Devastated

Just when Samuel thought he could finally be happy, reality hit him hard.

A week before his marriage to Zinnia, in the Lucas Realty Group conference room, Samuel's father, Steven Lucas, suddenly collapsed during their discussion. This unexpected event forced Samuel to step up as the acting CEO while his father recovered in the hospital.

Samuel, with his sharp business mind, quickly took control. Holding 65 percent of the company's shares, inherited from his late grandfather, George Lucas, he was soon elected as the new CEO, just a month after temporarily taking on the role.

But the happiness that should have come with this success was missing.

The night before his election, Samuel learned a shocking truth that crushed him. His parents, whom he had always believed were deeply in love, had actually divorced. To protect the family's image and the company, their separation was kept hidden—a secret buried before Samuel had even met Zinnia.

His father, whom Samuel had always seen as obsessed with making his mother happy, struggled to accept the divorce, which was the real reason for his illness.

Steven had no intention of telling Samuel the truth. But as Samuel searched his father's study for documents he needed to take over as CEO, he accidentally found the divorce papers. His eyes widened in shock as he read them.

A wave of disbelief washed over him, and he quickly called his father, who was still recovering in the hospital.

As soon as the call connected, Samuel's voice trembled. "Dad, is it true? You and Mom got divorced?"

Steven Lucas remained silent for a few minutes before finally replying, "Yes."

"But why?" Samuel responded immediately, desperation in his tone.

"Things just happened. She will no longer be coming back to us," his father said, his voice heavy with heartbreak.

Samuel could hear the pain in his father's voice, a deep sorrow that cut through him. It was a tone he had never heard from his father before, filled with regret and loss.

Hearing the news, Samuel felt as if his world had collapsed. The hope he had started to feel, the idea that he could have a happy marriage like his parents, was shattered. The thought of his parents' divorce scared him deeply. He feared that his relationship with Zinnia might end up the same way.

Happiness was something new to him, something he was just beginning to understand. But now, he felt lost and scared, afraid to move forward, worried that he might end up like his father—alone and broken.

He had grown used to loneliness, but Zinnia's entrance into his life had given him a glimpse of happiness that was completely foreign to him. Now, that happiness felt fragile, as if it could disappear at any moment.

Samuel was in turmoil, torn between the fear of repeating his parents' mistakes and the desire to embrace the happiness he had just started to discover.

At the event venue, Samuel was deep in thought, completely unaware that Zinnia had been calling out to him, congratulating him on becoming the new CEO while handing him a gift.

This scene didn't go unnoticed by Samuel's so-called friends—Jake, Stela, Mike, and the rest. Gossip spread quickly through their circles.

Samuel's phone started buzzing with messages, the continuous beeping finally pulling him back to reality. It was only then that he noticed Zinnia sitting at the same table, waiting patiently for his response.

"I'm so sorry, I was just lost in thought," Samuel apologized.

Zinnia smiled and handed him the gift. "Congrats on becoming the new CEO. Your hard work paid off. I'm so proud of you."

Her smile, though kind, only added to the storm of emotions churning inside him.

"Thank you," he said sincerely as he accepted the gift.

But the incessant beeping from his phone continued, drawing his attention. He gave Zinnia a polite smile before checking his messages.

The messages were from the group chat with his so-called friends. As he opened it, the harsh words shocked him.

"Did you see how Samuel ignored Zinnia? She's so obsessed with him, and he just brushed her off like she's nothing."

"She's practically throwing herself at him, and he couldn't care less."

"Wow, poor Zinnia, she's head over heels, and he just looks right through her."

"She's so desperate for his attention, it's embarrassing."

"Honestly, she should just take the hint. He's clearly not interested."

Samuel felt a wave of guilt and frustration as he read through the messages. Unable to stay silent, he quickly typed a reply.

"It's not like that. I was just distracted, not ignoring her on purpose."

But the response from his friends was dismissive.

"Sure, Samuel, whatever you say."

"Come on, man, we all saw it. You didn't even notice her."

"Don't make excuses. If you really cared, you'd have been more attentive."

"Yeah, we all know how you are. No need to pretend."

Samuel's explanations fell flat, his words brushed off without a second thought. They preferred their own narrative, and the truth was, he couldn't reveal the real reason why he was so distracted—doing so would have only made things worse.

He wanted to say something to Zinnia, but as he looked at her face, the words stuck in his throat.

Then Zinnia's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw that Lily was calling. "I'm sorry, my friend is calling. I'll just answer this first."

She walked to a quieter corner to take the call, leaving Samuel alone with his thoughts. Overwhelmed by the turmoil inside him, Samuel decided to drown it out with alcohol. He grabbed the wine on the table, downed it in one go, and then signaled the service crew for more.

By the time Zinnia returned from her call, Samuel was nearly drunk. "Let's go home," he slurred.

Timmy drove them home, concern etched on his face as he watched Samuel from the rearview mirror.

As soon as they arrived, Samuel headed straight for his room, his steps unsteady. Before he could reach his door, he stumbled, nearly falling to the floor. Zinnia rushed to his side, catching him just in time.

Feeling Zinnia's hand on his arm, Samuel shrugged it off and looked into her eyes, his expression raw and vulnerable. "Just go and leave me," he muttered. "You deserve something better. You deserve someone who can make you happy, not a wreck like me. Because I—I don't believe in love. I can't give that to you. So just go and be happy away from me."

Zinnia felt a sharp pang in her heart as she witnessed him in such a state. His words didn't fully register with her; all she wanted in that moment was to make him feel better, to lift him out of his despair. She opened her mouth to reassure him, to tell him that she wouldn't leave him, no matter what.

But before she could get the words out, Samuel turned away, opened his door, and disappeared into his room, closing it behind him.