Chapter 1

Elvira Rice was the most beautiful woman in Akanden.

At twelve, a blurry profile shot of her took the city by storm, leaving everyone breathless at her beauty.

But it wasn't just her looks that made people envious. Her prestigious family and her childhood sweetheart, Eden Becker, who matched her in every way, were just as enviable.

On her birthday, Eden pulled out all the stops just to see Elvira smile. He bought every flower in Akanden and filled a theme park castle built just for her.

When Elvira got injured while skiing, Eden took several flights just to reach her side as fast as he could.

They were so well-matched that people couldn't help but ship them. Some fans even started a club just to support their relationship.

But then, disaster struck. The Becker family fell apart in an instant, and Eden's parents, Ford and Noelle Becker, both took their own lives. Eden was soon left all alone.

Everyone was wondering if Elvira would dump Eden then.

However, she went ahead and married Eden, who was penniless at the time.

Elvira, the pampered heiress who'd never so much as washed a dish, started learning to cook and tagging along with Eden to business dinners and meetings.

Her Hermès bag, once packed with high-end makeup, was crammed full of drafts they'd pulled all-nighters to finish together.

She stood by Eden through every high and low, from having it all to losing everything, and then clawing their way back to the top.

When the Becker family's mansion was bought back, Elvira thought happiness was just around the corner.

But then, out of nowhere, a woman suddenly appeared before Elvira's eyes, turning her world upside down.

*****

The first time Elvira had ever met Claire Wheeler, she was hugging Eden's suit jacket to her chest as she offered it to Elvira.

"Elvira, it's been a while," Claire greeted her.

Her features were so bland and forgettable that Elvira found herself staring, trying to remember where she'd seen her before.

Suddenly, Elvira's mind clicked. she finally remembered.

"Miss Five Bucks?" Elvira blurted out.

Back in school, when Claire didn't have money to buy food, Eden had paid five bucks for her lunch.

After that, Claire paid him back by running errands and doing chores for him.

Eden's friends started calling her Miss Five Bucks as a joke.

Elvira had called them out for it.

But honestly, Elvira never really registered Claire in her memory. Claire was just that unremarkable.

Her name just wouldn't come to Elvira, no matter how hard Elvira tried.

Claire, standing across from her, instantly went pale.

She was about to say sorry, but before she could get the words out, Eden said from behind, "She has a name. It's Claire Wheeler."

His large hand reached out from behind and pushed the door open wider.

Eden's face was expressionless, but there was a clear note of annoyance and blame in his voice.

Elvira watched as Eden, with practiced ease, took the jacket back from Claire's arms. After giving Claire a quick glance, Eden finally spoke up.

"Why would you come all the way out in the rain just to bring a jacket? You really haven't changed at all. You are still as stubborn as ever, even after all these years," Eden said.

Claire just blushed and smiled quietly, her eyes lowered.

Elvira just stood there on the side.

For the first time, she took a good look at Eden.

The second time Elvira saw Claire was in Eden's office.

Elvira was searching for a document for Eden, who was out of town on a business trip, but no matter how hard she looked, she just couldn't find it.

Suddenly, Claire walked in. After hearing what Elvira was looking for, she pinpointed the exact file Eden wanted in under a minute.

The door to the lounge was slightly ajar.

Claire moved around as if she were right at home, scooping up Eden's socks from the floor and grabbing the boxers folded on the bed, heading off to wash them like it was the most natural thing in the world.

She seemed more like Eden's wife than Elvira did.

Once she was done with the laundry, Claire jumped in and volunteered to deliver the file for Elvira.

"Everyone at the new building knows me. I can just walk right in and get the file to Eden faster," Claire said.

Elvira looked at Claire's hand, but didn't hand over the document.

She set the folder upright on the desk, her arm hovering over it, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked at Claire.

"That five bucks Eden spent on you back then was really worth it!" Elvira said.

Claire's smile instantly froze.