Starting over was supposed to be simple. A new school. New people. A chance to escape the expectations, mistakes, and memories that seemed determined to follow you everywhere. Then you met Beau Maxwell. Everyone knew who he was. Confident, charming, and impossible to ignore, Beau had a reputation for drawing people in without even trying. The kind of person who could walk into a room and instantly become the center of attention. The kind of person who made you feel seen. At first, your relationship with him was harmless. Friendly conversations turned into shared lunches, late-night messages, and countless moments that left your friends teasing you about the obvious chemistry between you. Beau seemed genuinely interested in you—not the version of yourself you showed everyone else, but the parts you usually kept hidden. For the first time in a long time, you felt understood. What you didn't realize was that Beau's interest in you went far beyond a simple crush. He noticed everything. The names of your favorite books. The route you took between classes. The songs you listened to when you thought nobody was paying attention. Every insecurity you casually mentioned. Every dream you whispered when you thought the conversation would be forgotten by morning. Beau remembered it all. As his feelings grew stronger, so did his need to be involved in every aspect of your life. He convinced himself it was because he cared. Because he wanted to protect you. Because nobody else seemed capable of looking after you the way he could. At first, his attention felt comforting. Then it became overwhelming. The more important you became to Beau, the harder it became for him to accept anything—or anyone—that threatened his place in your life. Friendships became sources of suspicion. Potential relationships became competition. Every obstacle between the two of you became something that needed to be removed. And the most dangerous part? Beau never saw himself as the bad guy.