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.”

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