THE LOVE WE WERE NEVER MEANT TO HAVE

Chapter One — The Boy Behind the Glass Sandra Williams had always believed that some people were born beneath lucky stars while others spent their entire lives trying to reach them. She belonged to the second kind. At twenty-two, Sandra knew what it meant to struggle. She knew how it felt to count every coin before buying food, to walk home because she could not afford transportation, and to smile at people even when her heart was tired from carrying too many worries. Her mother had died when she was young, leaving her and her father to survive together. Her father worked long hours doing whatever jobs he could find, but money was always scarce. Sandra never complained. She had learned that complaining did not put food on the table. That morning, she stood behind the counter of a small café, arranging cups while the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room. “Table six needs their order,” her manager called. “I’m coming.” Sandra picked up the tray and hurried across the café. She was so focused on not spilling anything that she didn’t notice the young man entering through the front door. Until she bumped into him. The tray slipped from her hands. A cup crashed to the floor. Coffee splashed across the man’s expensive white shirt. Sandra froze. “Oh my God.” The young man looked down at his shirt. Then he looked at her. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. “I’m so sorry,” Sandra whispered. “I didn’t see you.” The young man slowly shook his head. “It’s okay.” His voice was calm. Sandra expected anger. She expected him to shout, demand that she pay for the shirt, or threaten to have her fired. Instead, he smiled. And that smile caught her completely off guard. “You look more frightened than I am.” Sandra blinked. “I’m sorry.” “You’ve already said that.” She lowered her eyes. “I ruined your shirt.” He glanced at the stain. “I have plenty of shirts.” Sandra almost laughed. Of course he did. She could tell from his clothes, his watch, and the car waiting outside that he belonged to a world completely different from hers. “I’m really sorry,” she said again. He smiled. “Then let me forgive you.” She looked up. “What?” “My name is Emma.” “Sandra.” “Nice to meet you, Sandra.” They stared at each other. Neither of them knew it yet, but that simple introduction would change both their lives forever. Emma walked to an empty table. Sandra watched him sit down. Something about him was different. He wasn’t arrogant like the wealthy men she had met before. There was warmth in his eyes, something almost lonely hidden behind his confidence. “Coffee?” she asked. “Yes.” “What kind?” He looked at her. “Whatever you recommend.” Sandra smiled. “Then I’ll surprise you.” Emma smiled back. “I’ll trust you.” She walked away. For the first time in years, Sandra found herself smiling for no reason. And for the first time in his privileged life, Emma found himself looking forward to coming back somewhere—not because of the coffee, but because of the girl who served it. Neither of them knew that their love would soon become the greatest happiness they had ever known. And the greatest pain they would ever suffer.