Yarra Sebastian grew up in a small town with her loving parents and her younger sister Rahya. Her world was simple — school, chores, and helping her mother sell vegetables at the market. Despite their financial struggles, Yarra’s heart was full — full of dreams, of love for her family, and of silent hope for something more.Zarred Altamonte, on the other hand, lived a life of luxury in a high-rise condo in BGC. Son of a powerful businessman and a glamorous mother, he was raised to be the future CEO of Altamonte Corporation. But behind the polished shoes and luxury cars, Zarred felt a suffocating loneliness in a world that expected perfection.Their worlds collide when Zarred is assigned a university project involving rural outreach — and he’s sent to a small town for research. There, he meets Yarra, who volunteers to help guide him through the community. At first, they clash — Yarra thinks he’s arrogant, while Zarred finds her too blunt. But as days pass, he begins to see her strength, her pure heart, and the quiet sadness behind her smiles.They start spending more time together — walking through fields, watching sunsets, and sharing stories under the stars. Zarred, for the first time, feels seen. Yarra, for the first time, feels chosen.But when their growing relationship reaches the ears of Zarred’s mother, Cassandra, everything begins to fall apart. She considers Yarra “beneath” their family. Yarra is humiliated and forced to back away, even if it breaks her heart.Zarred, torn between duty and love, must choose: follow the life planned for him, or fight for the girl who taught him what it means to truly live.

Hello, Readers!I’m not sure if you’ll like my story, but I’m writing it from the heart because it’s based on my real-life experiences. I’m sharing this out of love—for my journey, and most of all, for my family.Just call me Lian. I’m the sixth of seven siblings, and I’m also the narrator of this story. I grew up surrounded by hardships, but through it all, I stayed strong and determined to rise above the challenges. Now, I’m walking the path toward becoming a nurse—a dream I’ve held onto with all my heart.If you notice any mistakes in grammar or writing, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I want to keep learning and growing as a writer. I hope you enjoy reading my story.Papa Bert was once a loving father, but he changed when he fell into vices like alcohol and gambling. He sold the family’s animals to fund his gambling and became violent, often hurting our mother. Mama Wen, on the other hand, remained the heart of the family—a selfless and devoted mother who gave everything just to keep us from going hungry.Our eldest sibling, Roger, stepped up as the father figure after Papa’s decline. He dreamed of becoming a doctor, but poverty crushed that dream. Still, he remained a responsible and loving kuya until his passing.Ate Len, the second sibling, was given the chance to study but married young. Now, she has a family of eight children—an early start to responsibility. Liza, the third sibling, played a huge role in helping me study in a prestigious school. She now lives in Norway with her foreign husband and remains a dependable and supportive sister.Ate Marge, the fourth, became the mother figure to our youngest sibling, Jr. She raised him as her own and later left an abusive husband while raising her three children—a quiet symbol of strength and care.Kuya JN, the fifth, worked in many places just for food. He studied for a while but had to stop when his girlfriend got pregnant. He now has his own family with two sons.And Jr—the youngest—was only four months old when he was left in our care. Ate Marge raised him lovingly. Sadly, he passed away in Grade 4 after being hit by a bus. His loss remains one of the deepest wounds in our family.