Love Without Bounds (A Collection of Love Stories)

My name is Summer, and I'm the only daughter of the late tech billionaire Adam Stills. I'm 28 years old, and my life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. My parents' death in a plane crash two years ago left me with a vast inheritance, but also a deep sense of loss and loneliness. I've struggled to find men who truly care for me, not just my wealth. But that's a story for another time... Right now, I'm sitting in my driveway, tears streaming down my face as my boyfriend, Williams, breaks up with me. It's 9:00 PM, and my world is crumbling around me. Again. I can't believe Williams, my so-called boyfriend, is doing this to me. We just got back from dinner, and he's breaking up with me in my driveway. All because I couldn't make a huge cash transfer he claimed would help him out in business. I thought we had something real, but I guess I was wrong. Again. As I sit here in tears, Max, my loyal gate man, rushes out to open the gate. Williams gets out of the car, and I can see the anger in his eyes. He's been distant for weeks, and I knew something was off. But I never thought it would end like this. "Please, Williams, don't do this," I beg, my voice shaking. But he just looks at me with disgust. "You couldn't even help me out when I needed it most," he spits out. "What's the point of being with someone who can't support me?" I try to explain, but he's not having it. He drags me out of his car, and I land on the ground, my knees scraping against the pavement. Max rushes over, looking concerned, but Williams warns him to stay back. "Mind your business, gateman," he sneers. "This doesn't concern you." Max hesitates, but I can see the pity in his eyes. He knows I'm hurting, but he doesn't want to get involved. I don't blame him. Who wants to get caught up in my drama? Williams gets back in his car, and Max opens the gate for him. As he drives away, I feel a piece of my heart rip apart. Again. I thought I'd learned my lesson after my parent's death, but I guess I'm still a glutton for punishment. Max rushes back to me, helping me up from the ground. "Summer, stop crying," he says softly. "You deserve so much better than him." I nod, trying to compose myself. But the tears won't stop. I feel like I'm drowning in my sorrow, my fears. Will I ever find someone who loves me for who I am, not just my wealth? "I can't believe he said that," I sob to Max, my voice shaking with anger and sadness. "He has no idea what I'm worth, beyond my bank account." Max nods sympathetically, his eyes filled with understanding. "You deserve so much better, Summer," he says softly. "You're a beautiful, kind, and intelligent woman. Don't let him make you feel otherwise." I nod, trying to compose myself. But the tears won't stop. I feel like I've been punched in the gut like all the air has been sucked out of me. Max helps me inside, and I collapse onto the couch, feeling like I'm going to faint. He hands me a glass of water, and I take a sip, trying to calm down. But my mind is racing. How could Williams say such a thing? How could he be so cruel? I think back to the beginning of our relationship, how he was so charming. How he made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. But it was all a lie. He only wanted my money, my status. He never cared for me, not really. The night wore on, and my tears refused to dry. I lay in bed, my body shaking with sobs, my mind reeling from the harsh reality. Eight relationships, eight failures. All because of my wealth. I felt like I was living in a never-ending nightmare. Morning arrived, but I didn't. I refused to get out of bed, refused to face the world. Max knocked on my door, his gentle voice pleading with me to open up. But I couldn't. I wouldn't. "Summer, please open the door. You need to eat something. You can't stay in there forever," Max said, his words laced with concern. But I wasn't listening. I was lost in my world of pain and despair. I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of my tears. Max continued to knock, his knocks growing more insistent. But I remained stubborn, refusing to budge. I didn't want to face the world. I didn't want to face myself. As the hours ticked by, Max's knocks grew fainter, his voice more distant. I knew he was worried, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I was too consumed by my grief. The sun beat down on my window, casting a golden glow over my darkened room. But I didn't notice. I was trapped in my darkness, my private hell. As time goes, Max's knocks grew louder and more insistent, refusing to give up on me. But I was beyond reason, consumed by my anger and pain. "Go away, Max!" I shouted, my voice hoarse from crying. "Leave me alone!" But Max didn't listen. He kept knocking, his gentle voice pleading with me to open the door. But I was beyond consolation. "Max, I mean it!" I warned, my voice rising. "Go away before I lose my temper!" But Max didn't back down. He kept knocking, his knocks growing more persistent. And I could feel my anger boiling over, like a pot about to overflow. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I flung open the door, my eyes blazing with fury. "Go away, Max!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the hallway. But Max didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his eyes filled with concern. "Summer, please," he said softly. "You need to eat something. You can't keep starving yourself." But I was beyond reason. I was consumed by my pain and anger. And I lashed out, my hand striking Max across the face. "Go back to the gate where you belong!" I spat, my voice venomous. "Leave me alone, Max!" Max's eyes widened in shock, his face stinging from the slap. But he didn't retaliate. He didn't defend himself. He just stood there, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. And for a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable. Then, without a word, Max turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped in defeat. I watched him go, my heart still racing with anger. But as the silence grew, I felt a pang of regret. Had I been too harsh? Had I hurt Max too deeply? But I pushed the thought aside, refusing to acknowledge it. I was too consumed by my pain, my anger. And I slammed the door shut, locking myself back in my darkened room. But I didn't care. I was too far gone, too consumed by my despair.