In the depths of 1920s society, Alexei Ivanov, a devoted lover of classic literature, finds himself infatuated by the captivating presence of a courtesan, Cecilia Price. Despite his strong feelings for her, Cecilia makes it clear that she sees their relationship strictly as a business transaction, offering companionship only in exchange for financial compensation. Her rejection leaves Alexei devastated, clinging to the hope of a deeper connection that she denies. When Cecilia succumbs to a prevalent illness of the era, Alexei's fragile psyche shatters, consumed by a toxic mix of love, obsession, and rage. Blaming Cecilia's wealthy clientele for her demise, he embarks on a dark path of vengeance, seeking retribution for what he perceives as their role in her death. In a chilling descent into madness, Alexei becomes a shadowy figure, haunted by his twisted interpretation of love and justice.
When Jane Madarang's neighbor Natalie kills herself and leaves behind cryptic instructions, it's up to Jane and her classmates to unearth deadly secrets.
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Natalie Driscoll is dead.
She threw herself out a window and left her neighbor Jane to unravel their town's darkest secrets. Following Natalie's instructions leads Jane to three other high school students who all have something to hide. The four of them must carry out Natalie's final errand while solving the mysteries written in her diary. But the secrets they unearth may be far more dangerous than what they ever imagined.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of suicide, violence and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]