Kiss Denied

Koi is a smart, talented girl whose brilliance often goes unnoticed. Beneath her composed exterior, she hides the pain of always feeling overshadowed-especially by her older brother, Jasper, whose mental illness demands much of their mother's attention. Koi tirelessly pushes herself to excel, hoping that one day, her efforts will finally earn her the recognition she craves, particularly from the one person who matters most-her mother.

Daniel, on the other hand, is the quintessential "bad boy"-cocky, arrogant, and emotionally unavailable. He drowns his pain in drinking, smoking, and fleeting relationships. For years, Daniel and Koi have been at odds, locked in a rivalry since their early school days. Their interactions are filled with sharp words and bitter tension, but behind the facade, both carry hidden scars that shape who they are.

When circumstances force them to confront their darkest secrets-the parts of themselves they've never shared with anyone-they begin to see each other in a new light. Through their vulnerability and shared understanding of the pain they've buried, a complicated and unexpected bond forms between them. Slowly, they move past their animosity, discovering that the very walls they've built to protect themselves are the same ones keeping them apart.

As Koi and Daniel navigate their complicated pasts and fragile futures, they find solace in each other's brokenness, unraveling layers of their hearts they never thought they'd share. What begins as an unlikely connection soon transforms into something deeper, and both must confront not only their insecurities but also the possibility that love could heal even the most hidden wounds.