# Chapter 17: The Cake That Tasted of Indifference
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 17 of "REMARRIED AFTER I SECRETLY DIVORCED THE CEO" — a chapter that cuts deep into the raw wounds of a marriage where love has long since turned to dust. If you thought the previous chapters were tense, brace yourselves, because this one will leave your heart aching and your mind reeling.
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Julian had noticed that Autumn had been quiet, distant, her moods like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Thinking it was their wedding anniversary weekend, he cleared his entire schedule, deciding to come home early and spend some quality time with her. He had it all planned — a home-cooked meal, a candlelight dinner, a cake to mark the occasion. What he didn't expect was her ungrateful attitude, her cold shoulder, her insistence on pushing his buttons.
Patience, for a man like Julian Carter, was a finite resource.
"I'm not the one picking a fight," Autumn said, her voice eerily calm, her heart already frozen solid. She stood up, a faint, bitter smile playing on her lips. "I'm allergic to mango, Julian. Not only did you forget that, but you brought home a mango cake for our anniversary?"
Julian paused, caught off guard. Then, in a low tone that betrayed his annoyance, he muttered, "It's just a cake. If you don't like it, I'll get another one."
Autumn's lips twisted. Another one? As if that was the point. She should have known better than to expect reason from a man who had already checked out of this marriage long ago. Small details reveal true character, and this mango cake was proof — proof that he didn't care enough to remember even the simplest things about her. How could she still expect someone who had fallen out of love to remember what she liked? She had been painfully naive.
Without another word, she turned and walked upstairs. There was nothing left to say to someone so shameless.
Julian watched her retreating figure, his appetite completely gone. In a fit of frustration, he grabbed the cake and threw it into the trash. The meal he had spent all afternoon preparing, the carefully arranged candlelight dinner — it all ended in silence and disappointment. Zoe came out and froze, seeing the untouched food and the ruined cake. She had thought this surprise might finally bring them together. But what had gone wrong? The house's soundproofing meant she hadn't heard a word of their argument.
"Sir, did you and Mrs. Carter argue again?" she asked, confused.
Julian rubbed his temples, exhaustion written all over his face. "No."
Oh. So it must have been Autumn losing her temper again, Zoe thought. Lately, her moods had been getting worse — picking fights every few days. It was becoming a real headache.
Later that night, after her shower, Autumn came downstairs for water. The table had been cleared. She filled a glass, took a few sips, then walked to the coffee table. She tore off the page marked "7" from the calendar — the anniversary date — and tossed it into the trash. Then she refilled her glass and went back upstairs to work on her speech draft.
The next day was Thursday. Autumn woke up early, went to the kitchen, and made herself some stomach-soothing oatmeal. Zoe, assuming this was Autumn's way of apologizing to Julian after last night's fight, thought nothing of it and left early to shop for groceries. Autumn, still yawning, had stayed up late finishing her speech draft. Her stomach pain had been acting up more frequently, so she figured it was time to eat more carefully.
As she brought the steaming bowl to the table, Julian came downstairs. Seeing her with the bowl, he assumed she had woken up early to make it for him — a peace offering. But Autumn simply sat down, blew on the oatmeal, and began eating small spoonfuls, never once looking up.
Julian's gaze darkened. He turned and went back upstairs, coming down minutes later with his briefcase. The whole time, Autumn didn't spare him a single glance. It was as if he were invisible. She had clearly decided to stay mad forever. He was probably the only person patient enough to tolerate her dramatic moods.
He left the house, face stormy, briefcase in hand.
After finishing her breakfast, Autumn grabbed her car keys and left too. Work at the beginning of the week was always heavy. She threw herself into it, working non-stop except for a quick lunch break. When she finally looked up, rubbing her sore temples, she let out a breath, shut her laptop, and prepared to leave. Thinking of tomorrow's seminar, she wrote up a leave request and knocked on Frank's office door.
"Come in."
Autumn handed him the slip with a polite smile. "Mr. Miller, I need to take the day off tomorrow. Hope you'll approve it."
Frank glanced at the note, assumed it was sick leave, and signed without much thought. Autumn left the office in good spirits, planning to work on her speech draft at home and refine some new ideas.
But when the elevator doors opened in the underground parking garage, she found Alex leaning against her car, smoking. Nearby, Julian's car was parked — he was in the back seat, seemingly resting. Alex saw Autumn and quickly stubbed out the cigarette, tossing it into a trash bin. He stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Ma'am, there's been an issue with a project these past few days. Mr. Carter has been working non-stop and only just got a chance to rest. Please don't disturb him."
Alex truly believed Julian had enough on his plate with the company. Now he had to deal with the ever-troublesome Autumn. She never helped, only stirred up drama. The boss really had it rough.
Autumn gave Alex a glance, not even interested in arguing. She moved to step around him, but he blocked her again. "Ma'am, please don't make this difficult. I'm asking you to leave. Don't interrupt Mr. Carter's rest."
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**Reader's Impressions & Star Rating:**
Oh, this chapter stung. The mango cake was the perfect metaphor — a beautiful, sweet gesture that was completely wrong for her, just like this marriage. Julian's assumption that she made oatmeal for him shows how little he actually sees her. And Alex blocking Autumn? The disrespect is infuriating. But what really broke my heart was Autumn tearing off that calendar page. She's done. She's checked out. And no one — not Julian, not Alex — has any idea that her heart has already packed its bags. This chapter was emotionally draining but brilliantly written.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars
**Next Chapter Prediction:**
Autumn's leave request wasn't for sickness — it was for something far more significant. I have a feeling tomorrow's seminar is going to be the turning point. Maybe she's finally going to speak her truth, announce her departure, or confront Julian in a way that leaves no room for misunderstanding. And the way Alex blocked her from Julian's car? That might be the last straw. I predict all hell is about to break loose — and this time, Autumn won't be the one running away.
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