# Chapter 36: A Bitter Homecoming and the Weight of Wasted Years
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 36 of "REMARRIED AFTER I SECRETLY DIVORCED THE CEO." This chapter is a quiet storm of emotions, where Autumn faces the echoes of her past and the bittersweet reality of her return to the world she once abandoned. Let's dive in, shall we?
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Time is a strange companion, isn't it? It flows gently, carrying us forward whether we're ready or not. For Autumn, those fleeting days had slipped through her fingers like sand, and now, on the twenty-second, she stood at the edge of a precipice. Julian hadn't come home once during that stretch, but that no longer cut her as deeply as it once had. She had grown used to his absence, to the cold silence of their shared home. After today, only eight days remained before her grand escape—eight days until she could finally leave it all behind, including the cancer that gnawed at her from within.
Her work handover was nearly complete. Everything was in place, waiting for the clock to strike the moment of her liberation. Around nine in the morning, her phone buzzed. It was Ethan, his voice warm and familiar on the other end. "Autumn, I'm near your place. Come on out!"
"Alright," she replied simply, her heart fluttering with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
She grabbed her bag and the carefully prepared gift box, then headed out the door. As she settled into the passenger seat of Ethan's car and buckled her seatbelt, he asked, "How much longer do you need to wrap things up at work?"
"Pretty much done. I'll officially be back at the company on the first of next month," she said, her voice steady but her thoughts swirling.
"Got it." Ethan nodded, and the car pulled away quickly, carrying them toward the Lyric Lounge—a vintage building with a distinct charm and a calm, elegant atmosphere that had to be booked well in advance.
As they approached the private room, the door was slightly ajar, and the sound of laughter and animated conversation spilled out into the hallway. Autumn's heart hammered in her chest. She could hear her mentor's voice among the chatter—Edwin Shaw, the man who had trained her so carefully, invested his time and wisdom, only to watch her walk away after graduation to get married. She had let him down, and the weight of that disappointment pressed firmly on her shoulders. Just the thought of his stern face sent a wave of unease through her, making her palms sweat.
Ethan, ever perceptive, noticed her tension and smiled reassuringly. "You don't have to be nervous. Mr. Shaw knows you're coming and that you're returning to the company."
It was like a reassuring pill, but it didn't fully calm the storm inside her. Autumn nodded, though her hands only grew sweatier as they pushed open the door.
Ethan greeted everyone with a warm smile, and the people inside stood to welcome them. And there—seated at the head of the table—was Edwin Shaw, a man in his early fifties with threads of gray visible in his hair. His eyes were sharp, deep, and piercing, landing on Autumn as though they could see straight through her carefully constructed facade.
"Changed your mind?" His voice was steady, carrying the weight of years of experience.
Autumn glanced up, meeting his eyes briefly before lowering her head. "Yes, I have."
Edwin stared at her for a long moment. The silence hung in the air like a suspended note. Then he spoke, his words cutting deep. "You young people always need to hit a few walls before realizing you've lost your way. But life doesn't always give you the chance to fix your mistakes. Time waits for no one, and neither do opportunities. Do you understand what I mean?"
Autumn's throat tightened. She nodded like a pecking chick, a faint ache rising in her chest. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Shaw."
The memory of the past three years flashed before her—how she had thrown herself into marriage, believing it was her whole world. She had missed so many opportunities, wasted so much precious time. And what did she get in return? Scars all over, and cancer on top of it. Looking back now, she could only blame her own foolishness. But fortunately, it wasn't too late. There was still time—time to make up for her mistakes, time to become the best version of herself.
Ethan pulled out the chair next to Edwin for her, and after greeting a few of the senior students, Autumn sat down. Ethan took the seat on the other side of Edwin, pouring him a cup of tea. "Mr. Shaw, one of the senior brothers isn't here yet?"
Edwin took a sip and replied calmly, "He said he had something to deal with and would be a bit late. Told us to go ahead and eat."
The conversation soon shifted to professional topics, and the room buzzed with the energy of brilliant minds. These were Edwin's students—each one a top-tier scientist working behind classified doors for the country. Because of the secrecy of their work, many outsiders misunderstood them, thinking they were idle or unproductive. But Autumn knew better. She was sitting among giants, and she felt both humbled and inspired.
As the laughter and discussion swirled around her, Autumn allowed herself a moment to breathe. She had spent three years lost in a marriage that gave her nothing but pain. But now, she was finding her way back. And even though the road ahead would be hard, she was ready.
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**Reader's Impressions & Star Rating:**
Oh, what a poignant chapter! This one tugged at my heartstrings in ways I didn't expect. Autumn's quiet strength, her guilt, and her determination to rebuild herself—it's a beautiful, bittersweet journey. I love how the author contrasts her past naivety with her present resolve, and the scene with Mr. Shaw was so powerful. His words were harsh but necessary, a wake-up call from someone who truly cares. The atmosphere of the Lyric Lounge, the elite scientists, the shadow of Julian's absence—all of it creates a rich tapestry of emotions.
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
This chapter was deeply reflective and set the stage for Autumn's rebirth. I'm giving it high marks for emotional depth and character development.
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**Next Chapter Prediction:**
I have a feeling that the "senior brother" who hasn't arrived yet might be someone important—perhaps someone from Autumn's past, or even a connection to Julian or the corporate world she's about to re-enter. Could it be that Julian himself shows up, causing a collision between her old life and her new one? Or maybe it's a new ally who will help her navigate the treacherous waters ahead. Whatever happens, I sense a major plot twist coming that will shake Autumn to her core.
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