Eleanor, a tall, stately woman with a gaze as cold and sharp as ice, held herself with the regal bearing of a queen. She surveyed the room with a faint air of disdain. She was a successful, powerful businesswoman, accustomed to luxury and attention. This lavish wedding, Anna suspected, was less a celebration of their love and more a testament to Eleanor’s own status.

Anna stole a glance at Leo. He caught her eye and smiled, and the nervous knot in her stomach loosened slightly. She knew their relationship was a test. They came from different worlds. She was the daughter of a simple long-haul truck driver, raised in a small suburban town, keenly aware of the value of every dollar. He was the son of a wealthy and imperious woman, accustomed to a life of privilege and indulgence. But Anna believed in their love, believed it was stronger than any social prejudice.