The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 81

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

**Chapter 81**

“Did Autumn really say that?”

A wave of revulsion swept across Mars’s features, twisting his expression into one of disbelief and irritation.

For as long as he could remember, Mars had harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Autumn. Her unyielding competence and relentless ambition had always cast a shadow over him, leaving him feeling utterly diminished. It was a constant reminder of his own insecurities, gnawing at his self-esteem like a persistent itch he couldn’t scratch.

If only Autumn had chosen to blend into the background, to be less remarkable, perhaps Mars would have found a way to manage her presence in his life. But instead, her quiet strength and genuine kindness toward him made it all the more challenging.

He had spent years trying to undermine her, both openly and covertly, yet she remained resilient, flourishing in ways he never anticipated. Each of her successes felt like a personal affront, a reminder of his failures.

Now, feeling cornered and desperate, Mars had stumbled into a relationship with Lydia, and he was determined to exploit that connection to his advantage. Yet, as he lay awake at night, guilt gnawed at him after betraying Autumn’s trust. The weight of his actions pressed down on him, leaving him restless and anxious.

In the depths of his mind, he was acutely aware of whom he had to credit for his achievements.

The thought of Autumn walking away from him, taking Cloudbreak Corporation with her, sent chills down his spine. The very idea was unbearable.

He had convinced himself that he was in control of the situation. He could offer Lydia the affection she so desperately sought, while also providing Autumn with the family she had always dreamed of. In his mind, it was a delicate balance—three lives intertwined in a fragile peace.

But how could he have anticipated that Autumn would dare to dream of a life beyond what he had planned?

The realization struck a nerve deep within him, igniting a primal fear. The thought of Autumn usurping his position, of her taking over everything he held dear, was a nightmare he couldn’t afford to entertain. If she truly believed she could take his place, she had to be removed from Cloudbreak immediately.

“Would I lie to you?” Lydia’s voice broke through his tumultuous thoughts.

She averted her gaze, attempting to mask the guilt swirling in her eyes, yet she continued weaving her web of deceit. “My sister has always been ruthlessly ambitious. When Dad first brought her into our lives, she was always trying to outshine everyone. You don’t honestly think she’s kind to me, do you? I’m just the daughter of her stepmother. Who in their right mind would be nice to the woman who ‘stole’ their father?”

“It’s all just part of her act,” Mars muttered, his voice laced with bitterness.

“Look at how she attacked me without a moment’s hesitation!” Lydia exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.

In that moment, Lydia twisted the narrative, cherry-picking fragments of truth to construct a narrative that painted Autumn in a negative light.

If Mars had taken a moment to analyze her words, he would have recognized the inconsistencies in her story.

But his thoughts were a chaotic storm, dominated by the fear that Autumn might strip everything away from him. He was far too consumed with his paranoia to question the validity of Lydia’s claims.

“Dad’s thinking he wants to take back control of the Lopez Group,” Lydia said cautiously, gauging his reaction. “You understand where he’s coming from, right? He’s just looking out for Autumn. I mean, look at her—pregnant and stretching herself thin between two companies. What if something happens to the baby?”

Mars narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. “He wants to run the Lopez Group again?”

“Yeah, it’s not like it was ever officially handed over to my sister, anyway. The Lopez Group is basically the family’s only source of income, and Dad just let her manage it temporarily.”

“If I weren’t so disinterested in business, I’d be entitled to a share of it too,” he replied, his tone dripping with frustration.

Mars studied Lydia intently, searching for any hint of deception in her demeanor. After a long pause, he finally asked, “So this family dinner today… it’s actually a setup?”

Lydia fidgeted, her fingers twisting nervously. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly frame it that way. It’s Dad’s company to begin with, you know?”

Mars’s expression was a mix of contemplation and skepticism.

Given the years he had spent clawing his way up the corporate ladder, he was no longer the naive fool he once was.

Oliver Lopez had abandoned a nearly bankrupt company, gallivanting around the globe with Mrs. Lopez while leaving Autumn to shoulder the burden. She had attended countless networking events, drowning herself in alcohol to save the Lopez Group from collapse.

Lydia’s narrative was riddled with contradictions, yet Mars chose to ignore them, blinded by his ambition.

He realized that his aspirations aligned seamlessly with the rest of the Lopez family’s desires.

As long as Autumn returned to her domestic responsibilities, he would ensure she was treated with the respect she deserved.

Being Mrs. Wright hadn’t exactly been a burden for her. Besides, a newborn needed someone to care for it.

In the worst-case scenario, he could simply increase her monthly allowance.

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