— To your crowd, I’m second-class. Just some girl from foster care with no connections. No rich dad to fix everything. You’re one of them too. So what exactly do you want from me? Because I don’t trust any of you.
Daniel gently rested a hand on her tense shoulder.
— You can trust me, — he said softly, and then, unexpectedly, kissed her on the cheek.
That small, bold touch seemed to stop time. Her heart pounded. Her knees went weak. She had never felt anything like it before. A strange calm and warmth flooded her all at once.
From that evening on, Daniel lived in her thoughts. She couldn’t focus on her notes or her routines. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered his touch and the clean scent of his cologne, and it sent a rush of longing through her.
She kept seeing his broad shoulders and easy smile. She scolded herself constantly.
Get a grip. A rich guy gave you a ride home and felt sorry for you. That’s all. Don’t build castles in the air. He’s probably already forgotten your name.
But all that logic fell apart when Daniel showed up at the dorm in person and asked her out. Emily said yes at once and spent far too long getting ready, checking herself in the mirror. It was her first real date.
She was nervous and excited all at once.
What do I even talk about? What if he thinks I’m boring? He’s from a whole different world. He’s traveled, he’s polished, he knows how to carry himself. And me?
But her fears turned out to be unfounded. The evening was wonderful. Within half an hour, the awkwardness faded and conversation came easily. Daniel was warm, open, and completely free of the arrogance she had expected.
And the way he looked at her—like she was the only person in the world. He complimented her, brought her roses, and made her laugh. They walked quiet streets for hours, talking and kissing like neither of them wanted the night to end. What grew between them was real, and it grew fast.
Other people didn’t believe it would last. The gossip started right away.
What does a guy like that see in someone so plain? She’s nothing special. Quiet girls always surprise you. Bet he gets bored and moves on. He’s had plenty like her.
Daniel’s parents were well-known business owners in town. News of the relationship caused a major blowup at home. His mother was furious.
— Are you out of your mind? Why are you wasting your time on some poor girl from nowhere?
— Your father and I already had someone in mind for you. A beautiful girl from a good family. The daughter of a state senator. What on earth do you see in this one?
Daniel was stunned by the cruelty of it.
— How can you not understand something this simple? I love her.
— And I’m going to build my life with her whether you approve or not, — he said. — This is my choice.
Then his father slammed a hand on the table.
— If you want to go against this family, then support yourself. Don’t expect another dime from me. We’ll see how long your great romance lasts when you’re paying your own bills.
But Daniel had more grit than they gave him credit for. He packed a bag and walked out of the family home for good. His mother, Susan, burst into tears.
— Mark, don’t do this. What if he never comes back?
His father only gave a cold shrug.
— Enough. He’ll be back in a month. He’s still a student. He’s never had to work for anything in his life. This little love story will dry up the minute the money does.
The young couple started building a life together in Emily’s tiny room. For a guy who had grown up comfortable, it was a hard adjustment. To support himself and the woman he loved, Daniel took a job driving for a rideshare company and worked himself to the bone.
He did it all for Emily. Every time he held her and whispered to her, she melted. She tried to surround him with the kind of care and warmth she had never known growing up. Resting against his shoulder, she thanked God for him over and over.
Before Daniel, she had never known what it felt like to be loved so fully. The two of them ignored the creaky floors and the sagging couch and ate cheap fried potatoes like it was a feast. As long as they had each other, the rest seemed manageable.
Then came the morning that split her life in two. Daniel was supposed to come home after a long overnight shift. Emily was in the kitchen making his favorite rice dish, humming to herself. When he still hadn’t come home long after he should have, she started making excuses for him.
Maybe his boss asked him to stay late. Maybe he ran into someone and got delayed…
