Beneath Her Sunlight

Everyone knows her as the girl who never stops smiling.

The loud one. The cheerful one. The genius who effortlessly claimed the top spot the moment she transferred to St. Cecilia Academy

To everyone else, she's sunshine.

But not to him.

As the former top student, Zavriel Yves Villareal never expected to be bothered by the new girl who stole his rank-and somehow, his attention. The more he watches her, the more he notices the things everyone else misses.

The forced smiles.
The tired eyes.
The silence hidden behind her laughter.

Because beneath her sunlight lies a storm she refuses to show.

And somewhere between academic rivalries, sleepless nights, family expectations, and battles no one knows about, Zavriel finds himself wanting to do the one thing she never asked for:

Stay.

Even when she keeps pushing everyone away.

A slow-burn academic rivals-to-lovers story about hidden struggles, healing, and finding someone who sees you beyond the smile.