Done with Cheater’s Coldness, Shine in Rival’s Arms – “Peyton Reed, I’ll be back in Havenbrook in two weeks to marry you.” 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?” “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. Felix’s eyes flew open. He locked gazes with Quinn’s amused stare, his expression turning flustered. He pushed Lila away, pushed through the crowd, and stood in front of Quinn, his voice cold. “What are you doing here?” His unapologetic tone only deepened the mockery in her eyes. Quinn’s gaze drifted past him to Lila’s provocative look, and she smiled, “Did you forget what today is?” Today—their anniversary. Felix’s eyes widened as he realized why she’d shown up.
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. “Lila’s upset today, so I stayed with her and the others. We were just messing around—everyone was egging us on, so I…” “I know,” Quinn cut him off gently. “It’s just a game. I don’t mind.” Felix’s words caught in his throat. He frowned, about to suggest leaving with her, but Lila spoke first. “Quinn, I’m so sorry. I got dumped today, so I begged Felix to stay with me. Please don’t blame him—it’s all my fault.” She stepped forward, holding a drink. “Since you’re here, why not join us? Felix had the bartender make this just for me—taste it.” Quinn’s eyes flicked to the hickeys peeking out of Lila’s deliberately unbuttoned collar, then to her smudged lipstick. Lila was openly provoking her, acting like she was easy to push around. Quinn’s smile widened, sharp as a blade. “Oh, really?” Before Lila could sputter a response, she leaned in slightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How does it stack up against someone else’s boyfriend’s kiss, honey?” The pet name rolled off her tongue like an insult, making everyone freeze—reminding them all of Lila’s awkward position: Felix’s adoptive sister.
Even with that “adoptive” qualifier, they were still family by name, yet they’d just made out shamelessly in front of the whole group. Instantly, the crowd’s stares toward Lila shifted. “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 am I 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. Chapter 2 This Has Nothing to Do With Me Felix didn’t chase after Quinn as she left the bar and got into her car. Instead, her phone buzzed with a casual text—laced with subtle blame, “It’s not what you think with Lila. You owe her an apology for what you did today!” Owe Lila an apology? Quinn’s lips twisted into a sneer as she tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. Little did Felix know, for the past month, she’d been receiving photos of him and Lila: traveling together, posing for couple’s wedding shots, even getting into fights over her. Every time, he’d brushed Quinn off with excuses about business trips or busy work.
But from now on, he wouldn’t need to lie anymore—she was done with him. Quinn started the car and drove back to their house. Once inside, she gathered all the gifts Felix had given her during their relationship: their couple’s photos, videos, and shared journal. She carried them out to the backyard, piled them into a metal bucket, and lit a match. The flames had just flickered to life when a furious shout erupted behind her. “What the hell are you doing?!” A strong hand wrenched her arm backward. She watched as Felix grabbed the half-burned photos from the fire without hesitation. By the time he reached for the rest, the flames were too hot—he burned his hand and hissed in pain.
His anger boiled over. “What’s wrong with you? Lila’s stuck with this terrible rumor because of you, and she’s still telling me to come home and calm you down. But you’re here burning our photos?” He glared at her. “When did you get so childish?” Quinn met his gaze coldly, her voice sharp with mockery. “Maybe I am childish. Felix, we’re over.” She turned to head inside. The word “over” jolted Felix at first. Then he thought of how Quinn had nearly cut ties with her family for him—she’d loved him so much, there’s no way she’d leave over a petty fight. She must be bluffing to get his attention. Confident in his assumption, he followed her and blocked her at the staircase, frowning. “Enough with the games. Forgetting our anniversary was my bad, but tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day—I’ll make it up to you, double.” Before Quinn could refuse, he’d already booked a restaurant and movie tickets. He set down his phone and reached for her, but she stepped back just in time.
“You…” “Felix, have you smelled yourself lately?” Quinn’s cold eyes locked on his. His body reeked of cloying floral fruit perfume—the scent that belonged only to Lila. Felix froze. He sniffed his shirt and frowned. Pulling off his tie and grabbed a clean change of clothes from the closet, he headed for the bathroom. “I’ll take a shower.” Quinn didn’t care. Thinking of him staying at home tonight, she didn’t want to be near him, let alone share a bed. As she gathered her things to move to the guest room, a phone buzzed—Felix’s. Glancing toward the bathroom, she unlocked the screen. His text thread with Lila was filled with vague flirtation. The latest message was a risqué photo of Lila, asking if she looked good and teasing that she was waiting for Felix to “check on her” like he had before. And there, peeking out from her lower waist, was a tattoo of Felix’s name—permanent proof that she saw herself as his.
Quinn dropped the phone and rushed to the trash can, retching violently. Felix, hearing the noise, rushed out of the bathroom. “What’s wrong?” He sounded concerned. “Are you sick? I’ll take you to the doctor.” “Get away from me!” Quinn shoved him hard as he tried to lift her. Her eyes were red, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. Have I ever really known this man? Once, Felix had been different. He’d proudly announced he had a girlfriend to anyone who flirted with him. He’d stayed by her bedside all night when she was sick. He’d even guarded her dorm building all night during a power outage, scared she’d be afraid. Those sweet memories felt like a lifetime ago—so different from the present. Quinn wondered when the man who’d loved her so deeply became so rotten. “You looked through my phone?” Felix’s voice pulled her back to reality.
She met his angry gaze with a scoff. “If you didn’t have anything to hide, why are you so scared of me seeing it?” “Quinn!” He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the wall, his voice icy. “My phone is private! And Lila got that tattoo out of admiration for her older brother—don’t twist it with your dirty mind!” Dirty mind? Quinn’s hands shook at her sides. They’d done something so shameless, so twisted, yet they had the nerve to accuse her? She laughed—so hard that tears pricked her eyes. Felix stared at her for a long moment, then released her. Before he could speak, his phone rang. He answered, and Lila’s panicked voice flooded the line. “Felix, help me! Someone’s chasing me!” “Lila!” Felix’s grip tightened. “Where are you? I’ll come get you—just wait…” “No! Don’t tear my clothes! Please, stop!” There was a final scream, then silence. The call cut out.
After a split second of shock, Felix scrambled to call his team to find her. “Quinn! Where is Lila?” He hung up and glared at her, his eyes filled with hatred. “You can take your anger out on me, but Lila never did anything to you! How could you be so cruel?” Quinn’s gaze turned colder with every word. She sneered, “This has nothing to do with me.” Chapter 3 W-What Are You Gonna Do? “Quinn Hart, there’s a line even for being unreasonable,” Felix snapped, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Tell me where Lila is, and I’ll let the rest slide.” “I said I don’t know where Lila is.” Quinn stared him down, every word sharp. “Her abduction has nothing to do with me.” In the next second, Felix’s hand clamped around her neck. As his fingers tightened, Quinn’s breathing turned ragged, her vision blurring. Just as she neared unconsciousness, a phone rang. Felix let her go. His assistant’s voice came through—they’d found Lila.