The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 120

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

**Chapter 120**

As Autumn Lopez settled at the breakfast table, the sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room with a warm glow. Yet, the brightness did little to penetrate the cloud of turmoil swirling within her. She stared at her plate, her fork moving in a rhythm that felt almost robotic, each bite a mere formality as her mind spiraled into a vortex of anxiety and uncertainty.

Across from her, Owen Bennett observed the silence that enveloped them like a thick shroud. His brow furrowed with concern, but he chose to honor her need for quietude, recognizing that sometimes the weight of unspoken words could be more profound than any conversation. He understood that in moments like these, the heart often spoke louder than the lips.

After what felt like an eternity, Autumn finally set her fork down, pushing her plate away. Owen rose from his chair, his voice soft yet tinged with worry. “I think I’ll catch up on some sleep,” he said, trying to gauge her mood. Autumn nodded absentmindedly, her thoughts already racing ahead to the chaos that awaited her later in the day.

Just as she began to lose herself in her swirling thoughts, her phone buzzed sharply, slicing through the fragile peace she had been attempting to cultivate. The name that flashed on the screen sent a jolt of panic through her: Andrew Foster. A former shareholder of the Lopez Group, his call was both unexpected and unwelcome. “Mr. Foster?” she answered, her voice betraying her surprise, the words tumbling out with an urgency she couldn’t quite mask.

Andrew Foster was a name steeped in the complicated history of her family—a man who had once wielded considerable influence in the business world, known for his vocal criticisms of her father, Oliver Lopez. His departure years ago had left a gaping void, one that she had almost forgotten, but now it felt like a storm was brewing on the horizon, threatening to unleash chaos.

“Did you not know I was back?” His incredulity rang clear through the phone, and Autumn felt a wave of confusion wash over her. “I just flew in for a shareholders’ meeting,” he continued, his tone both accusatory and surprised.

“Meeting? What meeting?” she stammered, her heart racing at the implications of his words. How could she have been left in the dark about something so crucial? The anxiety clawed at her insides, and she felt the familiar pang of shame creeping in, tightening its grip around her heart.

Andrew’s voice remained steady, but the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. “You really didn’t know? It’s scheduled for today, and I assumed you’d be prepared for it.”

A wave of realization crashed over her. She had been blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within her own company. “Who called the meeting?” she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

“It was Assistant Bell from the Executive Office,” he replied, and the name sent a shiver down her spine. Assistant Bell had been her father’s confidant, a man she had trusted implicitly. Yet here he was, orchestrating a meeting without her knowledge, leaving her feeling like a mere spectator in her own life’s work.

“Unbelievable,” she scoffed, frustration bubbling beneath her calm facade. “So, you’ve arrived in Grand City, Mr. Foster?”

“Yes, just touched down. I thought it was important to reach out to you first,” he explained, his voice softening slightly, as if trying to mend the rift that had formed.

“Your health isn’t what it used to be, and I’m still in recovery. I can’t handle any major shocks right now,” she replied, her tone steady but laced with tension.

Andrew chuckled softly, “It’s been years, Autumn. You’ve matured.”

At his words, a mixture of pride and bitterness welled up within her. Maturity was a double-edged sword; it came with the burden of choices that weighed heavily on her conscience. “It was about time,” she replied curtly, unwilling to delve deeper into the regrets that hovered over her like a dark cloud.

The conversation came to an abrupt end, and as Autumn hung up the phone, a deep sigh escaped her lips, trying to suppress the storm of emotions raging within. The audacity of her family astounded her; she never imagined they could orchestrate something so significant behind her back.

“Ma’am,” a gentle knock at the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts. Autumn tucked her phone away and called out, “Come in.”

Mrs. Turner entered, her brow furrowed with concern as she assessed Autumn’s pale complexion. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Autumn waved her hand dismissively, “I’m fine.”

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