Shattered Truths

Author's Notes

When I first began writing Shattered Truths, I wanted to capture the raw and unsettling reality of betrayal—not in the form of a dramatic scandal that could be easily brushed aside, but in the quiet, creeping way that manipulation and broken trust erode a person's sense of self. Matt's journey is not just about losing someone he loved; it is about losing faith in himself and learning, piece by piece, how to build that back.

Claire was never written to be a "villain" in the traditional sense. She represents the complex web of charm, control, and emotional deception that so many people experience in toxic relationships. Through her, I wanted to show how manipulation often doesn't look like anger or abuse at first—it looks like laughter, romance, and promises, only later unraveling into control and gaslighting.

Luke's role was equally important to me. His betrayal isn't as obvious as Claire's, but in many ways, it cuts even deeper. I wanted readers to feel the sting of realizing that even the people we trust most can be influenced by jealousy, selfishness, or weakness. His silence, his half-truths, and his secret feelings for Claire highlight a different kind of betrayal: the betrayal of loyalty.

Sarah, in contrast, became the anchor of the story. She represents the quiet strength of family, the voice of clarity and compassion when everything else feels chaotic. Her presence in Matt's life is a reminder that love, in its purest form, doesn't manipulate—it supports, it grounds, and it heals.

The introduction of Aaron and Jason was my way of widening the lens. They are not just secondary characters, but mirrors—showing Matt that he was not alone, that Claire's behavior was part of a destructive pattern, and that victims of manipulation often share similar scars. Through them, the story evolves from being about one relationship to being about a cycle of deception that traps many.

Finally, Matt's transformation is the heart of the novel. His pain is real, his self-doubt relatable, but his resilience is what matters most. Shattered Truths isn't just a story about betrayal—it is a story about reclaiming your worth, trusting your instincts, and understanding that healing doesn't mean erasing the scars. It means carrying them forward with strength.

If you've ever been in a relationship that made you question yourself, I hope Matt's journey resonates with you. I hope it reminds you that trust in yourself is the foundation of every healthy connection, and that even in the wake of betrayal, there can be renewal, clarity, and freedom.

Thank you for taking this journey with me.

— Constantino Fernandes