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.

For a long moment after I told Clara about the investigation, no one spoke. The air in Yvette's room felt heavier than usual like the rose-scented air freshener couldn't mask the weight of what had just been said. Clara stood by the edge of the small rug, her brown eyes wide, lips slightly parted in disbelief.


"You're joking," she finally said, her voice trembling between anger and confusion.


I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Beside me, Yvette shifted, her hair brushing her cheek as she looked at Clara. 


Clara turned sharply toward Yvette. "Can you believe what she just..." She paused when she saw the expression on Yvette's face. "...you knew."


Yvette nodded slowly, her hands clasped together. "I did."


"And you didn't stop her?" Clara's voice cracked, and for a moment, she looked more hurt than angry.


Chapter 48 - Cracks in the Circle