Warning: this story contains dark theme about depression, sex, violence, and language that may trigger emotional trauma to people who experienced the same. Read at your own risk. Beauty is a gift from God, or so they say. Bethany Chaleir De Vera learned at a young age that beauty won't give you a free pass from heartaches when her dad left her mom to elope with another woman who wasn't even half her mom's beauty. In fact, she believes that beauty is a curse. Because if not, why do her friends continue to betray and sexually assault her? Eventually, she learned not to trust anyone, she learned how to play the game, how to use her beautiful face and curvy body as a weapon to guard her fragile and broken heart. For her, she'd rather fuck in broad daylight than make love in the dark. She'd rather shed her skin to strangers than readily offer her heart. Not until Artemus Xavier knocked on her door. But in this life led through broken pieces and betrayal, how do one unkiss her? How do one unrape her? How will he unravel her?

wattys 2020 winner • mystery/thriller ━━━━━━━━━ Everyone thinks she is dead. Even I thought so, too. While the town spoke of her dead name, Amethyst Cambray is actually alive, and she is asking for my help. ━━━━━━━━

"Jessica... Just... Just tell me when you hear my heart stop..." ****

COMPLETED Published by Bookware Publishing. --- Trigger Warning: Mention of suicide, mental illness, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. If you find these topics triggering, please do not read. This book has been published by Bookware Publishing Corporation. Print copies are available in National Bookstore and Precious Pages Bookstore branches for P159.75. You may also order online from Bookware Publishing. Print (P159.75 + shipping fee): http://www.bookwarepublishing.com/shop/25th-floor-balcony/ Ebook format (P82.50): http://www.ebookware.ph/product/25th-floor-balcony/ Thank you! --- "I'm not normal, Khalil. I'm broken. I'm toxic. Hindi madali ang maging kaibigan ko. And that's not even my depression talking. I'm just being honest." "Ayokong maging kaibigan mo, Nyx. Ayokong maging kaibigan mo lang. Mahal kasi kita. Mahal kita. Ayokong maging kaibigan mo lang kasi kulang ang maibibigay ko sa 'yo kung 'yun lang ako sa 'yo." But how could she accept the love he was offering when she couldn't even love herself? --- Mature content. Reader discretion is advised. Cover art by @rymahurt.