The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 75

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

**Chapter 75**

As Autumn absorbed her father’s words, a familiar thought flickered in her mind: Here we go. The moment had arrived, and her parents were clearly preparing to make their move.

That duo, with their lack of genuine skill, had a knack for turning every interaction into a complicated affair. Her mother, a master manipulator, wore a sweet smile that belied her venomous nature, while her father, a total pushover, exhibited favoritism so overt that it bordered on absurdity.

If only he had possessed even a shred of competence, perhaps his shortcomings could have been overlooked. But combined with his infuriating arrogance, it was a recipe for disaster. The rapid decline of the Lopez Group could likely be traced back to his personality flaws.

Initially, he had attempted to salvage the company, but he quickly found himself outmatched by the demands of the situation. Eventually, he had simply dumped the entire debacle into Autumn’s lap and whisked her mother away on a whirlwind tour of the world, seeking pleasure and leisure without a second thought.

When Autumn first took the reins of the Lopez Group, the weight of the responsibility had nearly crushed her. In a moment of desperation, she had reached out to her father, hoping he would return to support her in this trying time.

Instead, he had casually dismissed her plea, claiming he was too old to handle such stress and hard work. His parting words echoed in her mind: as long as the company didn’t go bankrupt, it was a victory. He had faith in her abilities, proclaiming that she could work miracles.

And when, against all odds, Autumn did achieve a miracle, her father’s praise had been half-hearted at best, a mere token gesture that left her feeling even more isolated.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately,” Autumn admitted, her voice tinged with fatigue. “Being pregnant complicates everything.”

It wasn’t fear of her family that held her back; it was the desire to avoid the entanglements that had caused her so much pain in the past. Her own venture was quietly thriving behind the scenes, still small enough to fly under the radar. No one would suspect that this burgeoning startup belonged to her, Autumn Lopez.

She had grown weary of investing her emotions in people who would ultimately betray her. Her heart had hardened, encased in a protective shell, and she resolved never to compromise for anyone again.

“What kind of attitude is that?” her father snapped, irritation flaring up as it often did.

But just as quickly, he seemed to recall the need for diplomacy, his tone softening. “I’ll have someone pick you up. You won’t have to lift a finger, I promise.”

“Autumn, we’re family, after all. Let’s not make this any more complicated than it needs to be. What do you say?”

Her expression remained inscrutable, a blank mask concealing the storm of emotions roiling within her. The persistence in his voice hinted at a deeper desire for her return, and she knew him well enough to realize he wouldn’t relent until he got what he wanted. If she turned him down today, he would simply try again tomorrow, and the day after that.

“You want me to come alone? I’ll bring Mars with me.”

Autumn felt a surge of confidence; she was certain that Mars wouldn’t dare to openly side with Lydia in her presence. His presence would likely temper her father’s approach, making him think twice before attempting anything untoward.

Her concerns were not for herself but for the baby. She had witnessed her family’s utter lack of shame throughout her life, and she couldn’t afford any missteps during this crucial period.

“Sure, why not?” she replied, surprised by how quickly her father agreed.

“Mars is our son-in-law. It’s perfectly fine for him to join us for a meal,” he stated, as if sealing the deal.

“Then it’s settled. You bring Mars with you, and we’ll have a nice family dinner.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he hung up, leaving Autumn staring at her phone, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions swirling inside her.

Meanwhile, Lydia had a meltdown upon seeing Autumn’s Facebook post.

Her instinct was to confront Mars, but her mother intervened just in time.

“The more you clash with Mars, the more you’re just pushing him closer to that witch, Autumn,” her mother warned.

“Can’t you see? Autumn is using your own tactics against you,” she added, a knowing glint in her eye.

Lydia froze, processing the revelation. “She’s copying me?”

“They’re married. All she has to do is play the damsel in distress, and Mars will naturally gravitate toward her. Look at you. You’ve always boasted about how to handle men, yet here you are, getting played by him.”

Reflecting on her past, Lydia realized the truth in her mother’s words. Once, it had been Mars chasing her, utterly captivated by her charm. Now, she found herself constantly initiating contact, and he appeared increasingly annoyed by her advances.

“See? Men are masochists. The kinder you are, the more they take you for granted. Your father is already scheming to invite Autumn over for dinner. When the moment arrives, we’ll execute our plan…”

“It’s not convenient,” she replied, her tone clipped.

Mars’s expression fell at her words. “Autumn, we’re husband and wife, regardless of our current situation,” he said, his disappointment palpable. “I didn’t protest when you came to my company and started asserting your influence as the boss’s wife. How long are you going to hold onto this anger? I’m trying my best to make amends; do you really need to keep resisting me?”

Autumn shot him a sidelong glance, her heart heavy with the weight of their reality.

Deep down, she recognized that Mars was cut from the same cloth as her family. They all shared an inherent selfishness, an unwavering focus on their own needs.

The moment things didn’t go their way, they would turn against you without hesitation.

In the past, Autumn might have blamed herself, questioning whether she had erred in some way.

But now, she understood the truth: these people were so accustomed to being the center of their universe that dissent triggered an immediate and fierce reaction.

Why should she continue to cater to their whims?

Besides, the divorce papers were almost in her hands. After that, they would be nothing to her.

Why should she endure their demands any longer?

“You want to live with me? Are you planning to take care of me?”

Autumn didn’t directly answer his question. Instead, her expression hardened as she continued, “I’ve hired five nutritionists to ensure that my meals provide all the nutrients I need for both myself and the baby.”

“I’ve also engaged a housekeeper to maintain the house and ensure that nothing poses a risk to me or the baby.”

“And a driver takes me to and from work.”

As she spoke, Autumn felt a sense of empowerment. She was no longer the vulnerable young woman she had once been; she was a mother now, fiercely protective of her child and her own well-being.