Sugar and Smoke

Claire is nineteen when she leaves her past behind and moves to New York City to study psychology at NYU. Determined to start over, she buries the memories of a childhood shaped by fear, silence, and survival.

But new beginnings don't come easy.

When she crosses paths with rising film star Ethan Malik, their connection is instant-and impossible to ignore. Thrust into a world of flashing cameras and relentless scrutiny, Claire quickly learns that fame has a darker side. The media tears her apart, fans question her worth, and the insecurities she fought so hard to escape begin to resurface.

Just as she starts to find her footing, her life takes a dangerous turn.

Secrets long hidden begin to surface-starting with her brother, whose life is far more complicated than she ever imagined. Suddenly, Claire is pulled into a world far beyond her control, where trust is fragile, and the stakes are deadly.

In a city that never sleeps, Claire must decide who she is willing to trust... and how much she is willing to risk to protect the people she loves.

TW: story contain mention of violence, substance abuse, childhood trauma / your mental health matters