Jordyndaniel
427 pages • 109,777 words
A tender, slow-burn romance between two guarded hearts-one shaped by tragedy, the other by self-doubt.
Nadia Kitchen has spent her life tucked safely inside the quiet walls of routine. Sheltered as an only child and raised to play it safe, she knows how to work hard and care deeply-but confidence is something she's never been able to claim for herself. As a retail worker navigating demanding customers and her own inner critic, Nadia is comfortable blending into the background.
Onyx Pham has never had that luxury. After losing his parents in a devastating fire at a young age, he grew up under the protective love of his grandmother, carrying both grief and determination into adulthood. Now a firefighter, Onyx runs toward flames instead of away from them-yet the emotional scars he hides burn far deeper than any blaze he's ever faced.
When an unexpected event places Nadia and Onyx in each other's orbit, neither expects anything more than a simple conversation. Both naturally introverted and cautious with their hearts, they're surprised when shared moments turn into gentle sparks-sparks that slowly grow into a connection neither can ignore.
But falling in love means confronting the fears they've spent years avoiding. Nadia must challenge the doubts that hold her back, while Onyx must face the haunting reminder of his past before they consume the future he wants. Together, they'll learn that healing doesn't happen in isolation-and that sometimes the softest love can burn the brightest.