The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 136

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

**Chapter 136**

The air in the room was thick with an almost palpable tension, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Autumn felt a surge of indignation as she faced Oliver, his voice dripping with a sense of entitlement that hit her like a slap. A short, incredulous laugh slipped from her lips, slicing through the heavy silence that enveloped them.

“Am I truly a Lopez?” she shot back, her tone laced with biting sarcasm that reverberated off the walls, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere.

“Remember what you promised? The moment I stepped through that door to marry you, I would cease to be a Lopez. Yet, without a moment’s hesitation, you abandoned me to navigate the chaotic mess that is the Lopez Group, while you frolicked around the globe with Mrs. Lopez. Just when I managed to stabilize the company, you strutted back in, orchestrating a shareholder meeting to oust me from my CEO position. And now, you dare question my loyalty to this family?” Each word spilled from her lips, fueled by a simmering frustration that threatened to boil over, like a pot left unattended on the stove.

Oliver’s expression shifted from shock to confusion, momentarily halting the exchange. “So, do you really believe I am a Lopez in your heart or not?” he stammered, struggling to comprehend the intensity of her rebuttal.

He had never anticipated that Autumn would stand her ground with such ferocity. The shock of her words left him momentarily speechless, his lips trembling as he grappled for a coherent response.

“What shareholder meeting? What ousting?” he asked, bewilderment clouding his features, as if the very foundation of his understanding had been shaken.

Mars, who had been awkwardly lingering at the periphery of the argument, felt a wave of mortification wash over him. The oppressive weight of the Lopez family’s influence felt like a shackle, making him feel insignificant amidst this familial chaos.

Guilt gnawed at him like a relentless predator, a deep-seated fear taking root in his heart. What if Autumn discovered the truth about his infidelity? The mere thought of her unraveling before him sent a wave of nausea crashing over him, a visceral reminder of the fragile state of their marriage.

But this revelation? It was a shock he had never anticipated.

Why hadn’t anyone informed him that the reins of the Lopez Group had shifted so dramatically?

His gaze instinctively flicked toward Lydia, but she was lost in her own world of tears, completely oblivious to his silent plea for help.

Mars’s expression darkened, a simmering fury bubbling just beneath the surface. He turned to Oliver, desperation creeping into his voice. “Dad, what on earth is happening?”

Oliver scratched the back of his head, an awkwardness radiating from him like a palpable force. “What do you think is happening? I was the one who initially gifted her those shares. Now, I’m reclaiming them. Is that really so unreasonable?”

Mars struggled to contain his mounting anger, barely suppressing a curse that threatened to slip out.

Despite the fact that the shares were Autumn’s rightful assets from their prenup, they were still legally married.

Autumn had placed her unwavering trust in him. With just a little negotiation, he could have easily acquired those shares from her at a fraction of their worth.

Now, they were back in the clutches of the Lopez family, and he had just had a fierce argument with Lydia over Hannah. Given their recent spat, it was anyone’s guess whether Lydia would ever be willing to hand over those shares to him.

When it came to choosing between Lydia and Autumn, his loyalty was firmly rooted with Autumn.

After all, everyone had witnessed the unwavering love and support she had shown him throughout their marriage.

What good was Lydia, really? All she seemed to do was create scenes in public places, trying to catch him in the act with his mistresses.

“Dad, why was I not consulted about any of this?” he demanded, frustration seeping into his voice.

His gaze shot a discontented look at Oliver, but being the elder, he ultimately redirected his ire toward Autumn.

“Autumn, you just signed over the shares without a second thought? I’m your husband! Why didn’t you discuss this with me first?”

Autumn scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “And when I was being torn apart by a boardroom full of shareholders at the Lopez Group, where was my beloved husband, I wonder?”

Mars felt his stomach twist painfully.

Where had he been?

At home, drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

And later, in the arms of Hannah.

As he registered the look of disgust on Autumn’s face, it was as if a wave of realization crashed over her.

She had always known Mars to be a scoundrel, but she never imagined he would sink so low as to sleep with Hannah.

Wasn’t that just as despicable as a random one-night stand?

He would jump into bed with any woman who crossed his path. It was revolting!

A wave of relief washed over her that they had opted for IVF during their attempts to conceive.

He could very well be carrying some dreadful STD. If she had been forced to share a bed with him to get pregnant, she might have contracted something vile.

A startling realization hit Autumn; their past struggles with infertility were likely not her fault at all.

For a habitual cheater like him, being sterile seemed like the universe’s appropriate punishment.

It was nothing short of miraculous that he hadn’t already caught something dreadful.

“Still, you can’t just give away the shares like that…” Mars mumbled, still fixated on the stock. “You should have at least consulted me.”

“I gifted you those shares freely, and when I wanted them back, I compensated you just as you requested! Haven’t I been good enough to you?”

“All I’m asking now is for you to look after your own sister! We must keep things within the family. How can you, the older sister, be so selfish?”

Autumn’s patience had reached its limit. She had anticipated the Lopez family would present something new, but it was merely the same old routine: guilt-tripping and twisting the narrative.

“Fine, label me selfish then.”

“Is there anything else?”

Remembering that Owen was waiting for her outside, Autumn felt an urgent need to escape the suffocating atmosphere created by these nauseating individuals.

“If there’s nothing more, I’m leaving.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and strode towards the door.

“Wait, Autumn, you can’t just walk out! Do you have any idea who Mars appointed as the new chief secretary? It’s—”

“Shut up!”

Lydia was so enraged that she was on the verge of revealing Hannah’s name without a second thought. In a panic, Mars lunged forward and shoved her, positioning himself in front of everyone.

Caught completely off guard, Lydia’s head collided with the coffee table, and blood began to seep from the wound.

“Ah—”

**Conclusion**

In the tumultuous aftermath of the confrontation, Autumn felt a profound sense of liberation wash over her. No longer shackled by the expectations of her family, she had finally found her voice amidst the chaos of the Lopez legacy. The realization that she no longer needed to bear the burdens imposed upon her was both terrifying and exhilarating. As she walked away from the suffocating atmosphere of accusations and guilt, a flicker of hope ignited within her. This moment marked not just a rejection of her family’s toxic dynamics, but also a step toward reclaiming her identity and autonomy. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for the first time, she felt empowered to navigate it on her own terms.

Meanwhile, Mars grappled with the consequences of his actions, the weight of his choices pressing down on him like a heavy shroud. His desperate attempts to cling to the remnants of his crumbling marriage and family legacy had spiraled into chaos, leaving him isolated and regretful. The realization that he had betrayed Autumn’s trust and compounded her pain with his infidelity struck him like a thunderbolt. As he watched her walk away, a deep sense of loss settled in, forcing him to confront the reality of his decisions. In that moment, he understood that the chase for power and validation had cost him the most precious thing in his life—Autumn’s love and the chance for a future together. The journey toward redemption would be long, but perhaps, in acknowledging his failures, he could begin to seek the peace that had eluded him for so long.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, tensions will reach a boiling point as the fallout from the explosive confrontation in Chapter 136 reverberates through the Lopez family. Autumn’s defiance has set the stage for a fierce power struggle, and as she attempts to distance herself from the toxic dynamics of her family, the stakes will only get higher. Expect her to navigate the treacherous waters of familial loyalty and betrayal, as both Oliver and Mars scramble to regain control over the Lopez Group and their fractured relationships. With Lydia’s injury adding a new layer of chaos, the family’s already fragile bonds will be tested in ways they never anticipated.

As Autumn seeks solace and clarity, she will be forced to confront her own feelings about Mars and their tumultuous marriage. The revelation of his infidelity looms large, and the question of whether she can truly move forward without confronting the past will weigh heavily on her. Will she find the strength to reclaim her identity and assert her independence, or will the relentless grip of her family’s expectations pull her back into the fray? With new alliances forming and old wounds reopening, the next chapter promises to deliver unexpected twists that will challenge Autumn’s resolve and redefine her path toward peace. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as loyalties are tested and secrets threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew.