Chapter 1 A life of struggles

The Poor Girl Who Married a Billionaire

The sun had barely risen when Elena Carter rolled out of bed, her body aching from another sleepless night. The tiny apartment she shared with her sick mother was freezing, the heating barely working. She pulled on her worn-out coat, kissed her mother on the forehead, and whispered, "I'll be back soon, Mama."

Elena had been struggling for as long as she could remember. Her father had abandoned them when she was just a child, leaving her mother to work multiple jobs until illness took over. Now, it was Elena's turn to take care of both of them. She worked as a waitress at a small diner in the city, earning barely enough to cover rent and medication.

As she stepped outside, the cold morning air bit at her skin. She tightened her scarf and hurried to the bus stop, knowing she couldn't afford to be late again. Mr. Grayson, the diner owner, had already warned her about tardiness, and losing this job wasn't an option.

At the Diner

The small bell above the door jingled as Elena entered the diner, greeted by the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread. She tied her apron and got to work immediately, serving customers with her usual warm smile despite the exhaustion weighing on her.

"Elena, table five!" called out her coworker, Lisa.

She hurried over with a tray, only to be met with an arrogant-looking man in a designer suit. He barely glanced at the menu before saying, "Black coffee. No sugar."

Elena nodded, though something about him irritated her. There was a coldness in his eyes, a sense of entitlement. She turned on her heel, rolling her eyes as she went to prepare his order.

"He's hot, though," Lisa whispered with a smirk. "Too bad he looks like he doesn't know what kindness is."

Elena chuckled. "Yeah, well, rich people rarely do."

She returned with his coffee, setting it down carefully. "Here you go, sir."

The man finally looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, something flickered in his expression-surprise, maybe curiosity-but it was gone in an instant.

"Thank you," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

Elena simply nodded and walked away. She had no time to entertain thoughts about a rich stranger. She had bigger problems to worry about.

A Day of Bad Luck

The day passed in a blur of orders and dishes. By the time her shift ended, Elena was exhausted. She checked her phone-no missed calls from her mother's doctor, which was a relief. But as she counted her tips, her heart sank. It still wasn't enough.

Sighing, she grabbed her bag and stepped outside. That's when she saw the same man from earlier standing near a sleek black car, talking on his phone. His expression was serious, almost irritated.

Elena paid him no mind and hurried to catch the bus. But as she turned the corner, she bumped into someone-hard.

"Watch where you're going!" a woman snapped.

Elena gasped as her bag slipped from her shoulder, its contents spilling onto the sidewalk. Her tips, the little money she had, scattered on the ground.

"Oh no," she whispered, scrambling to pick it up.

People walked by without stopping, stepping over her coins and bills like they were trash. Tears stung her eyes.

Then, a shadow loomed over her. She looked up, startled, as the rich man crouched beside her, helping her gather her money.

"You should be more careful," he said, handing her the last bill.

Elena blinked in shock. Why would someone like him bother helping her?

"Th-thank you," she stammered, embarrassed.

He nodded and stood, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Do you always carry your money like that?"

She sighed. "It's all I have."

Something in his expression changed, but before she could figure it out, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" she called after him.

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"I didn't catch your name," she said hesitantly.

He glanced over his shoulder, his blue eyes glinting under the streetlight. "Adrian Blackwood."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Elena standing there, her heart racing for reasons she didn't understand.

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The poor girl who marry a billionaire

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