Chapter 2 (Eleanor's POV)

Henry jerked his arm free from the woman's touch, eyes sharp as he gave her an unreadable glance.

I paused, hand hovering mid-air. My smile tightened. "Seraphina and I are friends too. Is it really that strange for me to show up to her birthday party?"

Henry didn't blink. "No. I just thought you didn’t care much for these kinds of events," he replied. "That’s why I didn’t bring it up."

A cold laugh bubbled up inside me. Was that the real reason? Or had he kept quiet so he could bring someone else instead?

Henry’s gaze swept over the room, scanning for the person who had invited me. It was as if he were daring the walls to tell him who was behind this.

Seraphina caught his eye briefly, then looked away, pretending to be absorbed in something else.

"Hi, you must be Eleanor," a voice cut through the tension. I turned to see a woman stepping forward, a confident smile painted on her lips. "I'm Vivienne. I think Henry’s mentioned me?"

So this was Vivienne. Henry’s first love. The woman he could never forget.

The pain hit my chest like a slap. Three years of love, three years of hope, just to see it all crumble in a heartbeat. No matter how hard I tried to forget, this woman would always be there, standing in my way.

I forced a smile. "Ah, Vivienne. I’ve heard so much about you."

Vivienne studied me, eyes narrowing slightly, as if sizing me up. "Has anyone ever told you we look alike?"

Henry's face shifted, his brow furrowing, the muscle in his jaw twitching. The change was quick, subtle, but unmistakable.

I caught it, my lips curving with something sharp. I met Vivienne’s gaze, my voice sweet but cutting. "Really? I don’t see it. I think I’m prettier."

The air in the room stilled. Whispers floated like sharp daggers between the us. It wasn’t the usual sweet, accommodating me they were used to. No, something had changed.

Seraphina, sensing the crack in the tension, quickly spoke up. "Come on, everyone, let’s sit down."

The conversation died as quickly as it had started, and we all took our seats.

Vivienne handed over a gift, her smile forced. "Happy birthday, C."

Seraphina’s face lit up as she opened the box. "Wow, I’ve wanted this necklace forever! Thank you, Vivienne!"

My stomach sank like a stone. The same necklace?

Seraphina opened my gift next, her eyes widening. "Oh my god, Eleanor got me the same one!"

Murmurs rippled through the group. "Must be a replica." Someone’s voice dropped low, barely audible. "That necklace costs over five grand. Even at a mid-tier firm, it's a bit much for someone like her."

The room went dead silent. Eyes shifted toward me, waiting for my reaction.

I fought the urge to laugh bitterly. $165,000 a year might be impressive in most places, but in Henry’s world, it barely made the cut. To them, I was just another junior associate—no one important. Not one of the elite. Not one of the private equity sharks making millions.

Henry’s expression hardened. "Eleanor, if you needed money for a gift, you could’ve asked me. You didn’t have to—"

"Buy a fake?" My voice was ice, each word cutting through the silence.

His jaw clenched, and the accusation hung in the air.

Seraphina shifted uncomfortably. "Come on, guys," she murmured, trying to smooth things over. "Eleanor wouldn’t do that." But her eyes—her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt.

My chest tightened. I had spent over five thousand dollars on that necklace as a thank-you for Seraphina's kindness. Real kindness, when she had nothing left. Back when she’d been cut off from her family, struggling to make ends meet after running away. That necklace was a symbol of gratitude, not something she could ever fake.

But it didn’t matter in this world.

The moment I'd agreed to my father’s plans for an arranged marriage, my financial situation had changed. $5,000? Pocket change.

"I’ll take the necklace back," Henry said, his voice stiff. "I’ll get you something else, Seraphina. I apologize for this misunderstanding."

Seraphina hesitated, caught between her loyalty to Henry and trying not to offend anyone.

"Give it to him if you want," I said coldly, crossing my arms.

Seraphina reluctantly handed the box back to Henry, her face pale.

Vivienne piped up with a voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Henry, don’t be mad. She meant well."

Henry said nothing, his eyes darker than before.

To break the awkwardness, someone suggested playing drinking games, and Vivienne immediately jumped in, flashing a bright smile.

I, however, was done. I retreated to the corner of the sofa, phone in hand, pretending to scroll through it.

Henry followed, sitting next to me.

I ignored him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

After a beat, he spoke again. "You could’ve gotten something cheaper instead of a fake."

My eyes didn’t leave the screen. "If you’re so sure it’s fake, give it back."

"You’re embarrassing me, you know that?"

I set my phone down slowly and turned to him, staring him down. "How exactly am I embarrassing you? The receipt’s in the box. Want me to call the store and verify it?"

Henry didn’t answer right away. Instead, he checked the receipt, his face softening just a little. "Why didn’t you say something earlier?"

"Wasn’t worth the effort," I muttered, picking my phone back up.

He sighed quietly. After a few moments, he muttered an apology.

I pretended not to hear, though my gaze followed him as he turned back to the group. His attention flickered between the drinking games and—more specifically—Vivienne.

The game continued on, but Vivienne lost a round and, as per tradition, was pressured to drink. I watched as Henry finally stood up, moving towards Vivienne with quick strides, anger flashing in his eyes.

He snatched the glass from her hand before she could take another sip. "Your stomach can’t handle that much alcohol. Are you trying to make yourself sick?"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Vivienne lifted her gaze, defiant. "Why do you care?"

"No more drinking," Henry said, his voice a command. "Anyone tries to get her to drink more, they deal with me."

The others quickly scattered, not wanting to test him.

I watched them, a bitter smile forming on my lips.

Vivienne stood to grab her drink, but Henry held it just out of reach.

She tried to reach for it, losing her balance in the process and falling into his arms.

He caught her effortlessly, his arm wrapping around her waist. "Still so clumsy after all these years?"

Vivienne looked up at him, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "You’re still so annoying, Henry."

Laughter rippled through the group, teasing them, but Henry’s attention snapped back to me, his eyes locking onto my icy stare from across the room.