This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2025 ©️ by MissNerdyGirl20

Plagiarism is a crime. No parts of this story may reproduce without the author's permission.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

Cover art created by me. Please do not use it without my permission. The design elements used are sourced from Canva, so I kindly ask that you refrain from stealing them as well.

I welcome constructive criticism to help me grow as a writer, and I find it valuable during my writing process. However, comparing my work or characters to those of other authors is not acceptable, particularly using my characters for such comparisons.

Before you leave these comments:

"Parang story ni ano—!"

"Parang si—"

Please just stop.

I want to make it clear, whether you're a reader or anyone else, that I will not accept comparisons between my stories or characters and those of other authors. If you choose to do so, I won't hesitate to block you. This is my story, shaped by my time and effort. If you can't respect this simple request, please feel free to leave.

I'm not here to win anyone's approval. I welcome constructive criticism, but if your comment feels hateful or backhanded and is intended to undermine others' confidence, then that's a different story, and you'll be blocked.

Trigger warnings! This story includes themes that may be distressing or triggering to some readers, so please be aware of these particular subjects.

This story addresses sensitive subjects including mental health challenges, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, bullying, societal expectations, violence, adult themes, death, abuse, and other potentially distressing topics. Please take this into account as you decide whether to continue reading. You have been advised.

Prioritize your mental well-being. If this story is upsetting for you, I recommend you stop reading.

This book isn't meant for those who crave perfect characters. The characters here will stumble, make bad decisions, and err in various ways. If you can't accept that, you might want to reconsider. If that's the case, this story might not be for you.

This is both a standalone story and a sequel to the Between the Ties Series! I recommend reading Space Between Her Stanzas (Between the Ties Series #2) and Where Fame Meets Fate (Between the Ties Series #3) first. I'll delve deeper into the friendship between Aia, Viv, and Raya here, as it could be a key highlight of this story.

This can be enjoyed on its own, but for a deeper understanding, I recommend reading Patches of Purity particularly Steele's POV in epilogue where Aia is referred to as his best friend. While she doesn't have a significant presence, she's mentioned in the later chapters of POP. This story will provide further insight into Steele and Eteri's relationship following their reconciliation as a couple.

Please take care to be responsible and respectful, and prioritize your well-being. That's all I'm asking. Thank you for being present, and I hope this story connects with you and inspires hope.