Empire High

The Untouchables. That's what everyone calls them. At least, it's my best friend's nickname for them. And since she's the only one that talks to me at my new school, I'll take her word for it. The nickname probably comes from the fact that they're exorbitantly wealthy. Old wealth. The kind that isn't flaunted around. But you can tell by the way they carry themselves. Or maybe the name just refers to the fact that they're so beautiful it's almost hard to look at them.

My mom fell in love with a monster. I know he’s dangerous. And I know my mom never wanted him in my life. I don’t want him in mine, either. But I’m being forced to live with him. I’m stuck in his haunting apartment in a world where I don’t belong. A world full of beautiful people with ugly souls. A world filled with secrets. And the one person I thought I could rely on was Matt. But he says my new family is a disease. Does that make me toxic, too? Is that why Matt wants to keep me his dirty little secret?

I never meant to break the Untouchables. And I’ll do whatever it takes to piece them back together. Even it means embracing what I most feared. I’m going to become one of the elite. I’m going to live like an Untouchable. And not even Isabella will be able to break me. Ever. Again. But while I’m focused on outsmarting Isabella and fixing my mistakes, I forget that the stakes are so much bigger than who’s the most popular at Empire High. I’m playing with life and death. I should have seen it coming. After all...he’d betrayed me before.

Matthew Caldwell is NYC's most eligible bachelor. Charming. Gorgeous. Wealthy. Great with kids. Broken. Sixteen years ago, he lost everything. He made a vow to never love again. But suddenly everyone in his life is acting like a matchmaker. He can't help but wonder if a broken vow is better than a broken heart. There's just one problem. Only one woman in the city has caught his attention. And it's the only woman he can't have.

I intended to keep my promises to you. I swear. I loved you, Matthew Caldwell—with my whole heart. I think a piece of me will always love you. But it all came crashing down when I realized you didn’t keep your promises to me. I refuse to take any of my days for granted. I learned that the hard way. So I’m sorry. But I can’t keep my promises to someone who didn’t keep theirs. XOXO, Brooklyn Sanders

I was locked in a cage for sixteen years. But I lived in it willingly. And I didn’t come back to this city for a boy who forgot about me when I was kidnapped. Matthew Caldwell broke his promises to me. And I broke every single promise I made him. But he helped heal my heart once before. And I think maybe he’s the only one who can help me now.

Matthew Caldwell never forgot about me. I know that now. And a part of me wants to give us a second chance. When I’m in his arms, I feel sixteen again. He takes away my pain. But I’m worried he’ll never forgive me…

I will never take a single day for granted again. Despite everything, I’m still here. I’m still breathing. And I’m not going anywhere. Even though 16 years have passed, my heart still belongs to Matthew Caldwell. And I think it’s about time we start our forever.