Publisher's Synopsis
Rene had always believed that love was enough. That if you gave your heart wholly-flaws, fears, and all-loyalty would protect you. For years, she stood by Alan, her husband, the man who pulled her out of brokenness and built her back up with promises and plans for a forever. They had it all-or so it seemed. A beautiful home, social respect, and a love that appeared untouchable. But beneath the surface, shadows danced in silence. Secrets had roots, and loyalty had a cost.
Barbie, Rene's childhood best friend, knew all of Rene's weak points-her trust, her love, her dreams. But what Rene didn't know was that Barbie had her own dreams. Ones laced with envy, resentment, and a twisted obsession with having what Rene had. From the outside, Barbie was supportive, ride-or-die, and the godmother to Rene's happiness. But behind closed doors, jealousy grew like mold. And when the opportunity to shatter Rene's world presented itself, Barbie didn't hesitate.
Alan had been away on a business trip, a routine trip that usually left Rene lonely but confident. This time, Barbie suggested a girls' night out-a quick escape to a lounge where music wrapped around you like silk and temptation lingered like perfume in the air. Barbie's motive wasn't just fun. She invited Todd, a man she once slept with, a man she knew had HIV, a man who never told anyone. Tall, caramel-toned, dreadlocks hanging low with a smile that melted defenses-Todd was the kind of man women got careless with. And Barbie knew Rene needed just one brush with danger.
Rene wasn't naïve. She was loyal. But that night, after a spilled drink, a hypnotic smile, and a few too many cocktails, Rene's loyalty faded into loneliness. One night with Todd, and everything spiraled. Days later, her body felt different. Then came the sickness, the doctor's visit, and the cold truth: she was HIV positive. But the heartbreak didn't stop there-she was also pregnant.
Rene tried to hold onto her marriage, to tell herself Alan would understand. But when she lied and said she stayed with Barbie that night, Alan already knew the truth. Barbie had already told him otherwise. Rene's lie unraveled everything.
Caught between betrayal from her best friend, abandonment from her husband, and the weight of a deadly secret growing inside her-Rene's world collapsed. Alone, shamed, and shattered, she withdrew from everyone. But then came Malik. Smooth, patient, and understanding, Malik didn't flinch at her truth. He didn't run. He stayed. But even Malik had shadows.
This is Rene's story. Not just of how she was caught in a web-but how she learned to burn it down. A journey of tears, revenge, survival, and the rediscovery of power.
She was betrayed, but not broken.
She was infected, but not defined.
She was left, but never lost.
This is just the beginning...
