Set in modern-day Italy, primarily between the glamorous streets of Milan and the powerful mafia strongholds of Sicily, the story follows Ava De Luca, the plus-size daughter of one of Italy’s most feared mafia families. Still haunted by the murder of her twin sister and years of heartbreak from men she trusted, Ava has sworn off love and refuses to lower her standards again. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Giacomo “Jax” Romano, the charming, wealthy playboy heir to another influential mafia family, becomes intrigued by her after seeing her in an Instagram post. Used to getting everything he wants, Jax is stunned when Ava dismisses him completely, forcing him to earn her trust instead of relying on his looks or reputation. As a slow-burn romance unfolds, a hidden traitor within the De Luca family threatens to ignite a deadly mafia war, drawing Ava and Jax into a dangerous web of loyalty, betrayal, family secrets, and impossible choices where love may be their greatest risk.

Chapter OneThe DiaryThe gates of Ashwood University welcomed hundreds of freshmen that Monday morning, but Celeste Ohia noticed only one thing.She was finally here.Her father placed her suitcase on the pavement and smiled. “Call your mother every day.”“I’ll try.”“Not ‘try.’ Call.”She laughed and hugged both her parents before watching their car disappear through the gates.Taking a deep breath, she wheeled her suitcase into Hawthorne Hall.The residence hall was older than every other building on campus. Dark wooden floors stretched across the lobby, and portraits of former principals lined the walls.Behind the reception desk sat a young woman wearing a name tag.MAYA BENNETTResident Assistant.“Welcome to Hawthorne Hall,” Maya said warmly. “Name?”“Celeste Ohia.”Maya typed for a moment.Then she froze.She looked at the computer.Then at Celeste.Then back at the computer.Without saying a word, she reached into a drawer and pulled out an old brass key.A faded wooden tag hung from it.407.Maya hesitated before sliding it across the desk.“Fourth floor.”Celeste frowned.“Is something wrong?”Maya forced a smile.“No… just an old room.”It wasn’t a convincing answer.The elevator was out of service.By the time Celeste reached the fourth floor, she was already regretting bringing two heavy suitcases.As she walked down the hallway, conversations around her slowly faded.A boy carrying a laundry basket glanced at her key.His smile faded .Two girls standing outside their room lowered their voices.“…She’s in 407.”“I thought nobody stayed there anymore.”“Apparently someone does now.”They stopped talking the moment Celeste looked at them.She rolled her eyes and frowned.Weird. Room 407 stood alone at the end of the corridor.Fresh paint covered the door, but the brass handle looked worn from years of use.Celeste unlocked it.The room was… ordinary.Two beds.Two desks.A wardrobe.Large windows overlooking the forest behind the university.She laughed quietly.“So this is what everyone was scared of?”After all the strange looks she’d received, she expected something far worse.She unpacked a few clothes and placed her family photo on the desk.The silence in the room felt different now that she was alone.Not frightening.Just…Heavy.As she opened the wardrobe to hang the rest of her clothes, something slipped from the top shelf.It landed on the floor with a soft thud.“A notebook?”It was old.Its black leather cover was cracked with age, and dust clung to its edges as though it hadn’t been touched in years.There was no title.Only a name written in faded blue ink.Emily Carter.Curiosity got the better of her.She opened the first page.The handwriting was neat but hurried.If you’re reading this… then you’re staying in Room 407.A small smile crossed Celeste’s face.Someone had left behind a diary.Probably another student’s.She turned the page.Her smile quickly vanished.Whatever you do… don’t let them know you found this diary.The room suddenly felt much quieter.Someone knocked three times on her door.Knock.Knock.Knock.Celeste’s head snapped toward the sound.She hadn’t told anyone she was here.