He used to be just a kid asking for a chance—
But no one ever gave it to him.
Eden Crowe, a brown-eyed young boy, was warm-hearted, always helping others.
He was kind, gentle, and cared deeply for everyone.
But his eyes... always looked empty.
Eden had lost his father at a young age.
He lived with only his mother in a small town.
His mother was seriously ill.
But Eden never left her alone—not even once.
After school, he would rush home just to take her to the hospital.
But because his mother used to be an alcoholic,
she couldn't help but lash out at her own son.
Eden had grown used to her behavior.
He'd been treated this way since he was little.
He never questioned it.
Never blamed the heavens.
Never cursed fate.
Even though all he'd ever faced in life… was pain.
"Mom, let me take you to the doctor."
Eden tried to help his mother up from the bed.
"Stay away from me!"
Natalie shoved her son's hand away and snapped at him.
"I'm sorry, Mom..."
Eden lowered his head and quietly walked out of her room.
He sat outside the house, staring into the distance.
A thought crept into his mind:
If Mom's not here... I wouldn't survive.
Because no matter what happened,
the only love that ever meant anything to him
was hers.
Even when she hurt him with her words,
Eden never got angry.
Never once raised his voice.
But something… felt strange.
And what was that strange feeling exactly?
After calming himself down,
he walked back to her room again.
"Mom..."
Eden called her softly,
as if behind that door,
she was staring coldly back at him.
"Go run your errands or go out somewhere—I don't care!"
Natalie's voice was harsh and irritated.
Eden was a quiet, shy kid.
But he had three close friends who truly cared for him.
They never bullied him,
never spoke badly about him,
never betrayed him.
And Eden knew how much they loved him.
He cherished that.
That day, he decided to visit the friend he was closest to first: Kylie.
"Hey, Kylie... Want to go out for a drink?"
Eden blushed slightly as he spoke.
He had secretly liked her for a long time.
"Did you invite Noah, Vel, and Elias Grey yet?"
Kylie asked curiously.
She always noticed Eden came to her first.
"No need to call them! Haha. Speak of the devils—hey, guys!"
Eden waved to Noah and Elias as they approached.
"Eden, man... You've liked her for ages.
Why haven't you just told her already?
If it were me? I'd have gone for it ages ago!"
Elias teased him,
playfully but with genuine friendship in his voice.