Done with Cheater's Coldness Shine in Rival's Arms novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131 I’ll Keep My Place

Finished

She broke down into loud, heaving sobs as she spoke, her voice raw with emotion. It was clear she’d been through hell these past few days.

Peyton stared at her crumpled, bruised form. His patience was already stretched thin, but he couldn’t bring himself to snap at her-not when she’d suffered so much.

For a woman to lose the use of her legs like this? It was a blow that cut deep, a wound to her very soul. He just couldn’t find it in him to get angry.

“We’re skipping rehab today,” he said, his voice softening. “Come with me. Let’s get those cuts on your face cleaned up. I promise they won’t hurt you.”

Peyton’s tone turned gentle and patient, talking to her calmly instead of snapping like he’d wanted to.

Her frantic sobs died down a little, the hysteria fading from her eyes. She always melted when he was like this-warm, caring, present. It made her drop her guard, made her want to pour her heart out to him.

“Okay,” she whispered, nodding obediently. “I’ll do whatever you say, Peyton.”

He helped her to her feet, and together they made their way to the doctor’s office at the rehab center. The doctor cleaned and dressed her facial wounds, but she winced the whole time, like every touch was agony. She felt like she couldn’t take another second of pain.

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“I’m in so much pain, Peyton,” she whimpered, her eyes glistening with tears. “I wasn’t feeling right when I got here this morning, but I never thought I’d fall that hard. I’ll be more careful next time, I swear. I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

That’s what she said, anyway. But the truth was, she always found a reason to call him when he had something important going on. Something that made him drop everything and rush to her side.

He was used to it by now, but even his patience had limits. If this kept up, she’d only get more and more bold, pushing him further and further.

“I heard your engagement is at the end of the month,” she said suddenly, her voice quiet and fragile. “Your family’s already planning everything, isn’t it? I know things will change once you’re engaged. I can’t keep you tied to me forever-not when you’re going to have a family of your own.”

The thought twisted a knife in her heart every time it crossed her mind. She still couldn’t accept it, but there was nothing she could do to stop it.

“I really tried to keep my distance,” she went on, her voice cracking. “Like your mom told me the other day -leave your life, leave this city. But I’ve lived here for years. I’m all alone as it is. I can’t even walk on my own, and I don’t have a single friend to lean on,

“If you make me move to a new city, somewhere I don’t know anyone… I’ll lose my mind. Please, Peyton. Can you talk to your mom? Tell her to leave me alone, Iswear I won’t bother you or Quinn. I’ll keep my place, I’ll stay out of your way.”

She just had to bring up Eleanor’s warning-had to make him see how his mother was “attacking” her, how unfair it all was.

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17:05 Tue, Jan 27 MM.

Chapter 131 I’ll Keep My Place

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Finished

Peyton frowned. He hadn’t realized his mom had been that harsh with her. He certainly hadn’t expected things to escalate this quickly.

“I’ll talk to her,” he said firmly. “You’re not going anywhere until you finish your rehab. And I’m not mad about what happened today. But you need to be more careful from now on.

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“And if you get hurt again? You let the doctors treat you immediately. The sooner you take care of injuries, the faster you’ll heal.” His voice was flat, almost detached.

This routine was getting old. He went through the same motions with her every single time-calm her down, make promises, give her a gentle lecture-and every single time she’d nod and agree, acting like she’d turn over a new leaf.

But it never lasted. The second he left, she’d refuse treatment all over again. It was like his words meant nothing.

“I’ll have my driver take you home,” he said, checking his watch. “Take the rest of the day off. That intensity was too much for you right now anyway.”

There was no point in forcing her to stay after the scene she’d made. Sending her home was the only option.

Wendy nodded eagerly, relief flooding her face. Skipping rehab felt like a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Deep down, she did want to walk again. She wanted her old life back, wanted to be able to run and dance like she used to.

But the thought of walking again terrified her too.

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If I got better… would he leave me for good? Would we have no reason to stay in touch anymore? Would that guilt he felt toward me vanish completely?

Besides, the rehab was pure torture. She’d never known pain like this in her life-pain that made her want to scream, pain that made her want to give up entirely.

So she kept finding excuses to quit. Even if she was stuck in a wheelchair forever, at least she’d have everything she needed. She’d have a roof over her head, money in the bank… and she’d have him. She’d still have a reason to call him, to make him come see her, to keep him in her life.

But now he was getting engaged. And that reason was slipping away fast.

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17:05 Tue, Jan 27 MM.

Done with Cheater’s Coldness, Shine in Rival’s Arms