The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 95

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

Mars had always believed that Lydia Lopez was the most understanding person he had ever met. She was not just a fleeting crush; she had been his ideal partner, the one who had slipped through his fingers. The thought of rekindling their romance felt like stepping into a dream—a thrilling escape from reality.

But as the haze of infatuation began to fade, he found himself grappling with a harsh truth: the Lydia he once adored had transformed into someone he barely recognized.

“Did I force you?” she spat, her voice laced with venom.

A bitter laugh escaped Mars’s lips, cold and humorless. “Have you forgotten that it was you who begged me to drive you home that night?”

“Autumn even mentioned you were her little sister, worried sick about you being alone,” he continued, his tone sharp. “She insisted I take you home.”

“And what did you say then?” Lydia challenged, her eyes narrowing.

“You smiled sweetly and said, ‘Thanks, sis.'”

The memory of that night flooded back to him vividly. The moment the car had stopped outside her house, she had flung her arms around him, declaring that she had never forgotten him. She had confessed that despite knowing he was her brother-in-law, she couldn’t bear to let him go. She was willing to forgo any official title, as long as they could be together.

“You!” Lydia’s face was a storm of fury.

She had never anticipated that Mars would recall the details of that night with such clarity. Yet, deep down, she knew she had said all those things.

Back then, Cloudbreak Corporation was on the rise, and as its ambitious CEO, Mars had become the talk of the town, lauded as the unexpected star of the business world. Lydia had always been drawn to men of wealth and power, convinced that only they were worthy of her affection.

The realization that Mars, who once harbored feelings for her, was now entangled with her sister ignited a fierce jealousy within her. Without hesitation, she had plotted to win him back.

“It takes two to tango, Mars. If you weren’t interested, how could I have possibly reeled you in?”

With Mars having laid everything bare, Lydia dropped her façade.

“My dear brother-in-law, just think for a moment about what would happen if my sister discovered that you’ve been cheating on her with me for so long, and that you’ve also planted our baby in her belly. Do you honestly believe she would stay with you?”

A tremor of dread coursed through Mars.

He understood Autumn all too well. With her fiery spirit, the moment she uncovered the truth, she would undoubtedly file for divorce.

And then, Cloudbreak Corporation would face a catastrophic fallout.

Moreover, if this scandal broke out, the carefully crafted image of a devoted family man he had built would crumble in an instant.

Mars had never, in his wildest dreams, imagined that Lydia would wield this knowledge as a weapon against him.

“What are you trying to imply?” he asked, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

He had always believed that his love for Lydia was genuine. He never anticipated that a single comment from Autumn in a group chat could unravel everything.

So, was this the true Lydia?

Had he sacrificed his loving wife for this twisted version of the woman he once adored?

At that moment, Mars felt like a complete fool.

The guilt began to wash over him, a tidal wave threatening to pull him under.

Oh God, what have I done…

“I’m not trying to say anything,” Lydia replied, her voice a mix of defiance and frustration.

She hadn’t intended to drop her act so soon. After all, she hadn’t even met the CEO of the Bennett Group yet; that opportunity seemed like a distant dream.

But lately, she felt wronged by Mars, and her emotions had finally boiled over.

With my looks, she thought confidently, the CEO of the Bennett Group will fall for me the second he sees me.

Once that happens, it won’t matter what happens to Mars, this disposable backup plan.

Besides, he’s useless in bed with anyone else now. I’m the only one who can get him going.

And their baby is still nestled in Autumn’s belly. No matter how you slice it, she held all the cards.

That was why she didn’t hesitate to lay everything out in the open.

It was becoming painfully clear that Lydia’s motives for getting close to him might never have been pure.

“What kind of compensation do you want?” he asked, his voice heavy with resignation.

Hearing Mars’s capitulation, Lydia felt a surge of triumph.

She failed to notice the storm brewing behind his calm demeanor.

Privately, she chastised herself for not taking this step sooner. All the time she spent holding back had only allowed Autumn to keep everything good.

“You could say I got hurt because of you, so shouldn’t you make it up to me? I don’t want much; I just want to buy a few things at the auction.”

Mars couldn’t believe Lydia was still fixated on that auction.

Grinding his teeth, he forced out a reluctant, “Fine.”

“Love you, Mars! Just wire me the money, okay? You’re so good to me. You don’t need to worry about me at the hospital. I’ll take care of myself. You go do your thing.”

Lydia finally ceased her tantrum, but Mars’s mood didn’t improve in the slightest.

He returned to the group chat and saw that his father-in-law, Oliver, had been utterly useless, spilling everything after just a few questions.

Once the news of Mars’s betrayal spread, everyone was cursing him, declaring he deserved every bit of it.

Some even sent him private messages, indignantly tearing into him for his despicable actions.

[Have you forgotten you’re Autumn’s husband, not Lydia’s? I once thought you were a decent guy, but I guess I was dead wrong!]

Mars covered his eyes, leaning back against his chair, his mind momentarily blank.

Yeah, I’m Autumn’s husband…

How did things spiral into such chaos?