never the answer, no matter how justified the emotions might be. A little drama was acceptable, but one could never afford to lose control; it was a sure way to push a man away.

“Lydia’s just been spoiled by her father and me, you know that, Mars. She doesn’t mean any harm,” Mrs. Lopez continued, her tone softening slightly.

“What’s done is done. The priority right now is getting her to the hospital,” Mars replied, his voice firm yet understanding. He sensed the shift in Mrs. Lopez’s demeanor, recognizing that she knew Lydia had crossed a line today.

As expected, the tension in Mars’s expression eased somewhat.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ensure the doctors use the best medicine. I won’t let Lydia have any scars,” he promised, his voice low and reassuring.

Lydia, feeling a mix of indignation and vulnerability, continued to sniffle, her emotions still raw.

Mars’s heart softened further, and he felt compelled to share the truth about why he had come to the club that night. “The only reason I came here to drink was because I was stressed out. And then you show up and start a fight. What was the point? Are you happy now that it’s come to this?”

Tears glistening in her eyes, Lydia replied, “I just found out you hired a bunch of hot new secretaries at the office, and then I walk in on you with hostesses at the club. How could I not be mad? Go ask any woman if she could stand for that.”

The revelation of Lydia’s jealousy struck Mars like a bolt of lightning, igniting a complex mix of exasperation and pride within him.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify