Mr. Fake-Mute's Love Game Ended When I Stopped Playing the Fool novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The next morning, I woke up early. Quinn wanted my homemade buns, so I headed to the farmers‘ market for fresh pork.

When I pulled out my phone to pay, I saw the headline.

Harrington Heir Zeke Harrington Flees Engagement.

My heart skipped.

I was confused. Wasn’t he madly in love with Vivian? So why’d he bail on his own engagement?

Then I shook my head. Why did I care? None of my business.

I grabbed some flower cakes too–Quinn loved those.

Arms full of groceries, I got back to the guesthouse. Sunny was waiting by the door.

And crouched in front of him was a man.

My heart stopped.

Zeke.

Sunny trotted over to me. Zeke stood up, rushed forward, and pulled me into his arms.

“I finally found you, Harper.”

I kicked at his legs, trying to shove him off. He only held tighter–until Sunny bit down on his pant leg and yanked him back.

I stared at him coldly.

“Zeke, are you insane?”

His eyes went red.

“Yeah, I’m insane. You drove me fucking crazy.”

“Why’d you leave without a word? Why’d you make it so I couldn’t find you? Why’d you break up with me?”

He was acting like I was the one who did something wrong.

I looked at him, eyes full of contempt.

“Zeke, don’t you think you’re disgusting right now?”

“Did you ever see me as a person? No. I was just the punchline in your love story with Vivian. You used me to prove how much you loved her. So why shouldn’t this game end?”

“Why are you even here? To tell me you regret it? To show me how devoted you are? Hoping I’ll take you back?”

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Mr. Fake Mute’s Love Game Ended When I Stopped Plaving the Foal

Chapter 7

He said nothing.

I kept going. “Zeke, wake the fuck up. The fantasy’s over.”

I grabbed Sunny’s leash, called to Quinn–who was watching from the doorway.

“Quinn, close the door. He’s leaving.”

Zeke tried to push past. Quinn blocked him. “Mr. Harrington, one more step and I’m calling the cops for trespassing.”

He stopped. Shouted after me: “Harper, I’m not leaving! I’ll wait right here until you agree to see me!”

Pathetic.

Back in my room, I told Quinn everything.

Her eyes welled up. She hugged me tight. “No wonder you were so thin when you got here. Zeke’s a fucking monster.”

“So what’s he doing here? And he ran from his own engagement? Is this some toxic romance novel bullshit where he realizes he loves you after you leave?”

I laughed softly. Quinn had quite the imagination.

“I don’t know. Guess my leaving actually rattled him. I spent so long obsessed with him, after all.”

“He probably just misses his live–in maid.”

Quinn pulled back. “But what if he really did fall for you? Would you forgive him? Go back?”

I looked down. Exhaled slowly. Shook my head.

“No.”

I’d never forget that night–hearing those words, feeling my heart rip in half. Stumbling out of that dark alley alone.

I wasn’t walking that road again.

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