Chapter 1

On our seventh anniversary, Quinn Archer gave me a soda tab as an engagement ring. At the same time, he bought a luxury condo for his first love.

When I rejected his proposal, he actually had the nerve to criticize me.

"I thought my love for you was something money couldn't buy," he said with a straight face.

"I only bought that place for Rosalind to repay a debt from the past. It doesn't mean I'm still in love with her."

"Elena, your behavior today is beyond disappointing."

I didn't hesitate. I broke up with him on the spot, tossed that stupid metal tab into the trash, and walked away.

The very next day, Quinn stripped me of my position as Vice President of his company.

Then, he publicly announced his engagement to Rosalind.

Five years later, we ran into each other at a high-society charity derby.

He had become a celebrated tech mogul, and Rosalind was draped over his arm in head-to-toe couture.

He looked at me in my stained janitor's jumpsuit, clutching a heavy plastic bag for recycling bottles, and sneered.

"Elena Sterling, when you threw my heart in the trash, did you ever imagine you'd be reduced to picking up garbage to survive?"

I didn't even look at him. My eyes were frantically searching the crowd for my son.

The little guy had seen all the discarded bottles on the lawn.

He insisted that I help him finish his school community service project right here.

Now, I had no idea where he had run off to.

1

In the VIP viewing area of the derby, Quinn Archer stood among a circle of billionaire CEOs.

He looked every bit the elite professional in his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers.

A moment later, his face flashed across the giant jumbotron.

The amount of his donation scrolled next to his name.

The crowd around him immediately started showering him with fake smiles and flattery.

"Mr. Archer, you're so young and successful. Donating three million dollars without blinking an eye!"

"This charity event is hosted by the Thorne family. If you get a chance to meet the head of that house later, don't forget about us old guys."

They all exchanged knowing glances and laughed.

Everyone here was somebody. One more connection meant one more road to profit in the future.

"Mr. Miller, you're the one to watch. With all those industrial projects you have, we should definitely collaborate more," Rosalind chimed in.

The man she addressed, Mr. Miller, turned his attention to her.

He followed her lead and began to suck up to them.

"Of course, we should. And this must be the future Mrs. Archer?"

"Quinn, you're a lucky man. You've got the career and the beautiful family. Do you have kids yet? Maybe we can arrange a marriage for our little ones."

Rosalind lowered her head and gave a shy, practiced smile.

She looked at Quinn with a spark of expectation in her eyes.

"Quinn has been so busy with his career, so we only got engaged recently. We haven't planned for children yet."

Under the weight of everyone's gaze, Quinn's expression stiffened for a split second.

He forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"We've always been committed to each other. Marriage and kids are just a matter of time."

I was actually surprised. Five years had passed, and they still hadn't officially signed the papers.

The day after we broke up, he had turned their engagement into a media circus.

The headlines were everywhere: "What is True Love? After Ten Years Apart, You Are Still My Only Wife."

Another one read: "The CEO's Bride Gets a Diamond the Size of a Bird's Egg."

Their public displays of affection used to haunt every social media feed I owned.

Suddenly, a harsh voice barked from behind me. The man's name tag said he was the Venue Manager.

"What's your employee ID? Who gave you permission to collect trash in the VIP section?"

"The guests here today are elite. Do you think a lowly cleaner like you belongs here? Get out, now!"

I looked down at my dirty hands and my rumpled, oversized uniform.

I realized I definitely didn't look like an invited guest.

I tried to explain quickly. "I'm sorry, but I actually am a guest here."

"I'll leave as soon as I find my son."

The manager covered his nose in disgust, his eyes full of disbelief.

"What kind of guest reeks of horse manure and picks up trash? Leave immediately, or I'm calling security."

I didn't show my frustration, but I sighed inwardly.

I had been feeding the horses with my son earlier, and one of them had literally sneezed all over me.

Out of options, I had borrowed a jumpsuit from a passing janitor.

Seeing that the manager wouldn't listen, I picked up my bag to leave while still scanning for my son.

As I turned, my eyes locked directly with Quinn's.

He froze, his brow furrowing into a deep scowl.

"Elena Sterling? You've sunk so low that you're scavenging for a living?"

The manager was shocked that Quinn knew me and scrambled to fix his mistake.

"Mr. Archer, is this... a friend of yours?"

Everyone's attention was now on us. Quinn let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"A friend? Not even close. Just a woman who used to be obsessed with my money."

The looks from the crowd instantly shifted to pure contempt.

The manager became even more aggressive, reaching out to shove me.

"Get moving! I've seen plenty of shameless women like you. Trying to bag a millionaire? Look in the mirror first."

I stepped aside to dodge him, my face turning cold.

"I told you, I'm leaving once I find my kid. Keep your hands off me, or I'll be the one calling security."

Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a familiar little figure running behind Quinn.

I ignored them and tried to push through the group.

The manager panicked and grabbed me by the collar.

As we struggled, I accidentally stumbled forward, falling right toward Quinn.

My collar loosened, revealing the silk camisole I wore underneath the jumpsuit.

Before I could even find my footing, he pushed me away without a shred of mercy. I hit the ground hard.

"Elena, this attempt at a 'fated reunion' is honestly disgusting."