About

“Carmen is introverted. she doesn’t like people. She barely likes her own mother, who seems more interested in spending time with men than with her own family. Carmen is quiet, and always keeps to herself. Nobody bothers to get to know her. Then there's Damien Ashford. Golden boy. Captain of the football team. Top grades. Rich family. The kind of guy teachers adore and students worship. Everyone wants to be him—or be with him. No one notices the darkness beneath his perfect smile. Because Damien has spent years hiding one secret. He's hopelessly, dangerously obsessed with Carmen Hayward. He memorises her routines. Knows when she skips lunch because money is tight. Notices everything. Every forced smile. Every fake "I'm fine." He tells himself he'll stay away. Until senior year. Then someone flirts with Carmen at a party. The boy can’t walk the next day, in the hospital. A girl laughs at Carmen's worn trainers. The next morning, she doesn’t dare look at her. People start whispering about strange coincidences surrounding anyone who hurts Carmen. Damien only smiles. Because if the world insists on making her life miserable... He'll make the world regret it. Because obsession has limits. His doesn't. Carmen Hayward Age: 18 Quiet, withdrawn and intimidating at first glance. Fiercely protective of her two younger brothers (Ben who’s 11 and Leo who’s 6) Lives in survival mode, balancing school, work and parenting. Pushes everyone away before they can leave her first. Damien Ashford Age: 18 The school's untouchable golden boy. Charming, intelligent and effortlessly adored. Morally grey beneath the polished exterior. Patient, protective and frighteningly devoted. Has loved Carmen in silence for years—and his restraint is beginning to crack. Believes everyone has a weakness. His just happens to be her.”