In a world where every person is born with a magical companion known as an Anix, power determines everything—status, privilege, and survival. Nerezza has none. Born without an Anix, she is branded defective and treated as something that should never have existed. But Nerezza refuses to let the world decide her worth. She survives with a sharp tongue, a reckless spirit, and a smile that hides more than anyone realizes. Until strange things begin to happen. Familiar places haunt her dreams. Memories she cannot explain begin bleeding into her waking life. And a mysterious stranger appears to recognize her in ways that make no sense. As Nerezza is drawn into secrets buried deep within her world, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about Anix, power, and her own existence. Nerezza was born without an Anix. The truth of why may be far worse than being born with one.

The first time I met Damian Blackwood, he looked at me like I was something he wanted to get rid of. The second time, he asked me to marry him. The third time, he kissed me. By then, I was already his wife. Six months. That was the deal. Six months of pretending to be the perfect Mrs. Blackwood, and in return, Damian would pay off the debt that had nearly destroyed my family. Simple. Except Damian had rules. Don't enter his bedroom. Don't touch his things. Don't ask about his past. And most importantly— **Don't fall in love with him.** I agreed to every rule. I broke the last one first. But I wasn't the only one breaking rules. Because somewhere between late-night arguments, stolen glances, accidental touches, and the way Damian started looking at me like I was the only woman in the room… the cold billionaire began to change. He started coming home early. He started remembering how I took my coffee. He started getting jealous. And one night, when I told him our contract was almost over, he finally lost his composure. His hand caught my wrist. His eyes darkened. "You're not leaving." I swallowed. "You said six months." "I changed my mind." "Damian—" His jaw tightened. "I don't care about the contract anymore." He pulled me closer. "I want my wife." But Damian had forgotten one thing. I had never intended to become his wife. And I certainly hadn't intended to become the woman capable of destroying his entire world.