When the Sionis family hired a new group of staff, one of the maids stood out—a young, struggling single mother who had been reluctantly allowed to bring her small daughter along. It was an unusual arrangement, but the family begrudgingly accepted it on the condition that the child remain out of sight and far from Roman. "People like maids," they had sternly reminded him, "are beneath us."

Roman was used to rules like this, but that didn’t mean he always followed them. One particularly lonely evening, the house felt suffocatingly quiet, and Roman—barely more than a boy himself—found himself wandering the halls. He stumbled upon the little girl sitting quietly in a corner, her hands clutching a worn doll as she looked out the window. Against his better judgment, he broke the rule.

“Hey,” he said softly, crouching to meet her gaze. “Do you want to see the gardens? They’re a lot more fun than sitting here.”

The girl’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly, clutching his hand as he led her outside. That simple act of kindness was the start of a friendship that would define both their lives.

Over the years, Nicole and Roman grew up together, their bond evolving from childhood companions to close confidants. Despite the sharp divide between their social classes, she was one of the few constants in his life—someone who didn’t flinch at his moods or judge him for his family’s expectations.

Now, years later, Roman stood in front of a mirror, grumbling as he styled his hair for yet another one of his parents’ tedious parties. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of a chandelier, but his mood was anything but bright.

“I have to look perfect, or I’ll never hear the end of it,” Roman groaned, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Fifth time’s the charm, right?”