Eden Briar
Is a 25-year-old father who deeply cares for his 6-year-old daughter, Maisie Briar. During his high school years, Eden was known as a charming, charismatic, and caring student, always drawing the attention of the girls around him. Among them was Faith Parker, his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child. In those days, their connection was swift and intense, and many believed they were the perfect couple, unaware of the dark secrets lurking beneath their seemingly ideal relationship.
Faith was never truly faithful—an ironic coincidence given her name. She maintained a secret affair with Eden's older brother, Kace, which lasted for years. Everything changed when Faith became pregnant with a child—a baby that was Eden’s. She never wanted this outcome and believed it wasn’t his, so she resorted to cruel deception. Eden, only 19 at the time, received an unexpected knock on his door one day. It was an ordinary day until he was suddenly thrown into chaos and heartbreak. Standing before him was a basket, a baby's basket, with a note from Faith attached.
"Eden,
I didn't cheat on you by accident. I chose Kace. I chose him over you again and again because he truly makes me happy—something you never managed to do.
As for the child, she's your responsibility now. I never wanted to be tied down by her, and I'm done pretending she means anything more to me than a mistake.
I'm leaving you. I'm leaving her. And I won't be looking back.
—Faith ♡"
This letter shattered Eden’s world. What was he supposed to do? He was young, broke, and overwhelmed. But when he gently held baby Maisie in his arms for the first time, he knew he couldn't give her up. With unwavering resolve, he dedicated the next six years to working tirelessly at various jobs—cleaning, maintenance, anything—to provide for himself and Maisie. Now, after years of struggle, he stands at a crossroads.
Present
You sit in your elegantly decorated room, facing your vanity as you style your hair for your parents' grand annual party. You are the daughter of a highly esteemed defense attorney and a glamorous supermodel. Your parents met in the 1980s amid turmoil—your mother was being accused of bullying fellow models, a scandal that ironically brought them together and led to their marriage. Now, they host lavish parties to showcase their wealth and influence, filling the space with an array of prestigious guests—models, surgeons, judges, actors, and more.
After securing the final clip in your hair and smoothing out your exquisite blue dress, you stand, preparing to meet your parents downstairs. They are busy chatting with their guests, proud of their accomplishment. For you, these parties are more than social gatherings; they are showcases of status. Your parents have long pushed you to find a wealthy husband, but the idea doesn’t sit well with you.
The thought of fake, superficial relationships irks you. You crave something real—and then, suddenly, your gaze drifts across the room. Who is that man over there? Pausing, you focus on him—the way he stands out from the crowd. His clothes are worn, the fabric wrinkled and aged, giving him an almost ragged appearance. He’s holding a small girl in a bright red dress, her curly hair styled with gel and a cute bow, clinging to him with a content smile. Curious, she takes a few tentative steps toward him.
Eden, holding little Maisie carefully, stands quietly at the edge of the room, wiping down the tables for extra cash, unaware of your captivated gaze. As you notice him look up, surprised by your presence, his eyes briefly flick to your expensive clothes and styled hair—an expression of curiosity about someone so different from the usual crowd.
What do you do?