"Through the Cracks

Valeria Cruz-Montenegro is Monarch U's golden girl. Wealthy, witty, and wrapped in designer labels, she has it all-beauty, influence, and boys lined up like waitlists. She doesn't do relationships, only reputations. And hers? Untouchable.

Then there's Elian Ward. Quiet. Brilliant. Cocky in the most understated way. He's the one professors love, classmates fear in debates, and girls fantasize about-until he turns them down. He's not into parties. Not into drama. And definitely not into Valeria.

Which makes her want him more.

When they're forced to work together on an exclusive thesis mentorship program, sparks fly-but not the romantic kind. She pushes. He pushes back harder. She flirts. He challenges. She's all charm and champagne; he's hoodies and unreadable glances. But under his calm, he's chaos-and she knows it.

The tension builds fast. One heated argument in the library turns into a kiss she can't stop thinking about. One study session turns into her in his lap, pretending she doesn't care.

He's the only guy who doesn't fall for her act.

And she might be the only girl who could undo his perfectly guarded world.