Something like Steady

Ten years ago, Serena Vale disappeared.

After her billionaire father was accused of murdering a man in cold blood, the scandal consumed everything. The headlines, the trials, the cameras waiting outside their home-it destroyed her family long before the court ever could. So her mother took what was left of their money, changed their names, and disappeared with her daughter before the world could ruin her too.

Now living under the name Nina Carter, Serena wants only one thing: a normal life.

At Bellmere University, nobody knows who she really is. She keeps her head down, avoids attention, and buries the past deep enough that sometimes even she can almost forget it exists.

Then she meets Elias.

What starts as anonymous emails about class assignments slowly becomes late-night conversations, inside jokes, and the kind of connection Nina never thought she'd allow herself to have. With him, she feels seen without feeling exposed. Safe without needing to hide.

Until one confession changes everything.

Because Elias has his own history with the Vale family.

And once the truth comes out, love begins to rot into something darker.

Anonymous messages start appearing