The story revolves around Stella, a young girl who lives with her mother in a small house next to a mansion owned by the wealthy Mrs. Branson. Stella's mother works as a maid for Mrs. Branson, who is mean and rude. Stella has grown up with Mrs. Branson's twins, Candice and Julian, and has often clashed with Candice, who is jealous of Stella's beauty and intelligence.
As Stella grows older, she begins to develop feelings for Julian, who has changed from a chubby, awkward boy to a handsome and charming young man. Despite their differences in social status, the two start a secret romance. However, their love is put to the test when Mrs. Branson announces Julian's engagement to another woman, Casey, the daughter of a business partner.
Heartbroken, Stella leaves the mansion with her mother and starts a new life. She works hard, becomes a nurse, and eventually starts dating another man, Enrique. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she bumps into Julian again, who reveals that he did not marry Casey and has been looking for Stella.
Julian's explanation for his past behavior is that he was forced to break up with Stella to protect her from his family's wrath. He claims that his mother threatened to put Stella's mother in jail for theft if he didn't end the relationship. Stella is torn between her feelings for Julian and her anger towards him for breaking her heart.
In the end, Stella visits Julian in the hospital after he is involved in a serious car accident. As he recovers, Stella begins to see Julian in a new light and eventually agrees to give him another chance. The story ends with Stella kissing Julian on the lips, and his pulse quickening with excitement, hinting at a possible rekindling of their romance.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Stella's mother works as a maid for a rich lady named Mrs. Branson.
2. Stella and her mother live in a house next to Mrs. Branson's mansion.
3. Mrs. Branson has twins, Candice and Julian, who are Stella's age.
4. Julian left for boarding school 7 years ago, but Candice remained.
5. Candice is jealous of Stella because she thinks Stella is prettier and smarter.
6. Stella's mother was humiliated by Mrs. Branson in front of guests.
7. Stella's mother broke her ankle and couldn't work, so Stella had to replace her.
8. Candice made Stella do her homework and other tasks.
9. Julian returned home and started flirting with Stella.
10. Stella's friend warned her that Julian was just fooling around.
11. Stella and Julian started talking, and she found out he loved racing.
12. Julian took Stella to a field to watch fireworks.
13. Stella's phone rang, and Mrs. Branson told her to return home.
14. Stella avoided Julian, but he kept trying to get her attention.
15. Stella's friend was considering asking Julian out on a date.
16. Stella realized she was in love with Julian.
17. Julian's family threw a huge party, and Mrs. Branson announced Julian's engagement to Casey.
18. Stella was shocked and left the room in tears.
19. Candice appeared and mocked Stella, saying she wasn't Julian's type.
20. Stella hit Candice with a snack tray and ran out of the room.
21. Stella and her mother packed their bags and left the Branson's estate.
22. They rented a cheap apartment and started looking for work.
23. Stella's mother recovered and started working as a maid in a hotel.
24. Stella got a job as a waitress and applied for a nursing scholarship.
25. Stella got a job at a hospital and received a bouquet of roses from a patient named Enrique.
26. Enrique asked Stella out, but she was too busy.
27. Enrique kept showing up and asking Stella out until she finally agreed.
28. Stella bumped into Julian on a date with Enrique.
29. Julian told Stella he didn't marry Casey and cut ties with his family.
30. Stella ignored Julian's messages asking her to meet up.
31. Julian was admitted to the hospital after a serious car accident.
32. Stella took care of Julian and learned that his mother had threatened to put her mother in jail if he didn't break up with her.
33. Julian told Stella he was young and weak and thought he was doing the right thing by breaking up with her.
34. Stella kissed Julian on the lips, and his pulse quickened with excitement.