At St. Augustine’s Academy, privilege and power run through every marble hallway. For some, this final year means freedom. For others, it’s the stepping stone to even greater influence. But for a few, it will become a life-altering secret they can never escape.

Isabella Marquez has her future mapped out; graduate top of her class, enter the most prestigious university, and one day take control of her father’s empire. Nothing and no one will stop her.

Especially not Alexander Hawthorne with his smirk and blue eyes, the Duke’s reckless second son. To Isabella, he’s nothing more than a chain-smoking, party-throwing menace who will likely end up in jail before graduation.

But when a classmate turns up dead in Isabella’s dorm room, Alexander becomes the only person who can help her prove her innocence. Forced into an uneasy alliance, Isabella discovers that behind his arrogant smirk and scandalous reputation lies someone far more complicated than she ever imagined.

And in a world where secrets are currency and friends can become enemies and enemies can become something dangerously more, Isabella may find herself risking more than just her future, she may risk her heart.



Dive in to explore Isabella's life as it either takes a turn for the best or the worse.


This book is participating in the cupids quill contest and your votes and support will be highly appreciated.

Michael froze mid–chew, and even Arthur's eyes flicked toward me with a small frown, like I'd said something heavier than I meant to.


Michael cleared his throat. "He'll be here soon. He's… still talking to Alistair."


"Talking?" Eilidh arched a brow, leaning forward. "That's what you're calling it now? Because if it's Alex, and it's Alistair, then I'm betting 'talking' involves at least one threat and one slammed desk."


Michael chuckled softly, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, something like that."


It should've comforted me, knowing Alex was handling things, but it didn't. Lunch moved on in slow motion after that. Conversation drifted to other things, but I barely heard any of it. My fork scraped against my plate again and again, pushing food I wasn't eating.


Chapter 47 - Telling Clara