The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 106

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace – by Rohan Verma**
**Chapter 106**

Mars Wright opened his mouth, his intentions to articulate a response bubbling just beneath the surface, yet the words remained trapped, unspoken, and lifeless on his tongue.

Lydia Lopez was on the verge of an emotional eruption.

Since when did Autumn become an insurmountable obstacle in their relationship?

From the very start, Lydia had never considered Autumn a formidable competitor; she was merely a fleeting thought, a shadow in the backdrop of her and Mars’s connection.

Her eyes, once bright with affection, now glinted with venom, but just as swiftly, her expression transformed into one of innocent vulnerability, masking her inner turmoil.

“If you’re thinking about my sister this much, maybe you should just go find her,” she declared, her voice laced with a hurt that felt all too real. “It was my mistake to think I could ever come between you two. Just go. And for the record, don’t bother looking for me again.”

Those words struck Mars like a thunderbolt, jolting him back to reality. Without a second thought, he rushed toward her, wrapping his arms around Lydia in a protective embrace. “Hey, come on! I was just trying to express myself. Do you really have to make such a scene?”

It took a full fifteen minutes of soft kisses and sweet, soothing words for Lydia’s stormy heart to calm.

As they ascended the stairs, their fingers intertwined, clinging to each other as if afraid to let go, Lydia began to sift through a collection of gowns. “You owe me for all of this, you know. I’m buying every single piece!” she proclaimed with an air of haughtiness, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

Mars, eager to keep her spirits high, nodded enthusiastically. “Alright, alright, we’ll buy them all.”

At that moment, a radiant smile blossomed on Lydia’s face, illuminating the room.

She selected a few exquisite pieces of jewelry to complement her gowns. When the time came to settle the bill, Mars nonchalantly handed over his credit card, confidence radiating from him.

“I’m sorry, sir, but this card has insufficient funds,” the cashier announced, her tone devoid of empathy.

She scrutinized Mars with a critical eye as she delivered the news. Although he looked the part of a wealthy man, she suspected he was merely a pretender, all show with no substance.

Mars felt a wave of disbelief wash over him.

“How can there be insufficient funds?” he muttered, confusion etched across his face. Autumn had always been generous, often reminding him that he was the face of the company. The credit limit on that card had been substantial; he could spend freely without a second thought.

How could it possibly be empty now?

“Sir, it is indeed showing insufficient funds,” the cashier reiterated, her patience wearing thin.

She turned the display screen toward him, and Mars’s cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.

“Let me try a different card,” he said, desperation creeping into his voice.

He fished out another card, heart pounding in his chest.

“Still insufficient funds,” the cashier replied, her gaze now laced with suspicion.

She eyed him warily, as if anticipating that he might bolt with the clothes. The store’s security guard casually positioned himself near the exit, a silent sentinel on watch.

The entire situation felt like a spotlight shining directly on Mars, leaving him feeling exposed and humiliated.

He hadn’t faced such treatment since stepping into the role of CEO at Cloudbreak.

“What’s going on?” Lydia approached, a few more items in her hands, sensing the tension thickening at the checkout counter. A knot of unease began to twist in her stomach.

“I forgot my other cards. Lydia, could you possibly pay for it first?” he asked, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

Lydia’s composure shattered in an instant. “What? Weren’t you the one who said you were taking me shopping? Now you want me to foot the bill?”

Her voice pierced the air, sharp and accusatory, and Mars felt his face darken in response.

“I… I didn’t mean it like that…” he stammered, realizing the gravity of the situation. But seeing the storm brewing in her eyes, he quickly added, “But I didn’t bring any money either…”

“Mars, can’t you come up with something?”

Lydia felt a swell of resentment; she hadn’t received much from Mars lately, and this was her moment to make him splurge, to bolster her own little stash. There was no way she would dip into her own funds.

After all, if she paid for it, who was to say Mars would ever reimburse her?

Mars felt the weight of despair settle on his shoulders.

He had exhausted all his options.

“Why don’t you ask my sister?” he suggested, though the thought gnawed at him.

Lydia knew Autumn had money. If Mars used Autumn’s funds to buy things for her, it would feel like a victory.

“I can’t ask her!”

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