UGLY

Golden grew up carrying the weight of cruel words. "Too dark." "Too skinny." "Too African." School hallways, neighborhood corners, even family gatherings-colorism, featurism, and racism seemed stitched into every part of her existence. By her mid-20s, she's learned to survive in silence, masking her scars with sharp comebacks and long work hours at a dead-end retail job.

Then she crosses paths with Malik "Stone" Carter, a cold-hearted hustler with a reputation for breaking bones and never falling in love. But Malik notices the very things the world told Golden to hate, her skin that glows like midnight silk, her full lips, her thick curves, her proud African features-and he becomes obsessed with showing her how wrong everyone else has been.

Though his world is dangerous, Malik softens around Golden. He becomes her provider, her shield, and eventually, her sugar daddy-not just spoiling her with gifts, but investing in her dreams. With his backing, she builds U.G.L.Y. (Uplifting Girls, Loving Yourself), a beauty and empowerment brand dedicated to teaching young Black women to embrace their natural beauty.

But love with a man like Malik doesn't come without cost. His enemies see Golden as leverage, and the deeper she falls for him, the more she has to confront not only his world but her own long-buried wounds.