In the wake of an unthinkable tragedy that claimed the lives of both her parents, Rayne found herself thrown into the cold, harsh world of an orphanage. For months, she clung to the hope of finding a new family to call her own, she had a slither of hope that she had a second chance at life. When the day finally came that she was chosen for adoption, Rayne's heart bloomed. Her new family showered her with love and affection, granting her every wish and providing unwavering support. The bond she formed with her step-brother was instant and unbreakable, the two becoming inseparable from the moment they met. However, there was something different about her brother, a peculiar air of mystery that clung to him. He was a man of few words, fiercely protective of Rayne, and at times, seemingly consumed by his own thoughts. Rayne adored her brother, but his constant presence left her feeling stifled. It almost felt like he didn't want her to live, and the only way he was happy is if she was close to him. Rayne was a beacon of innocence and beauty, her intelligence as captivating as her eyes. Yet, beneath the surface of her brother's deafening silence, lurked a dangerous and volatile nature. His unpredictability and possessiveness were whispered warnings to those who dared cross his path, for they knew that to harm Rayne would mean facing the wrath of a man who would stop at nothing to protect her. He didn't want her with anyone else, he made it clear on the very first day he saw her. She was his. ___ 🏆 #1 Maturethemes 🏆 #1 Stepbrother 🏆 #1 Jealously 🏆 #5 Stepsister 🏆 #21 Dark Romance ___ DARK ROMANCE MATURE/EXPLICIT CONTENT

BOOK 1 in the Drowning/Bully Standalone Series. WARNING: This book contains intense bullying, explicit scenes, triggering language, violence, and psychological content. I told Caden to cancel his stupid party. He told me, with that infuriating smirk, "Why? Planning to be my snack tonight?" Caden has made my life hell for four years, ever since our parents got married. He's gorgeous, arrogant, and the kind of boy Stanford girls trip over themselves for. Me? I'm the only one who sees right through him. He's a blatant bully, the devil who turned me into a surreptitious one. And now we're stuck sharing the same off-campus apartment for our entire freshman year. Living together means new rules, no boundaries... and a tension I never expected. The closer we get, the harder it becomes to remember why we ever hated each other in the first place- and nothing threatens our pride more than that. *** Step into an adventure of passion, forgiveness, and second chances. This is Caden and Madison's story.