Do you remember the old bedtime story your parents told you? You know, the one about the ugly duckling? How that little duckling was left out in the world, feeling sorry for herself. But in the end, she turns into a beautiful swan, everyone admired. Well, this story is of a similar kind.
Esperanza was the daughter of two supermodels, the richest in the whole world. But, instead of the beautiful child their parents hoped to have, she turned out wrong. She was ugly. Hence, she was the object of amusement to a sadist named Alejandro.
He was the face that haunted her dreams. They thought they got rid of him, and that he was left to rot in Europe. But, no. He just had to come back and follow her in New York. When she thought she couldn't take it anymore, she takes her final stand. She swore that one day she'll be the most gorgeous person anyone's eyes will have laid upon. She swore that she'll make him fall in love with her. Then, she'll crush his heart.
Ella is falling apart trying to live a "perfect" high school life. Then she meets Ren, who can see past her scars. Suddenly perfection isn't her only option.
*****
Ella Volkov is a gifted music student, but she's depressed and starting to crack under the pressure of high school. Her overbearing father won't even let her choose what instrument she plays. Then she finds herself alone at a party with Ren, her best friend's crush. She'd always thought he was rude, but after that night he's all Ella can think about. Now she's trapped. If Ella dates Ren, it will ruin her friendship with Jenny. But if she stays true to Jenny, she's losing the one person who can see past her scars. It's up to Ella to decide if she will forge her own path, or stay in the "perfect" box designed for her...
Content and/or Trigger Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, violence, sexual assault.
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