Defensive Nationalism Mga Nobela at Kwento

Kiana Cathryss Devereaux has spent the last ten years trying to outrun the ghosts of her past. Once a bullied scholarship student at an elite prep school, she is now a hardworking nurse buried under a mountain of debts and family responsibilities. When her 10-year high school reunion rolls around, she braces herself to face her old wealthy tormentors, fully expecting to be the underdog once again. Tyler Kezter Rosier—the city’s most elusive billionaire bachelor, a brilliant doctor, and a former classmate who barely knew Kiana existed back then. Tyler is dealing with his own nightmare: an relentless ex-girlfriend he desperately needs to get off his back, and the heavy pressure of the media spotlight. When a chance encounter in the hotel hallway leads to a spontaneous, defensive decision, Kiana walks into the ballroom on Tyler’s arm. They announce a fake engagement. The ruse works perfectly at first, completely silencing the high-society mean girls and giving Kiana her long-awaited moment of redemption. But the triumph is short-lived. A stray camera catches the moment, and photos of the "happy couple" instantly go viral, sparking a massive PR storm. The fake engagement quickly spirals out of control when Tyler’s terminally ill mother sees the news and finds new hope in her son's impending wedding. Bound by guilt and love for his mother, Tyler pleads with Kiana to keep up the charade. In exchange, he offers a lifeline: financial security and a guaranteed future for Kiana’s younger sister. With too much at stake, Kiana has no choice but to agree to the deal. As they are forced to navigate public appearances, family dinners, and flashing cameras, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Every lingering touch, protective gesture, and "fake" kiss starts to feel dangerously real.