Ava Baker has always been careful. Careful who she trusts, careful who she lets in, careful not to let the darkness of her past define her. But when Miles Bacardi-the boy who was once her everything-disappears the day she needs him most, she's left to face grief, secrets, and a world that doesn't forgive mistakes. Years later, they're thrown back together as college lab partners. He's colder now, sharper, and distant in ways that make her heart ache. She's hiding bruises no one can see, chaos behind every smile, and a fear that some things can't be fixed. Every glance, every argument, every accidental touch sparks memories they both tried to bury. Old feelings stir alongside new desires, and the past refuses to stay buried. Ava doesn't want saving. Miles doesn't want to care. But some connections won't be ignored-and some fires refuse to die. As secrets, lies, and lingering danger threaten to tear them apart, can they survive the past-and each other-or will everything they've fought to protect burn away?
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