
Eight years ago, Serena Sutton's parents died. Alistair Hawthorne adopted Serena; his father took their fortune. Serena developed feelings for Alistair. On her 18th birthday, she kissed him. He rejected her. Alistair worried about their age gap and investigated her parents' death, fearing his family's involvement. He protected Serena. Serena didn't give up. Alistair grew colder, found a girlfriend to push her away. She lost hope and left him.