Samantha Carter has always fought hard, balancing university studies with caring for her sick mother while learning not to trust easily. When she meets Jake Dawson, a kind but troubled friend, she finally opens her heart. Their friendship blossoms into a deep love full of hope for the future. But everything changes when pressure from his family and Julia Blake's romantic obsession force Jake to leave Samantha, leaving her heartbroken and alone. In her deep pain, Samantha searches for healing and finds comfort with Gabriel, a gentle and caring man who seems to offer her a new beginning. For a while, she believes that love can mend her wounded heart. But when Gabriel suddenly pulls away with a harsh letter, she is left wondering if she is chasing love as an escape from her past or if it might lead to a better future. At the same time, a long-hidden secret is revealed that will change everything. Ronald William, a billionaire heir living in luxury, is Brandon Carter—Samantha’s long-lost brother, who was stolen from their family as a child. As his true identity comes to light, his decision to unite with his family becomes a threat to his possession. When love, loyalty, and deceit collide, the price is higher than anyone ever imagined.
Lihat lebih banyakNathan spotted his daughter outside with a guy through the window. He nodded repeatedly, and he held his peace waiting for her to come inside.
“Dad, good evening,” Samantha said gently as she stepped into the living room, her voice calm. “Good evening,” Nathan replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And who was that you were talking with outside?” Samantha hesitated for a moment, then answered, “He’s just a friend, Dad.” Nathan leaned forward, his tone sharpening. “A friend? After everything I’ve told you? After all my advice? Why do you keep making friends with these broke boys who have nothing to offer?” Samantha looked down, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. “I’ve told you over and over again,” Nathan continued, his voice rising with frustration, “you need to shine your eyes on that campus. That school is not just any school — it’s a place filled with the sons and daughters of millionaires and billionaires. People with real opportunities. And instead of connecting with those who could help shape your future, you choose the opposite.” He shook his head slowly, disappointment etched across his face. “It’s like poverty has sunk into your brain. Like you’ve accepted it as your reality.” “Dad!” Samantha called out, her voice rising with a mix of shock and frustration. “Dad, what?” Nathan snapped, turning sharply to face her. “Dad, what exactly?” He took a step closer, his tone firm and full of disappointment. “Samantha, if you know what’s good for you, you'd better sit up and start thinking clearly. I don’t know if you had taken a good look at the person you called ‘just a friend.’ No car. No direction. No clear future. Nothing to show for himself.” Samantha opened her mouth to respond, but Nathan didn’t give her the chance. “I’ve warned you before,” he continued, his voice growing louder. “I don’t know why you want me to keep repeating myself. The school is full of people who could actually help you build something. But it’s like you’ve made peace with poverty. Like you’ve accepted it as your destiny. And I won’t stand by and watch you do that.” Without another word, Nathan turned and walked out of the living room into his room. His footsteps were heavy, deliberate. The door to his room shut with a quiet finality. Samantha is a student at New York University (NYU), where she studies Management and Technology. Her course teaches her how to run a business and use modern technology to solve problems. NYU is a top school, but very expensive. Most of the students there come from rich families—some are children of millionaires and even billionaires. Samantha’s story is different. She worked hard and was lucky enough to get a scholarship. That scholarship had allowed her to study at NYU without paying the high fees. When she got accepted, it felt like a dream come true. She promised herself she would make the most of this rare opportunity. Every day on campus reminds her of how far she’s come. She’s focused, determined, and proud of what she’s achieved. She’s also the class coordinator—someone her classmates respect and rely on. She helps organize things and makes sure everyone stays on track. But back home, her parents see things differently. They believe success comes from who you know. To them, being around rich students is a chance to build connections that could help her in the future. They want her to make friends with the wealthy students, hoping those relationships will open doors. Samantha understands their hopes, but she also wants to stay true to herself. She believes success should come from hard work, not just from knowing the right people. She’s caught between two worlds—trying to honor her parents’ wishes while following her own path. “Hello, fine girl,” a voice called out as she made her way to her morning class. She turned, slightly startled, and saw a tall, handsome guy standing just a few steps away. He had a warm smile on his face, the kind that felt friendly and easy. Something was charming about him — not flashy, but calm and confident. “Hi,” Samantha replied, offering a small, hesitant smile. “I’m Jake,” he said, stretching out his hand for a handshake. “And you?” Samantha paused. Her eyes quickly scanned him from head to toe — simple sneakers, no designer labels, no expensive watch. He doesn’t look like he has money, she thought. This is another broke guy. Why do they always find their way to me? She hesitated for a moment longer, her thoughts raced. Her father’s voice echoed in her mind: Shine your eyes. Look for the ones who can change your life. “And… I’m Samantha,” she said finally, reaching out to meet his hand with hers. Their hands met in a gentle shake. It was brief because Samantha had quickly made it short. "I must tell you, you look beautiful for real. I think you came straight from heaven only to bless someone this afternoon. Because, for real, you look like an angel." Samantha burst into smiling, shaking her head in amusement. "Jake, or whatever you call yourself, please! Don’t flatter me. It’s too early for this!" "I’m not flattering. You know I’m telling the truth. Since I arrived on this campus, I thought the flowers were what made it beautiful. But now I know—it’s you. You’re the reason this place shines." Samantha threw her hands up dramatically, pretending to faint. "Someone help me! I need water on my head because this boy is going to finish me today!" She fanned herself with both hands, turning around as if overwhelmed. Jake burst into laughter, watching her playful reaction. As Samantha looked at him, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. His calm eyes, the way he carried himself—it was distracting. A strange thought crossed Samantha’s mind as she looked at Jake: If I were a guy and he were a lady, I’d probably be trying to toast him by now. She blinked, surprised by her own imagination, and quickly shook the thought away. Focus, Samantha, she told herself. This is not the kind of man you need. “I think I need to go now,” she said quickly, trying to sound casual. “Thanks for the compliment.” She took a step forward, hoping to leave the moment behind, but Jake’s voice stopped her gently. “I think we’re heading to the same place — MG-UY 3004 lecture class.” Samantha slowed down, turning slightly. “Are you in my class?. Are you in my department?” she asked, curious now. Jake walked up beside her, “Yes, but I’m in my final year,” he said with a small smile. “The course is a carryover for me.” “Oh,” Samantha replied, and they began walking side by side toward the lecture hall.They made it to Mayo Clinic just in time. The doctor reviewed the charts and gave a slight nod.“She’s gonna be okay,” he said. “As long as we start treatment immediately.”Nathan felt a wave of relief — but it was short-lived. His mind was already racing. His wife’s life was on the line, and now the cost of saving it was staring him in the face, too.About half an hour later, a nurse came by and asked Nathan to step into the doctor’s office.“Good afternoon, Doctor,” Nathan said, trying to keep his voice steady.“Good afternoon, sir. Please, have a seat.”Nathan sat, hands clasped tight in his lap.“We’ve stabilized your wife’s condition,” the doctor began. “But she needs surgery. And it has to happen soon.”Nathan nodded slowly. “Okay, Doctor. Whatever it takes.”The doctor slid a folder across the desk. Inside was the bill.$250,000.Nathan blinked. His throat tightened. He stared at the number, trying to act like it didn’t shake him.But it did.He didn’t have that kind of money.
“Dad… Gabriel divorced me,” Samantha said quietly.“What?” Nathan’s voice rose in shock. “What do you mean he divorced you?”Samantha broke down again, tears spilling over. “He accused me of cheating on him… with Clark.”“Clark?” Nathan asked, confused. “Who’s Clark?”“Jake’s friend,” she said through sobs. “The one I told you about before.”“Oh… right. Clark. I remember now.” Nathan leaned in, concern deepening. “So what happened?”“He came by to tell me about a job opening,” she explained. “After everything that happened at Jake’s birthday — the way I was humiliated by Jake and his wife — Clark just wanted to help. I hugged him… and that’s when Gabriel walked in.”She paused, her voice trembling. “He said we were making love. Then he told me to sign divorce papers.”The room went quiet.Only Samantha’s soft crying filled the silence.“Is that all?” Nathan asked quietly.“Yes,” Samantha whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Nathan paused, then leaned in gently. “It’s okay, my dea
Samantha cried the entire afternoon. By evening, Gabriel still hadn’t come home.She made up her mind, she’d wait for him all night if that’s what it took. Every so often, she went to the window, peering out into the darkness, hoping to see his car. At some point, exhaustion pulled her under.When she woke around two in the morning, the house was still silent. Gabriel hadn’t returned. She broke down again, her tears carrying her straight into dawn.As the first light crept in, a thought struck her. Without hesitation, she went to the kitchen and began preparing his favorite meal. When my husband comes back, he’ll be hungry, she told herself.But the food sat untouched, growing cold.It was late when Gabriel finally walked in, not with a smile, not with an explanation, but with divorce papers in his hand.Before he could take two steps inside, Samantha dropped to her knees. Her face was pale and drawn, her hair messy from a night without rest. She was looking broken.“Gabriel, please,”
Before Gabriel even got home, his phone buzzed with a bank alert — one million dollars had just been deposited into his account.By the time he walked through the door, his mood had shifted.“Welcome,” Samantha said with a warm smile.He handed her the bag of fruit, the perfume, and the body spray without a word. Samantha was happy when he saw the items, whoa! This is nice of you. I love you, my dear. Hugging him on his seat. But then, she noticed that Gabriel was not happy.“Don’t tell me you’re still upset about what happened at that party,” Samantha said, studying his face. “Because the look in your eyes and your mood say it all.”Gabriel didn’t answer. His mind was somewhere else, turning over the thought of how he could end their marriage.A few days later, Clark was driving through the neighborhood. On a whim, he decided to turn toward Samantha’s house before heading home.“Hello, Samantha. Are you at home?” he said over the phone.“Yes,” she replied.“Okay, I’m coming right ove
Samantha and Gabriel got home still burning with anger.“Jake looked me right in the face and insulted me in front of everyone,” Samantha said, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “So this is what it was all along. I thought you had changed, but you’re still the same bad guy I met back on campus.”Gabriel paced the room, his hands on his hips, while Samantha stood facing the wall, her shoulders tense.“How can I be humiliated like this?” she whispered. “God help me not to cross paths with those people again… because if I do, it won’t be a good day at all.”Gabriel stopped pacing and walked up behind her. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “It’s okay, dear,” he said softly. But as he looked closer, he realized she had been crying the whole time.Samantha ended the call and set the phone back on the table. Gabriel was still sitting on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.“That was Clark,” she said quietly.Gabriel looked up. “What did he want?”“He called t
“No problem,” Clark said with a smile. “I’m expecting both of you.”“Alright, bye.”The call ended.The party was already in full swing when Samantha and Gabriel arrived. Music floated through the air, glasses clinked, and laughter rolled from one corner of the room to the other. Clark had gone all out for his birthday. The place was warm, bright, and filled with familiar faces.They mingled quietly, greeting a few people, trying to blend into the crowd. Samantha was happy to see Clark smiling, moving from guest to guest like the perfect host.About an hour in, the room shifted. Heads turned toward the entrance as Jake and Julia walked in. They looked polished, confident, the kind of couple that drew attention without even trying. They made their way around the room, greeting people with hugs and handshakes.But when they reached Samantha and Gabriel, they stopped. Jake’s eyes flicked over them, and without a word, he moved past as if they weren’t even there. Julia followed, her lips
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