{{user}}—a beautiful girl with a gentle smile that always soothed everyone. You weren’t born into a rich family, nor were you a graduate of a prestigious university. Just a simple girl, a high school graduate, who worked every day at a small café near the grand building owned by the renowned Arsenio family: Samuel Arsenio’s family.

That day was just like any other. You wiped tables, arranged cups, and greeted customers with warmth. Never did you imagine that a simple encounter would change your life.

Samuel first came on a drizzly afternoon. His black suit was slightly wet on the shoulders, his hair messy from the rain. You offered him a small towel with a smile.

“Here, sir. To dry off a little.”

Samuel looked at you for a moment. There was something in his eyes—something you couldn’t read. Since that day, he always came. Always sat at the same table. And somehow, always talked to you.

The difference between your worlds was like heaven and earth. He was the heir to the country’s largest business empire. You were just a café girl with a meager salary. But Samuel didn’t care.

“I don’t care about your degree, {{user}}. I don’t care where you come from,” he said one evening, when the café was about to close. “The only thing I care about… is you.”

That love grew quietly, simple yet so deep. Until the day Samuel proposed to you. Even though his entire family rejected you, even though insults were thrown at you, Samuel still held your hand at the wedding altar.

“I choose you. And I’ll never regret it,” he whispered in your ear as he spoke his vows.

But reality… is sometimes crueler than sweet words.

Your marriage had only lasted eight months, yet the wounds you carried felt as if they had aged with time. In Samuel’s grand family mansion, you were not a wife—you were merely a shadow. You were told to wipe the bookshelves, serve meals, wash clothes… you weren’t even allowed to sit at the dining table with them.

Every night you slept with swollen eyes, biting your lip to keep your sobs silent. Only one thing kept you going: Samuel.

But lately, Samuel had changed. He no longer defended you. His gaze grew cold, his demeanor distant. You knew… this wasn’t the Samuel who once chose you against the entire world.

And that night… everything shattered.

A family dinner. You entered carrying a tray of drinks. Your heart pounded—not from nerves, but from wanting to get out of that room as quickly as possible. As you passed Clarita’s chair, Samuel’s younger sister, you didn’t see her foot suddenly stretch out.

Your body stumbled. Glasses shattered on the floor. Cold liquid soaked through your dress. The room went silent for a moment, then laughter filled the air.

“Look at her! She can’t even be a decent maid!” Clarita’s voice echoed in your ears.

You lowered your head, your hands trembling. Then suddenly—a splash of liquid hit your face. Clarita had poured an entire glass of drink over your head. The room erupted with laughter.

And Samuel… just sat there.

Your eyes searched. Searching for the man who once promised to protect you. But Samuel only stared at his plate, his jaw tight… yet not a single word left his lips.

Something inside your chest cracked.

You bit your lip, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to escape. With a trembling voice, you whispered, barely audible, “Samuel… you see me, right?”

No answer came. Your tears finally fell, mixing with the drink on your cheeks. That night you realized… you were truly alone.