I continued to walk back and forth across the room, nervously nibbling at my fingernails.
 "Come on, Halle. Are you going to open up about what's bothering you? I've been waiting here for ages," Jessie turned to me, fixing her gaze on me as she cradled a glass of wine in her hands. 
Swallowing hard, I finally mustered the courage to confess, "Jess, it's hard to put into words, but I think I've fallen in love." Jessie gasped in response, "That's fantastic news! Who is it? You have to tell me," she urged, smirking and moving closer to me, prompting me to let out a heavy sigh.
 "Both of them," I admitted, bowing my head just as the glass tumbled from her grasp. "You've fallen for both of them?How did it happen?"


***************************************

When admitted to Gleewood Arts, an elite college for the exceptionally talented, Halle's life takes a dramatic turn.

As Halle's melodious voice rises to fame overnight, sparking a viral sensation ,she becomes the unexpected vocalist of the renowned boy band, the Elite 3.

When love unexpectedly enters the picture and sweet bites turn sour, she becomes entangled with the sons of her parents' killers. Halle must decide whether to let go of the scars of her past or let them guide her towards the truth. She faces a dilemma—will she choose revenge or the healing power of love?"

Scarred Hearts

Struggling to rise from the hospital bed, weakened and unsteady, Jessie's voice echoed, "Where are you going?" Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, "Please wait, we need to talk." She held me back, urging me to calm down. 


Restlessly, I wandered the hospital, searching for what was never lost—my reflection. Finally facing a mirror, panic seized me. 


 "I thought it was all going to be over. I'm still the ugly beast, the one in my own story. I thought it was all going to be over." 


A gentle squeeze on my hands, tears flowing uncontrollably, and Jessie pulled me into a tight embrace. "I'm never letting you go, Halle. I couldn't protect you, but I won't let anyone hurt you again." 


"You're the only one who truly loves me for me, the ugly beast I am," I confessed to Jessie. 


“Why are you doing this to yourself? Losing your mind over a tiny error. I wish you could see how perfect you are; you're beautiful just the way you are," Jessie said, and we turned to face the mirror. She smiled at me as I touched the huge scar covering half of my face and managed a fake smile. 


"Scars might leave marks, but they keep reminding you of yourself. One day, you’ll heal," She whispered.


Prologue