Jo March's life has never been easy. Growing up in poverty and losing her father early on, Jo stepped up as the family's provider, dropping out of high school to support her mother. Desperate for income, Jo turned to high-end escort work, her sharp wit and beauty making her a sought-after figure in that world. One fateful evening, Jo's life changes when she arrives at the penthouse of Cole Leprino, a wealthy businessman known for his opulent lifestyle. What starts as a routine appointment quickly deepens into something more. Cole is captivated by Jo's intelligence and authenticity, and Jo finds herself drawn to Cole's vulnerability and the genuine connection he offers. As their relationship grows, Jo introduces Cole to simple pleasures, while he opens her eyes to a world of luxury. However, their bond faces significant challenges. Jo's friend Andie warns her about the dangers of getting too involved, while Cole's social circles look down on his relationship with Jo. Despite these obstacles, their connection strengthens as they both discover what they've been missing in their lives. Just as Jo begins to envision a new future with Cole, shocking revelations threaten to unravel everything. A mysterious figure from Cole's past and a looming health crisis within Jo's family cast shadows over their happiness. Will their love withstand these new trials, or will their dreams be shattered?
As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams?
*****
Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]