Noah Diaz, a boy who's father was an alcoholic and a mother who died when he was only seven. He has no siblings, he was always alone. His father taught him to be heartless and to show no emotion. He goes to college and meets someone who will change his life forever, that someone is Ember Ramirez. Ember Ramirez, a girl who's father left when she was twelve and a mother who's a drug addict. She practically raised herself. She was only thirteen when her older brother left, he was only sixteen. She goes to college and meets someone who will change her life forever, that someone is Noah Diaz. Was Noah Diaz and Ember Ramirez meeting each other a good thing or a bad thing? Is it going to destroy them or is it going to bring them closer together? Started: 3/27/2022 Finished: 6/4/2022

He never knew life could be this way, but truly if he did, he wouldn't have cared. He cared about nothing, not even himself until her. Before her, he was empty/ Before her he knew nothing of joy or completion, and this is his journey to his life After her.

'Pain isn't remotely kind in that way. Pain wants its promised pound of flesh, ounce for ounce. It won't settle until you're left with nothing but a flaky shell of who you were. The burn of betrayal and the sting of rejection hurt, but nothing compares to the pain of being empty. Nothing hurts worse than not hurting at all and it makes no sense and perfect sense at the same time and I'm convinced I'm going crazy and I'm actually okay with that.'

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.