Eleanor Byrd was hopelessly in love with Declan Laurent, despite the fact that there was another woman in his life. Eventually, she married him, hoping he would love her back. Declan, however, harbored resentment towards Eleanor, as he could not marry his beloved Claire Byrd. Misreading Eleanor's love, Declan frequently retaliates against her, not realizing that Eleanor was, in fact, his first love.