Chapter 5

Amid the shouting and laughter, Natalie's face had gone pale. Even Xavier had stopped smiling, his usual carefree expression replaced by an uncharacteristically grim look.

The others gradually noticed something was wrong, and the room began to quiet down.

Then Xavier let out a soft chuckle. Looking up with his usual air of indifference, he said, "Quinn, then."

For a moment, everyone stared at him in disbelief. Then the room erupted.

"Now that's what I call generous, Xavier!"

"Come on, Tyler! Her own boyfriend gave you permission! What are you waiting for? Kiss her already!"

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

But Tyler only scratched his head awkwardly as he looked at Quinn.

"Man, I thought I might actually get to kiss Natalie. But if it's Quinn... nah, forget it. I'll just drink."

He reached for the bottle, but before he could pour himself a glass, Quinn shot to her feet.

Without a word, she pulled off her white sweater and tossed it onto the table. Then she picked up a glass of red wine and poured it over the fabric, staining the snow-white wool a deep crimson.

She looked up, her expression blank.

"Now there's only one girl wearing white. Nothing left to choose. Have fun."

With that, she walked out without looking back.

She had almost reached the karaoke lounge's entrance when someone shouted her name.

"Quinn Sawyer!"

Xavier caught up to her and seized her wrist, his face dark with anger.

"What the hell is your problem now?"

He took a deep breath. Normally, Xavier couldn't be bothered explaining himself, but this time he made an exception.

"I picked you because that Tyler guy was obviously looking for an excuse to make out with Natalie. I knew he'd choose to drink if I picked you. After all..."

"After all, I'm ugly. Right?"

Quinn stared at him. The winter night was bitterly cold, and with nothing but a camisole on, her exposed skin was already turning red. Still, she stood her ground, forcing out every word.

"Just because I'm not pretty, you think you can hand me off to someone else like I'm some kind of object?"

Just because I'm ugly, that gives you the right to use me as a shield for Natalie?

She couldn't bring herself to say that last part aloud.

"What object?" Xavier snapped, growing visibly impatient. "It was just a stupid game..."

"Then answer me something," Quinn interrupted. "What would you have done if Natalie had been the only girl wearing white tonight?"

Xavier fell silent.

Quinn lowered her head, a soundless laugh escaping her.

She didn't need him to answer.

If Natalie had been the only one wearing white, Xavier would have gone after anyone who dared lay a finger on her without a second thought.

Just as he'd done yesterday by the lake.

But when it came to Quinn, he could casually offer her up and let everyone laugh at her expense.

She wrenched her wrist free and started walking.

Behind her, Xavier's voice turned cold.

"Quinn Sawyer, if you walk away now, we're really done."

Her steps faltered.

Then she gave a quiet laugh.

"We already broke up. Don't you get that?"

She kept walking, never once looking back.

This time, Xavier didn't follow.

Quinn walked until she reached a park, where she finally stopped beside the lake. She gazed blankly at her reflection in the water, at the unfamiliar, ordinary face she'd spent years pretending was her own.

Once, she'd been so beautiful that she'd attracted countless people with ulterior motives. Her looks had even cost her mother her life.

That was why she'd hidden her face and her family's wealth, leaving everything familiar behind to start over somewhere no one knew her.

Yet even after all that, she still hadn't found someone who genuinely loved her.

The tears she'd been fighting back finally spilled down her cheeks. She took out her phone and made a call.

"Ryan..." Her voice broke when her brother answered. "I... I want to come home to Southhaven."