Hlelolwenkosi Zulu, a bright and ambitious 21-year-old university student at the University of Cape Town, dreams of a life filled with love and fulfillment. Growing up in a close-knit community, she always believed in the power of true love. However, her life takes a drastic turn when her parents arrange a marriage with Sbanisethu Khumalo, a wealthy but emotionally distant man known for his charm and dangerous temper.
As Hlelolwenkosi enters this loveless union, she finds herself trapped in a world where her dreams of happiness and independence are suffocated. Sbanisethu, while maintaining a façade of respectability, has a secret: he is still deeply involved with his high school girlfriend, Thandiwe, who frequently flaunts their relationship in front of Hlelolwenkosi. The emotional toll of witnessing their public displays of affection weighs heavily on her, amplifying her feelings of isolation and despair.
Amidst the chaos, Hlelolwenkosi discovers a hidden strength within herself. She begins to seek solace in her studies, finding comfort in literature and art, and gradually builds a supportive network of friends who encourage her to reclaim her life. With their help, she starts to explore her passion for graphic design and digital marketing, aiming to create a life of her own.
As tensions escalate at home, Hlelolwenkosi confronts the reality of her situation. With each passing day, she must decide whether to stay in a toxic relationship or summon the courage to break free. Through self-discovery and resilience, she learns that love should never come at the cost of her self-worth.
The journey becomes a powerful testament to her determination to rise above her circumstances. Hlelolwenkosi's story unfolds as she grapples with the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness in a world that seems determined to keep her down.
Will the fall in love with each other?
When all hope is lost, what can one do? What happens when someone you love changes and becomes the person you most fear? Do you hide? Do you speak up? Do you fall in line? Do you give up, lose yourself, and hope for the inevitable?
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Parker Avery is a creative teacher and artist striving to find happiness by starting over in a new city. Her past is filled with lies, abuse, betrayal, and torture; she's attempting to find herself again.
Bailey Adams is a kind, artistic college student endeavoring to survive the abuse she endures daily from her girlfriend. She never expected her life to turn out this way, and she's slowly losing herself.
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What happens when Parker and Bailey's paths cross? Will these two let their walls down enough to open up and trust someone after all that they have been through? Or will they push themselves further away, believing that a happy ending is never genuinely possible?
If you desire answers to such questions, you'll have to read how this incredible story unfolds.
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Please note that the imagery used in my chapters are not 100% mine. Nevertheless, the majority of content I've created is derived from royalty-free websites. I further photoshopped them to fit both of my main character's art styles where I deemed necessary. With that being said, any images that do not have my 'cbakaloff' watermark on them belong to their rightful owners.
⚠️ Warning: ⚠️ This story contains strong language, possible trigger moments, details of physical/mental/sexual abuse, a few mentions of rape and other forms of sexual violence, lesbian material, and mature sexual content. Be aware that homophobic comments will not be tolerated. Read at your own risk.