Chapter 1: The Dream of More

People say money can’t buy happiness. But for Ryan Carter, it bought silence, regret, and an empty hospital bed.

He had everything once—fame, cash, the life people dream of. But when he lay broken in that cold white room, no family beside him, no hand to hold, he asked himself one question: “Was it worth it?”

This story is about how Ryan reached that bed. It started when he was just twenty-five—a young man with a strong face, loud dreams, and a heart that wanted more than love.

Ryan Carter was only twenty-five when he started thinking the world was unfair. He was smart, tall, and had a good smile. He worked in a small office and earned just enough to pay for rent, food, and a few clothes. But he wanted more. He wanted the kind of life that looked perfect—big houses, shiny cars, and people who respected him. In his eyes, respect came from money. Nothing else.

He had fallen in love many times. At school, at college, even at work. But things never worked out. Some girls liked him, but left when they saw he had no car. Some were kind but poor like him, and he left them. He thought love without money had no meaning. In his mind, love was weak, but money was power. By twenty-five, he had already had ten girlfriends. But still, he felt empty. He began to think, “I don’t need love. I need success.”

One evening, at a friend’s wedding, Ryan met Rachel Miller. She looked simple, but elegant. She was quiet, kind, and had a soft smile. People whispered she came from a rich family. Ryan smiled extra that night. He made jokes. He helped her to her car. And when she left, he followed her on social media. Within days, he messaged her. Within weeks, he visited her.

Rachel was good-hearted. She didn’t care about cars or big watches. She liked Ryan for his words, his laughter, and the way he noticed small things. She told him she lived with her older stepbrother, William Miller, after her parents died. William was rich and managed the family business. Rachel had money too, but she never showed off. She was gentle, and she believed in love.

Ryan started planning. He didn’t love Rachel. Not truly. But he saw her as his way out. A rich girl with no parents and a big house—just the perfect shortcut. He decided he would marry her and never struggle again.

After eight months of sweet talks, movie nights, and gifts he bought with borrowed money, Ryan proposed to Rachel. She smiled, cried, and said yes.

Rachel told her brother William about the wedding. William didn’t like Ryan. He said Ryan didn’t seem honest. But Rachel didn’t listen. She trusted Ryan more than anyone. William gave a cold smile and paid for the wedding. But after the marriage, he stopped calling Rachel. He sent her one message: “You chose him. Now live with your choice.” From that day, William never gave her any money. Rachel’s name was removed from their family property. She was now rich in name only—but poor in truth.

Ryan didn’t care. He thought Rachel was still rich. Even after marriage, he asked her to buy a new car, a better house, a vacation. Rachel said, “We don’t have that kind of money now. William has cut me off.”

Ryan was shocked. “You mean we’re… broke?” he asked.

Rachel looked at him. “I married for love, not money. I thought you did too.”

Ryan didn’t reply. His dreams were breaking. He was not angry at William. He was angry at Rachel. “You should have told me,” he shouted.

From that day, something inside Ryan changed. He no longer smiled at Rachel. He stopped coming home early. He started spending nights with business people in clubs, bars, and lounges. He drank, he laughed, and he made promises he couldn’t keep. He wanted fast money. And he wanted it now.

At thirty, Ryan was living in a small rented apartment with Rachel. His parents lived far away in their old house. They called him sometimes, but he rarely answered. His mother once said, “Come visit, son. Your father misses you.” Ryan replied, “I’m busy making something big.”

He started working on risky deals. He borrowed from the wrong people. He lied in meetings. He faked documents. He promised double returns. And the money started coming. Not slow. Fast.

Rachel watched all this. She cried at night but said nothing. Her husband was becoming someone she didn’t know. She stayed home, cooking, saving pennies, hoping Ryan would come back to her. But he didn’t.

One day, Rachel told Ryan, “We need to talk.”

He looked at her coldly. “Not now. I have an investor dinner.”

She touched his hand. “I feel like I’m living with a stranger.”

Ryan pulled his hand away. “You are,” he said, “I don’t want this life. I want more.”

He slammed the door and left.

That night, Rachel cried holding their only photo from the wedding. She was wearing white, smiling. He was holding her close. But the man in the photo was gone.

Ryan didn’t care. He had only one dream now: money, status, and power. He didn’t know it yet, but the price he would pay for that dream… was everything.