She Outshines the Stars

Claire Howard has been secretly dating Alexander Carter, the older brother of her best friend Megan, for four years. She always believed they kept their relationship private because Alexander was worried about how it might affect his sister. But when Megan excitedly tells her that “my brother finally has a girlfriend,” Claire discovers the devastating truth: the woman Alexander truly loves is Victoria, Claire’s own maternal half-sister. Even worse, after going through Alexander’s phone, Claire learns that she was never more than a substitute. Alexander originally approached her as part of a plan to get revenge on Victoria, and he even kept intimate photos of Claire without her consent. Claire decides to end the relationship and accepts a company transfer to Seattle. Before she can leave, however, Victoria publicly displays Claire’s private photos at their mother’s birthday party. Claire reports the incident to the police and prepares to pursue legal action, but her mother pressures her to settle. Alexander goes even further, using the Carter family’s medical assistance fund—which has long helped cover Claire’s father’s treatment—as leverage against her. Forced to compromise, Claire finally gives up on Alexander completely and leaves San Francisco alone. After Claire is gone, Alexander gradually discovers that Victoria has been lying to him all along. The child she claimed was his is not actually his, and the private-photo scandal was secretly orchestrated by her as well. But no matter how deeply he regrets what he did, he can no longer win Claire back. Meanwhile, Julian Bennett, one of Claire’s high school classmates whom she has not seen in years, reenters her life. Unlike Alexander, who always tried to control her, Julian consistently respects Claire’s choices and stays by her side when she needs someone most. Before Claire’s father can finally receive a long-awaited transplant, he suddenly dies of a heart attack. His death changes Claire completely. She no longer