The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 126

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

Oliver’s hand shook slightly as he pointed an accusatory finger at Autumn, the tremor betraying the storm of emotions churning within him. The atmosphere in the conference room was thick with tension, a heavy silence hanging between them like an uninvited guest. He felt the weight of the eyes around them, all witnesses to this unfolding drama, and it stifled his words. He was caught in a whirlwind of feelings, yet the syllables that could have filled the air remained trapped in his throat, refusing to escape. Today had already been a relentless tide of humiliation, and he had no desire to become the punchline of this cruel joke.

Autumn stood her ground, seemingly unperturbed by the tempest of her father’s anger. Years of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations had forged a vast emotional chasm between them, one that she had long since learned to navigate without him. What she had once envisioned as a moment of vindication now left her feeling hollow, as if the very essence of her spirit had been drained away. A profound weariness settled deep within her, a fatigue that seeped into her bones and lingered in her heart. Regret washed over her like a relentless tide, and she found herself reflecting on the years spent ensnared in the web of the Lopez family. If only she had awakened to the truth sooner, if only she had fled this parasitic existence, perhaps the wounds wouldn’t have run so deep. The thought of all the time she had devoted to supporting the Lopez family—this pack of ungrateful, heartless leeches, and that detestable Mars Wright—made her insides twist with resentment.

But those days were behind her now. Soon, she would break free from their clutches, liberated at last to say goodbye to the version of herself that had endured so much pain. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way,” she said, a faint smile dancing on her lips as she turned to face Oliver. “After all, I won’t be part of the Lopez Group for much longer.” Her words dripped with playful mockery, each syllable a dagger aimed at his pride. “Looking forward to that check,” she added, her tone teasing, as if she reveled in the discomfort it brought him.

Oliver’s disbelief was palpable; her casual demeanor nearly sent him spiraling into a fit of rage. That ungrateful brat! She was deliberately provoking him, fully aware that he couldn’t conjure the funds she was alluding to on such short notice. Fine. Just fine. Autumn had shed her old self like a snake discarding its skin, and now she refused to play along with the charade any longer. Although he had technically achieved his goal, the cost had been far greater than he had anticipated. Oliver felt drained, too exhausted to acknowledge the well-wishers who approached him with concerned expressions. He waved them away dismissively, retreating to the sanctuary of his car, where he could make urgent calls to Mars and Lydia.

When Lydia learned that Autumn was poised to walk away with a substantial sum from their family’s coffers, her fury ignited like a wildfire. “Dad, how could you even agree to this?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. The memory of the recent debacle at the auction still festered within her, and she struggled to comprehend how Autumn could have the audacity to not only leave with so many treasures but also to attempt to drain the Lopez family dry. The more Lydia mulled it over, the angrier she became. “Dad, do we even have enough cash on hand to buy out her shares?”

Lydia was blissfully ignorant of her parents’ financial situation. It wasn’t for lack of trying; Oliver was notoriously secretive about money matters. Her mother, lacking any real familial support and possessing zero business acumen, had spent years alongside Lydia, completely reliant on the wealth they siphoned from Oliver and Autumn. While Mrs. Lopez occasionally stashed away a few assets for emergencies, it amounted to little more than pocket change—barely enough to sustain two women accustomed to a life of luxury. Without Oliver’s financial support, they would be out on the streets in no time.

After realizing she couldn’t depend on Mars, Lydia had fully embraced her mother’s strategy. A woman had to learn to secure her own future; money was the only true ally when it was in one’s own hands. So, Lydia deliberately posed the question to Oliver, hoping to gauge his true financial standing. “Well, we have it, but…”

Lydia’s eyes sparkled with hope at her father’s response. “Then what are you waiting for, Dad? I already spoke to Mars—the Lopez Group is thriving right now, and the stock price continues to climb. If we don’t act today, it’ll only get more expensive tomorrow. We’ll lose a fortune!”

Oliver tensed at her words, the weight of her urgency sinking in. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely!” They discussed the matter as if it were merely a game, oblivious to the ethical implications of their conversation. Never mind that Oliver’s daughter had never held a real job in her life and was utterly clueless about the complexities involved.

“Alright, I’ll see what I can do to gather the funds.” Oliver hadn’t lied to Lydia. Though the amount was staggering, even a weakened powerhouse retained its strength. Over the years, Oliver had skillfully hidden away a considerable sum. However, to produce it all at once would require liquidating some real estate—an act he equated to a slow death by a thousand cuts.

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