The Rising Bastard Son.

Chapter 1

The sunlight streamed through the small gap in the curtains, falling directly onto Sam's face. He groaned, rolling onto his side, trying to escape the blinding rays. His body felt heavy, a familiar exhaustion clinging to him like a second skin. It wasn't just physical fatigue—it was the weight of everything in his life.

Sam sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and glanced at the time. He was late. Again. With a sigh, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and forced himself to stand. The small apartment he lived in was barely enough to be called a home, but it was all he could afford. Stacks of books cluttered his desk, a constant reminder of the education he was working so hard to sustain.

Life had never been easy for Sam. Orphaned at a young age, he had learned to fend for himself early. But despite the hardships, he had one constant in his life—Ryan, his childhood friend. They had grown up together, been through thick and thin, and Sam had always thought of him as a brother. Ryan was the only family he had.

To keep up with college expenses, Sam worked part-time at a convenience store. The pay wasn't much, but it kept him afloat. Most nights, he barely got any sleep, balancing work, studies, and the little time he had left for himself. Yet, despite all this, he had never once complained. He had dreams, ambitions, and he was determined to carve a better life for himself.

As he got ready for the day, his thoughts drifted to someone who had become a significant part of his life—Kate. He had met her in college, and from the moment he first saw her, he had been drawn to her. She was everything he wasn't—bright, confident, and full of life. For months, he had admired her from afar, never believing he stood a chance. But a year ago, he had gathered the courage to confess his feelings. To his surprise, she had said yes.

Their relationship had been one of the best things to happen to him. Everyone around them had admired their bond, and even Ryan had been happy for him. It felt like, for the first time, things were finally going right in his life.

With a deep breath, Sam grabbed his bag and headed out. Today was just another day, another step toward a future he was working so hard for. Little did he know, his world was about to come crashing down in the worst way possible.