The Langston mansion was wrapped in a disquieting stillness, the kind that suffocated rather than soothed. To the world, Quinn and Leo Langston appeared to be the epitome of elegance and unity, their lives a seamless tapestry of power and privilege. But behind closed doors, that tapestry was fraying. Each cold glance and clipped word drove deeper cracks into the fragile foundation of their marriage.
For Quinn, the act had grown unbearable.
Sophia had always been a part of Leo's life, her presence woven into the fabric of his upbringing. As the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, she had been a fixture at the same galas, fundraisers, and exclusive vacations Leo attended. They had grown up side by side, and her polished charm and sharp wit had endeared her to Leo's family long before Quinn had entered the picture.
When Sophia returned to the city years later, their connection reignited at a Langston Group business event. What started as innocent coffee catchups quickly turned into regular meetings. To outsiders, she was simply a trusted confidante, but to Quinn, Sophia was a looming threat—someone who embodied everything Quinn wasn't in Leo's eyes.
It was late in the evening, and the mansion was quiet except for the faint hum of voices coming from Leo's study. Quinn, on her way to retrieve a forgotten document, slowed as she recognized the voices.
Leo. And Sophia.
"I still don't get it, Leo," Sophia was saying, her voice low and edged with irritation. "Why are you keeping up this charade with Quinn?"
Leo sighed, the sound heavy and tired. "It's not that simple, Sophia."
"Of course, it's simple," Sophia pressed. "You don't love her. You don't even like her. So why not end it? Be with someone who actually understands you."
Quinn's breath hitched as Sophia's words cut through her.
Leo's response was measured, almost clinical. "It's not about love or understanding. It's about fulfilling an agreement."
Sophia laughed bitterly. "An agreement? That's what you call this? It's pathetic, Leo. You're wasting your time—and mine."
Quinn didn't wait to hear more. She turned and walked away, her chest tight and her hands trembling.
The tension simmered all through the next day, and by dinner, it had reached a boiling point. Sitting across from Leo at the grand dining table, Quinn could no longer contain the anger roiling inside her.
"Is something wrong?" Leo asked, his tone devoid of genuine concern.
She looked up sharply, her voice cutting. "Do you enjoy humiliating me?"
Leo frowned, setting down his wine glass. "What are you talking about now?"
"I heard you," she spat. "You and Sophia. Talking about me like I'm some inconvenient accessory in your life."
Leo's expression darkened. "You were eavesdropping?"
"Don't turn this around on me," Quinn snapped, her voice rising. "You think I don't see what's going on? Or do you think I'm too stupid to notice the way she throws herself at you—and you let her?"
Leo leaned back in his chair, his gaze icy. "Sophia and I are friends, Quinn. Nothing more."
Quinn let out a bitter laugh. "Friends don't try to destroy someone's marriage."
"What marriage?" Leo shot back, his tone sharp. "This isn't a marriage. It's a business arrangement. A contract. So spare me the theatrics."
Quinn's face flushed with anger, her hands trembling. "You're unbelievable."
"And you're delusional if you think this arrangement is anything more than what it is," Leo said as he stood abruptly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do."
She watched him leave, her chest tight with frustration and hurt.
The next morning, Quinn made a decision. She could no longer sit idly by while Leo ignored her, while Sophia treated her like an obstacle, while the world believed the Langston marriage was a fairytale. She needed an ally—and she knew just the person.
Michael Lennox.
Quinn arrived at Michael's office unannounced, her determination overriding any reservations.
"Quinn," Michael greeted, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need your help," she said bluntly.
Michael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "This sounds serious. What's going on?"
Quinn hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "I need you to be my date. Publicly."
His smirk widened, but his eyes were sharp. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Leo, would it?"
Quinn sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "It's not just about Leo. It's about me. I'm tired of being treated like I don't matter."
Michael's expression softened, his teasing tone fading. "Are you sure this is the route you want to take?"
"Yes," Quinn replied, her voice steady. "I'm done being invisible in my own life."
Michael studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If this is what you want, I'm in. But fair warning—things like this tend to escalate quickly."
The Langston mansion was silent, its grandeur a mockery of the chaos simmering beneath its surface. For years, Quinn had played the role of the perfect wife—poised, elegant, and obedient to the expectations set upon her. But tonight, as the Langston Group's gala unfolded, she decided the charade was over.
This was the night she would draw her line in the sand.
Quinn entered the ballroom on Michael Lennox's arm, her crimson gown a bold statement against the muted tones worn by the other women. It was daring, almost provocative, with a thigh-high slit that caught the light with every step. Michael, ever the charmer, matched her stride for stride, his tailored suit and roguish grin drawing just as many stares.
Across the room, Leo's gaze locked on her the moment she arrived. His dark eyes narrowed, his hand tightening around the glass of champagne he held.
"Isn't that your wife?" Sophia asked from beside him, her tone dripping with amusement.
Leo's jaw clenched. "It is."
Sophia laughed softly, tilting her head. "Well, it seems she's decided to make a statement tonight. And with Michael Lennox, no less. Bold choice."
Leo didn't respond, but his expression darkened as Quinn and Michael wove through the crowd, greeting guests and drawing whispers wherever they went.
Quinn leaned against the polished marble bar, her laughter light and melodic as she and Michael chatted.
"You've outdone yourself tonight," Michael said, his voice laced with admiration. "Every eye in the room is on you."
Quinn sipped her champagne, her lips curving into a small smile. "Good. Let them look."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Even Leo can't stop staring."
Quinn glanced over her shoulder, catching Leo's dark gaze. She turned back to Michael with a smirk. "Let him. It's about time he sees what he's been ignoring."
Michael leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You know, this game you're playing—it's risky. Are you sure this is about him?"
Quinn met his gaze, her smile fading slightly. "It's about reminding myself who I am."
Before Michael could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Michael."
Both turned to find Leo standing a few feet away, his tone polite but laced with tension.
"Leo," Michael greeted smoothly, lifting his glass. "Enjoying the party?"
Leo ignored the question, his attention focused entirely on Quinn. "A word?"
Quinn raised an eyebrow, her tone clipped. "I'm in the middle of a conversation."
Leo's jaw tightened. "Now, Quinn."
Michael chuckled softly. "I'll leave you two to it. Don't keep her too long, Leo." He winked at Quinn before walking away, leaving the couple alone.
"What exactly are you trying to prove?" Leo asked, his voice low.
Quinn tilted her head, her tone icy. "I could ask you the same thing."
Leo stepped closer, his dark eyes burning with frustration. "Parading around with Michael Lennox? Flirting with him in front of everyone? You're making a spectacle of yourself."
"And you?" Quinn shot back. "Cozying up to Sophia at every opportunity? Or does she not count as a spectacle because you think no one notices?"
"Sophia has nothing to do with this," Leo snapped.
"Don't insult me," Quinn said sharply. "I heard you two the other night. You think this marriage is a burden. An agreement. A contract. Fine, Leo. If that's all it is to you, then I'll act accordingly."
Leo's gaze darkened, his voice dropping. "I never said you were a burden."
"Didn't you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Because that's exactly how you treat me."
For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. But before either could say more, a waiter approached with a tray of drinks, breaking the moment.
"We're done here," Quinn said quietly, turning on her heel and walking away.
The car ride back to the mansion was silent, the air between them heavy with unspoken words.
Finally, Leo broke the silence. "What are you trying to accomplish with Michael?"
Quinn didn't look at him, her tone sharp. "Maybe the same thing you're trying to accomplish with Sophia."
Leo turned to her, his frustration boiling over. "This isn't a game, Quinn."
"No, it's not," she shot back, meeting his gaze. "It's my life. A life you seem perfectly content to ignore until it inconveniences you."
Leo's jaw tightened. "And you think Michael is the solution?"
"No," Quinn said quietly. "But at least he sees me."
Leo didn't respond, and the rest of the ride was spent in tense silence.
As soon as they stepped through the mansion's grand doors, the argument reignited.
"You had no right to involve Michael," Leo said, his voice echoing in the empty foyer.
"And you had no right to treat me like I don't exist," Quinn shot back.
Leo took a step closer, his expression hard. "This isn't about you."
"That's the problem, Leo!" Quinn's voice broke, her frustration spilling over. "Nothing is ever about me. It's about your family, your image, your damn business. I'm just the accessory you parade around to complete the picture."
Leo's eyes softened for a brief moment, but his tone remained firm. "You knew what this marriage was when we started."
"Did I?" Quinn whispered, her voice trembling. "Because I didn't agree to lose myself in the process."
For a moment, the two stared at each other, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air.
Finally, Quinn turned away, her voice steady but laced with sadness. "I'm done fighting with you, Leo. If you don't want this marriage, stop pretending."
She walked up the stairs without looking back, leaving Leo standing alone in the dimly lit foyer.