Hidden Between Us: Hearts of Triangulation Book 1

Jade had what most would consider the perfect life. The daughter of a doctor, and a college professor. Raised in an affluent Dallas neighborhood, she grew up surrounded by structure, opportunity, and expectations.

Jade was unbothered and focused. The kind of woman people would underestimate because she smiled easily and trusted freely.

But at twenty-two, safety started to feel like suffocation.

Accepted into a nursing program Jade moved to Houston chasing her dream career and freedom. Believing independence was the final piece to becoming who she was meant to be.

Her apartment sat high above the city, with marble countertops, floor-to-ceiling windows, with a skyline view. A quiet luxury that matched the life she was building.

Houston already felt familiar. Her best friends were there. Her people, her balance.

Dana was the voice of reason, while Brooklyn was the reason plans were never supposed to end early.

A girl's night out at an upscale lounge is where she met him.

Marcus McKinney.

A charming, smooth-talking music producer-manager wrapped in an illusion of ambition, and good looks. Marcus was everything she thought she wanted and slowly revealed himself to be everything she should've run from.

What started with flowers, late-night drives, studio vibes, and intoxicating chemistry. Unraveled into manipulation, control, and emotional chaos. Lies blurred into truths. Love blurred into survival. And Jade found herself trapped in a cycle of narcissistic abuse she didn't recognize until it nearly took everything away from her.

This is more than a story It's an educational, emotionally raw exploration of narcissistic abuse told through realism, psychology, and lived experience. Gaslighting. Triangulation. Trauma bonds and Red flags we ignore when love feels good.

Sometimes love isn't the blessing you prayed for. It's the lesson you needed to learn.

⚠️ This story explores emotional abuse, manipulation, and trauma.