Done with Cheater's Coldness Shine in Rival's Arms novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Just a Game-I Don’t Mind

“Peyton Reed, I’ll be back in Havenbrook in two weeks to marry you.”

Finished

Curled up on a dark leather couch on the bar’s balcony, Quinn Hart spoke calmly into her phone.

A cold, detached male voice came through the line, “Quinn, if I recall correctly, you called off our engagement two months ago-for your so-called boyfriend.”

Quinn pressed her lips together. Two months prior, she’d planned to bring her boyfriend of seven years. Felix Cole, home to meet her parents.

But as soon as she mentioned it, she learned the Harts and Reeds were arranging a marriage alliance-Peyton was her nominal fiancé.

She’d fought fiercely with her family for Felix, landing her father in the hospital, and even made a bet: she and Felix would be happy forever, proving her choice right.

Yet in just two months, her love for Felix had worn thin amid his constant favoritism toward his adoptive sister, Lila Carter. Especially today-their anniversary-Felix had stood her up to play ambiguous games with Lila at the bar.

Quinn tightened her grip on her phone, her voice soft but firm. “I’ll break up with him.”

“Need me to help?” The man’s tone was sharp, laced with dominant intensity.

“No,” Quinn replied quietly. “I’ll clean up my mess with him—you won’t have to lift a finger. I’ve invested years of work in his company; I need time to get back what’s mine. I hope you’ll wait.”

“Fine. I’ll see you at the airport in two weeks.”

The line went dead. Quinn slipped her phone into her pocket, stared blankly into the distance for a moment, then stood and headed for a private booth on the bar’s second floor.

Loud cheers and catcalls drifted out as she approached. Felix and Lila were being surrounded by a crowd.

When Quinn’s hand touched the doorknob and pushed it open, she heard teasing remarks.

“They’re kissing! Felix even slipped her tongue-no one does it like him!”

“It’s just a drink—why’s he going all out?*

“You don’t get it. The drink’s not the point-Lila is! If she lost, she’d have to pick a stranger downstairs to dance with. Do you think Felix would let her get that close to anyone else?”

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9:57 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 1 Just a Game-I Don’t Mind

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Finished

“But Felix has a girlfriend, right?”

No one in the center noticed her until the door swung fully open. Those near the entrance nudged each other nervously.

Quinn leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching coldly as Felix held Lila tightly in his arms, his large hands lingering on her waist-caressing her with a lewd, possessive urgency. If there’d been a bed, he’d have taken her right then.

“Q-Quinn?” Someone gasped, as if seeing a ghost.

eyes

flew

open.

He locked gazes

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Finished

“What do you mean by that?” Lila’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Felix was just helping me out! I know my place-I’d never do anything with him…” She glanced at Felix, looking utterly wronged, and trailed off.

“Never mind,” Lila continued after a pause, as if swallowing her sorrow. “If my dad hadn’t died saving Felix, I’d never have moved into the Cole Villa. Felix wouldn’t have had to take care of me all these years. It’s my fault for overstepping-my life’s just unlucky. Quinn, I promise I’ll stay away from him from now on. I won’t ask him to accompany me again, no matter what.” Her voice cracked at the end.

The crowd remembered why Lila was part of the Cole family: her father had been killed by kidnappers while rescuing Felix. As his savior’s daughter, Felix’s extra care was understandable. And they’d just been playing a game-Quinn was being petty.

Quinn watched their reactions, her eyes growing colder. She scoffed softly, “You really are unlucky…”

“That’s enough!” Felix grabbed Lila’s wrist tightly, his gaze sharp with anger. “I was just playing a game with Lila-do you have to be so petty? It’s just an anniversary-I’ve celebrated plenty with you!

“Quinn, when did you get so unreasonable?”

Quinn’s fingers curled into fists at her sides.

Unreasonable? My boyfriend had nearly put on a show with his adoptive sister in front of everyone, and I can’t even question it?

Her heart felt like it was being crushed, making it hard to breathe. Disappointment flooded her gaze as she looked at Felix.

Enough. What amI even hoping for?

Quinn forced herself to calm down, then gave him a stiff, polite smile under his furious stare. “You’re right.” She stepped back. “I won’t ruin your party.”

With that, she turned and walked away.