# Chapter 161: When the Stars Forgot to Return My Wishes
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 161 of "REMARRIED AFTER I SECRETLY DIVORCED THE CEO" – a chapter that crackles with raw emotions, bitter confrontations, and the painful unraveling of relationships that once meant everything.
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Autumn knew Luna like the back of her hand. The woman was all fire and no substance – quick to anger, sharp-tongued, but utterly lacking in genuine ability. Word had it that Luna barely scraped by with a bachelor's degree, never bothering to pursue a master's after her mother's early death. Aside from that venomous tongue of hers, she was practically useless. Landing a position at Vanguard was nothing short of dumb luck, and everyone knew it. She was the kind of woman who floated through life on men's coattails, and Autumn couldn't stand women like her – leeches disguised as lovers.
But when Autumn arched an elegant brow and challenged her, Luna's mask slipped. "Miss Lewis, and who exactly are you to me? Do you think you know me that well?"
What a joke – a mistress passing judgment on the wife, and without a shred of shame to keep it to herself. Autumn might have stopped caring about Julian long ago, but that didn't give Luna the right to speak about her however she pleased.
Luna's frown was barely concealed before she smoothed it away. To her, Autumn was just a clown – not worth her time.
Then Selena's cold snort cut through the tension like a blade. "Two mistresses hanging out together... no wonder you're both so good at stealing men. Turns out it's a joint operation! What's wrong? Being a mistress isn't something you're ashamed of, but proud of instead? No wonder you're two of a kind. Since you're such good friends, maybe I should give you a nickname – how about the 'Homewrecker Club'?"
Selena had only just discovered that Sophie and Luna were acquainted, and worse, she'd overheard Luna giving Sophie advice on how to trap Derek. The shamelessness of it made her blood boil. She'd marched right up and slapped Sophie across the face without a second thought.
And honestly? It felt incredible.
Sophie's tears flowed freely as she fought back. "The one who isn't loved is the real mistress. Derek hasn't loved you in ages – you're the one clinging to him, Selena. I can't believe how uncivilized you are, hitting someone in public. Do you really think I won't go straight to Derek and have him throw you out, you spiteful witch?"
She had only come to have lunch with Luna, chatting away when this lunatic Selena stormed in like a hurricane. Without a word, she'd been slapped, humiliated, left stunned and shaking. Sophie had never been hit in her entire life, and today it came from someone she'd always looked down upon. The more she thought about it, the more her rage boiled.
Selena's laugh was pure venom. "Go ahead, or better yet, call that scumbag right now – want me to dial for you? Fighting over the garbage I tossed out, turning yourself into a human trash bin and you're actually proud of it? Well, I hope you two stay shackled for life, reach your happy ending soon, and end up childless together."
Scumbag and shameless woman – may they both rot in their own misery. She would never care about Derek again.
Sophie's chest heaved with impotent fury, but when it came to trading barbs, she was utterly outmatched. All she could do was glare.
Luna raised her hand toward Selena's face. "You're just like Autumn – can't keep a man's heart, so you point fingers at everyone else. Have you ever thought about the problem being you? Why is it that others can swoop in later and still do better, easily winning a man's heart? Birds of a feather – both unreasonable shrews. When you can't win, you spew vicious words. That's the mark of the weak."
She thought she knew Autumn after all these years, but now she seemed completely transformed. The way they were acting now, they were no different from street shrews.
But before Luna's slap could land on Selena's face, Autumn caught her wrist, squeezing until bones cracked audibly.
Luna struggled to yank her hand free. "Autumn, let go! You're insane!"
Autumn's eyes swept over her, sharp as a blade. "Oh? So, you hit someone and think you're in the right? You dish it out but can't take it? If I were you, I'd be holed up at home right now, finding the best lawyer I could to see if you even have a chance of winning this case. Not parading around like nothing happened and definitely not taunting your plaintiff every chance you get."
Then Autumn leaned in, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. "You want me to drop the lawsuit, yet you keep mocking me over and over. The nerve. If you're such a cheerleader for mistresses, then I hope one day your own husband leaves you for one. You're welcome."
As Luna clenched her teeth and fought harder to break free, Autumn suddenly let go.
Luna gave a sharp cry and landed hard on her backside. The fall jolted through her spine, and her head clipped the edge of the table. The pain left her momentarily speechless. Autumn had timed it perfectly – letting go just as she pulled back. How infuriating.
The door swung open, and Julian stepped inside just in time to see Luna sprawled on the floor. From his angle, it looked exactly like Autumn had shoved her. His brow creased almost imperceptibly.
Spotting her brother, Luna burst into tears and flung herself into his arms like she'd just been rescued. Pointing at Autumn, she cried, "Julian, you're just in time! She pushed me – I'm hurt! Call the police and have her arrested!"
That wretched woman had dared to humiliate her, leaving her sprawled on the floor in disgrace. And on top of that, she'd sued her. The fury bubbled higher.
Julian walked over unhurriedly, helped Luna to her feet, and fixed Autumn with a dark, unreadable stare. "Autumn, don't you think you should give me an explanation?"
Luna, seeing Julian walk in, hurried over and slipped her arm through his, her posture radiating the smug possessiveness of someone staking her claim.
In the past, no matter how over the line Julian and Luna were, they never flaunted it in front of her. Now they didn't even bother to hide it – standing right there, putting their affection on display.
Autumn's lips curved into a half-smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Explain what? Didn't you see it all yourself, Mr. Carter? Or should I give you a live reenactment?"
Since the masks were already off, she had nothing to hold back. Whatever she said or did, he wouldn't believe her anyway. So why waste her breath explaining to people like them?
With that, she stepped forward toward Luna, who instantly shrank back into Julian's arms. Her voice trembled. "Julian, help me!"
But almost as soon as she said it, she realized how pathetic it sounded. Sniffling, she added, "Julian, look at her. She's so arrogant. I don't even know where she gets the nerve. You have to put her in her place!"
Autumn had deliberately startled her just to humiliate her in public. As hot-tempered as she was, Luna wanted nothing more than to tear her apart. Wasn't Autumn supposed to be all alone in this world? Then where did she get the confidence to act like this?
Selena let out a cold snort, cutting through Luna's lies without mercy. "You were the one who tried to hit me. Autumn only grabbed you to protect me. You pulled too hard yourself – that's why you fell. You're just playing the victim, and you're good at it. Looks like you're a repeat offender – practiced to perfection. Tsk tsk... having fun?"
She'd grown up as a pampered little princess herself, so there was no way she'd back down from Luna's petty provocations. It was obvious Luna was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong, and watching her expression sour further only made her want to laugh.
Julian frowned, about to say something, when the door opened again and Simon walked in, looking tired. The moment he saw Autumn, his hand on the door hesitated, but he quickly recovered.
Autumn glanced at him once before looking away. Seeing him only reminded her of their mother's death anniversary – how they had waited, hoping her two brothers would show up. And the result? Exactly the same as the past two years. Today, Hector had tossed out a few light words, as if that could erase what they'd done.
Simon acted as though he hadn't seen her, striding past to Luna. "Luna, Hector's out at a dinner. I happened to be free, so I came to pick you up."
The sight pulled Autumn back to when she was very young, after a fight with her mother. She'd hidden in a corner and fallen asleep. Her mother had searched everywhere nearby before sending her two brothers to look for her. It was her eldest brother who'd found her first, speaking to her in that same gentle tone.
But now, years later, Simon bypassed her completely to use that voice with another sister.
Maybe they'd long since forgotten who their real mother and sister were. Ever since Luna and her mother moved in, everything had changed.
Her eyes stung, though she told herself she didn't care about them anymore – she only felt sorry for her mother. She tugged lightly on Selena's sleeve and murmured, "Let's go."
Selena nodded.
They had barely reached the restaurant entrance when they ran into Derek, striding toward them in a rush. The moment he saw them, he turned on Selena, unleashing a barrage of scolding.
"Selena, how could you hit Sophie? Do you have any idea how you look right now? Just like a street shrew! You were never like this before. You've clearly been corrupted by Autumn. My advice – stay far away from her. I just don't get it. She couldn't even keep her own marriage together. What on earth could you possibly gain from spending time with someone like that?"
He was already worn thin from dealing with company matters, and for Selena to stir up trouble now was, in his mind, the height of thoughtlessness. He thought back to how she used to hang on his every word, only to see her now stubborn and defiant. Worse, she had even encouraged her brother to move against his company. The very thought made his temper flare.
Autumn hadn't expected his anger to spill over onto her yet again, and this wasn't the first time, either. Did they really think that just because she hadn't struck back yet, she was some harmless kitten?
Her expression hardened as she let out a cold, derisive laugh. "What, did you eat crap for breakfast? You're spewing nothing but filth. Honestly, don't you disgust yourself? So, I can't make a man stay – that's your excuse for cheating, is it? You run off with your precious 'true love,' then expect Selena to be gracious and keep playing the fool. Unbelievable."
Sure enough, scumbags were all the same. Julian and Derek were two peas in the same rotten pod – every bit as shameless as each other. And this particular lowlife happened to be her best friend's ex, which meant there was no way she'd just sit back and watch.
Derek's veins bulged with rage, his words tumbling out in a near incoherent snarl. "You think you're so righteous? You're nothing more than a discarded wife a man didn't want. What's so great about that? You're an orphan with no sense of your place, and once you're divorced, you're nothing."
Selena was seething. She never imagined the things she'd vented to Derek in the past would be twisted into a weapon for him to stab Autumn with. She couldn't fathom how someone could be so shameless and still have the audacity to think she'd ever go back to him. Only if she'd completely lost her mind. At least now she'd seen Derek for what he really was, and just in time. Marrying someone like him would've been a lifetime of regret.
Her temper finally snapped. "Derek, you're disgusting!"
Then she turned to Autumn with an apologetic look. "Autumn, I'm sorry... I only ever complained about you to him a couple of times. I never imagined he was this low. It's my fault, I..."
She rushed to explain, eyes rimmed red, terrified Autumn might never speak to her again.
Autumn reached over and ruffled her hair. "I know. This isn't your fault. I don't blame you."
A scumbag was still a scumbag – their shamelessness always exceeded normal human limits. Selena was a victim here too. How could Autumn possibly hold it against her?
Just then, someone came out from inside. The moment Sophie saw Derek, tears welled instantly. She threw herself into his arms, sobbing dramatically. "Derek, Selena actually hit me! You have to stand up for me! I didn't even do anything wrong. What right did she have to slap me?"
The more she thought about that wretched woman barging in and hitting her without a word, the more the hatred boiled in her chest. Derek didn't love Selena anymore, yet she'd supposedly been clinging to him. At least, that was how they made it sound. It was pathetic and shameless.
Cradling Sophie in his arms, Derek's voice dropped to a deep, accusatory tone. "Is what Sophie said true? Why did you hit her?"
Selena's lips curved into a cool smile. "And if it is? Do I need a reason to slap a shameless homewrecker?"
In a way, she had Derek's coldness to thank – it helped her see his true colors much sooner. Watching him stand there, defending Sophie and demanding answers from her, she felt the last of her attachment fall away. No matter how good they'd once been, from this moment on they were strangers. Separate lives and paths.
"Selena, you...!" Derek ground his teeth, seething.
Sophie stepped in, feigning concern. "Derek, don't be mad. That's just how Selena is. She'll calm down once she's cooled off."
She might as well have poured gasoline on the fire. Sure enough, Derek's expression darkened further. "Selena, I've clearly spoiled you too much. That's why you've grown so arrogant and unreasonable. If you still can't see where you're wrong, then don't bother coming back."
With that, he slipped an arm around Sophie and walked off without a backward glance.
Selena's eyes burned red, her fury so sharp she almost spat curses after them. If those two hadn't had the sense to leave quickly, she really might have torn them both apart. She spat in their direction. "Pathetic. They want me to come back and play the fool, and still have the nerve to act like they're doing me a favor? What a joke."
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**Reader's Impressions & Star Rating:**
Oh my goodness, what an emotionally charged chapter! Every confrontation hit like a thunderclap. Autumn standing her ground against Luna and Julian was absolutely satisfying to witness – she's no longer the doormat they all assumed her to be. The scene with Simon walking right past her to pick up Luna, using that same gentle tone he once reserved for her, broke my heart. You can feel Autumn's quiet devastation beneath her fierce exterior. And Selena finally seeing Derek for the scumbag he truly is – that raw moment of realization was both painful and liberating. This chapter masterfully weaves together multiple confrontations that reveal just how deep the betrayal runs for both Autumn and Selena. The way men in this story keep underestimating these women is going to be their downfall, and I cannot wait to see it.
⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars – Intense, emotionally raw, and absolutely riveting!
**Next Chapter Prediction:**
I predict that Autumn's legal battle against Luna is about to escalate dramatically. Now that Julian and Simon have witnessed her "attack," they might try to use this incident against her in court. But I also sense that Autumn has hidden cards she hasn't played yet – perhaps evidence of Luna's misconduct or something that will turn the tables completely. Meanwhile, Selena's complete break from Derek might trigger his regret, but I doubt it. More likely, he'll double down on his arrogance, and Sophie's victory dance will only make her downfall more satisfying when it comes. The reckoning is coming, and I'm here for every moment of it!
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