Chapter 3

The grand foyer of the Quinn mansion felt less like a home and more like a mausoleum. The hushed silence, the opulent furniture, the disapproving stares of the family portraits lining the walls – it all pressed down on me. My father, Edmond, sat in his usual armchair, a crystal glass of scotch in his hand. Beside him, Charlie, perfectly coiffed and dressed in a demure silk robe, radiated an aura of serene superiority. My stepmother, Eleanor, a woman whose smile never quite reached her eyes, sat opposite them, clutching a delicate teacup.

Their gazes converged on me, heavy with judgment, as I walked in, still in my club clothes.

"Hayden," my father said, his voice a low growl, "do you know what time it is? And what on earth are you wearing?"

I didn't answer. I just walked past them, my head held high, towards the grand staircase. Each step was a defiance.

"Hayden," Charlie's voice, sweet and cloying, stopped me. "Is it true? About the engagement?" Her eyes, however, held a predatory gleam, already imagining herself in my place.

I turned slowly, a smirk playing on my lips. "What, Charlie? Are you worried your 'beloved' Griffin might be left without a bride? Don't worry, I'm sure he'll appreciate a hand-me-down."

Her face flushed, but before she could retort, my father intervened. "Hayden! That's enough. Griffin Cooper is a catch. The Cooper family is one of the oldest and most respected on Wall Street. This alliance secures our future. You are being reckless and foolish."

"Reckless? Foolish?" I scoffed. "Or perhaps, finally, free? I've made my decision, Father. And I don't regret it."

Eleanor, my stepmother, finally chimed in, her voice coated in condescending sweetness. "Oh, Hayden, dear, one day you'll realize the sacrifices we make for family. For stability. Some of us understand our roles. But then again, you've always been so... flighty. I wonder who will ever truly tolerate your wildness." Her words were a thinly veiled jab, reminding me that in their eyes, I was worthless without a powerful husband.

A cold rage, sharp and sudden, pierced through me. "And some of us," I retorted, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "understand how to crawl their way into a position they don't deserve. You and your precious daughter are two peas in a very rotten pod."

My father's face turned a furious shade of red. "Hayden Quinn! Go to your room! Now!"

I didn't argue. There was nothing more to say. I turned and ascended the stairs, the echoing silence of the house a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.

The next morning, Griffin was at the door, precisely at 9 AM, as if summoned by a corporate memo. He stood there, impeccably dressed, a folder tucked under his arm.

"Your self-reflection, Hayden," he said, his voice flat, his eyes demanding.

I leaned against the doorframe, still in my pajamas, a coffee mug in my hand. "Oh, that? Sorry, I must have misplaced it. Or perhaps I just didn't feel like writing it."

His jaw tightened. "Hayden, this is not a game. You made a public spectacle last night. You are my fiancée. You will show me the respect I deserve."

"Respect?" I laughed, a genuine, unforced laugh this time. "Respect is earned, Griffin, not demanded. And I don't give a damn about your rules. This is me. Take it or leave it. I'm not changing for anyone."

Just then, Charlie appeared at the top of the stairs, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. She descended gracefully, a demure white envelope in her hand. "Griffin, darling," she cooed, her eyes darting to me with a triumphant glint. "Hayden seemed a little... occupied last night, so I took the liberty of writing her apology for you. I tried to capture her remorse, though she can be rather stubborn."

Griffin took the envelope, his gaze lingering on Charlie for a moment, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. He unfolded the letter, scanning the perfectly penned sentences. Then, he looked at me, a flicker of disappointment in his dark gaze. "See, Hayden? This is what maturity looks like. This is responsibility."

My stomach churned. He actually believed her. He was comparing me to her.

"Regardless," Griffin continued, "there's a corporate gala tonight. You will be there. With me. As my fiancée."

"No," I said, my voice firm. "I won't. Why don't you take Charlie? She's clearly more suited to play the part of your perfect corporate wife."

His eyes hardened. "You are my fiancée, Hayden. You will be by my side."

In that moment, I saw it clearly. It wasn't about me. It was never about me. It was about possession, about control, about the image he had meticulously crafted. He didn't love me. He loved the idea of me, the idea of what I should be.

Charlie, seizing the opportunity, stepped forward. "Griffin, if Hayden isn't feeling up to it, I'd be honored to accompany you. I know all the right people, and I promise not to embarrass you." She then turned to me, her voice dripping with faux concern. "And Hayden, dear, don't forget the Quinn family rules. We always present a united front." She reached out, her hand brushing my arm, then she grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the stairs. "Come on, let's go find you something appropriate to wear. You can't show up in that."

I yanked my arm away. "Don't touch me," I hissed, my eyes narrowed. "You manipulative little snake. You think you've won, don't you? You think you can just waltz in and take my life, my fiancé, everything?"

Her sweet smile returned, chilling me to the bone. "Oh, Hayden. I'm not taking anything. You're just... letting go. And frankly, Griffin deserves someone who wants to be by his side. Someone who understands the importance of family, of reputation."

"You disgust me," I spat, my voice laced with venom. "You and your pathetic ambition. You'll never be me. You'll always be the cheap imitation, picking up my scraps."

She laughed, a high, tinkling sound that grated on my nerves. "Oh, Hayden, you're so dramatic. But who needs to be 'you' when I can have Griffin? And everything else that comes with him. Perhaps you should worry about your own future, darling. Because without Griffin, what are you?"

My hands clenched into fists. "I'm free," I whispered, the word a promise. "And you, Charlie, you'll choke on your ambition. Mark my words."

Hayden POV: