The morning sunlight spread across Ravenwood University's expansive campus, warming the stone walkways and glass buildings as students flooded onto the grounds. The start of a new semester always brought fresh excitement—new relationships, parties, rumours, and endless possibilities.

But for most students, the most captivating sight wasn’t a classroom—it was “Evangeline Scott.”

At that moment, a sleek red Mercedes glided into the parking lot, and conversations quieted.

All eyes immediately turned.

“There she is.”

“Oh my God, she's even more beautiful in person.”

“Do you think she’s seeing anyone?”

“I heard a senior brought her flowers yesterday, but she tossed them away.”

The whispers followed Evie as she elegantly stepped out of the car, embodying the regal presence of the Scott princess.

She appeared effortlessly perfect. Her long dark hair cascaded in short waves over her shoulders, while her large doe eyes looked both innocent and bold.

Her oversized cream sweater slipped casually off one shoulder, combined with a short black skirt and knee-high boots that elongated her legs. She wasn’t dressed provocatively, yet all eyes seemed to be on her.

Evie adjusted the strap of her designer bag before walking calmly towards campus like she couldn’t hear any of the whispers that surrounded her. She was used to it already.

At twenty–one, she had spent years being admired, watched, desired, but never touched.

“Untouchable” was the name students secretly gave to her, not because she acted arrogantly, but because no one could ever get close enough to matter.

“Evie!” Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

Lila Monroe hurried towards her with two iced coffees in her hand, her curly brown hair bouncing behind her.

“You are late,” Lila complained dramatically before handing her a drink. “And before you ask…yes, three different guys were asking where you were this morning.”

Evie sighed tiredly, “Why are Men so exhausting?”

Lila almost choked on her coffee. “You say that because you look like a literal angel and reject every guy who breathes near you.”

Evie laughed softly. “You exaggerate too much Lila.”

“No I don't.” Lila looped her arm through Evie’s.

“Seriously, what is wrong with you? Damien Cole has been chasing you for months. Half the girls on campus are obsessed with him.

Evie took a slow sip of her drink. “He is not my type.”

Lila stared at her suspiciously. “At this point, I'm convinced that nobody is your type.”

Evie’s finger tightened slightly around her cup. That wasn't true. Unfortunately, there was someone, someone she could never have. And that was exactly why no other man had ever interested her.

As they walked through campus, students openly stared. Some smiled nervously at Evie while others whispered into their phone.

A group of basketball players passed by before one of them boldly called out, “Looking beautiful as always, Evie.”

She smiled politely without slowing down.

Lila leaned closer, “See? If I looked like you, I'd be unstoppable.”

Evie shook her head. If only beauty could fix the kind of feelings she had buried inside her. Because no amount of attention from other men could erase the fact that every night before sleeping, the only person she thought about was Aiden—her brother.

The thought alone filled her chest with guilt and longing.

Aiden Scott had raised her for most of her life after their parents became emotionally distant. He spoiled her endlessly, protected her obsessively, and gave her every ounce of affection she craved.

Somewhere along the line, her innocent admiration has turned to something dangerous. Something shameful. Something she could never admit out loud.

“Earth to Evie,” Lila said, nudging her. “You zoned out again.”

“Hmm?”

Before Lila could respond, someone stepped directly into their path. Damien Cole, the campus gold boy. Tall, charming, rich and painfully confident.

His blonde hair looked perfectly messy, and his easy grin immediately made nearby girls stare and drool over him. “Morning, beautiful,” He said casually.

Lila smirked under her breath. “I'm leaving before this gets embarrassing.”

“Lila,” Evie warned.

But her friend only laughed and walked ahead.

Damien shoved his hands in his pockets, “You ignored my texts.”

“You sent numerous messages.”

“And you ignored all of them?”

Evie sighed softly. “Maybe that was your answer.”

“Ouch.” He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest.”You’re cruel.”

“You will survive.”

Instead of looking offended, Damien smiled widely at her. “That's what I like about you, every other girl acts weirdly around me.

“Maybe because you flirt with everyone.”

“I only flirt with girls worth flirting with.”

Evie rolled her eyes lightly and continued walking, but Damien followed beside her effortlessly.

“There’s a party tonight at my penthouse,” he said.

“Come with me.”

“No.”

“You didn’t even think about it.”

“I don’t need to.”

Damien laughed quietly. “Do you reject every guy automatically?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Evie finally stopped walking. For a moment, something unreadable crossed her face, because she couldn’t tell him exactly the truth.

That every time another man touched her hand or looked at her for too long, all she could think about was how none of them would ever compare to Aiden.

“You’re nice Damien,” she said gently. “But you are not what I want.”

For the first time since meeting her, Damien looked genuinely curious. “What do you want then?”

Before she could answer, her phone vibrated in her hand. The moment she looked at the screen her expression changed completely. Her eyes softened, her lips curved slightly. And suddenly she looked less, like the cold Untouchable girl everyone feared to approach and more like someone hopelessly in love.

Damien noticed immediately. “So there is someone,” he murmured.