About

Brilliant neurosurgeon Aria Bennett's life shatters when her fiancé, Dr. Ethan Cole, frames her for a patient's death. Stripped of her license and disowned by her family, she's on the brink of despair-until a near-death experience reveals a secret: Aria is a "Keeper," tasked with protecting the world from the Veiled One, a vengeful spirit trapped between worlds. As the spirit preys on her patients and manipulates Ethan into betraying her, Aria uncovers a haunting truth: the Veiled One is tied to her forgotten past... and to the love she thought she'd lost. With her sister by her side and a mysterious locket glowing with power, Aria races to stop the spirit. But when Ethan, now free from its control, begs for forgiveness, she faces an impossible choice: trust the man who broke her, or let the past consume her. Can love and faith heal even the deepest wounds? Or will the Veiled One's curse destroy everything she holds dear?

Chapter 1 The Bridge

The rain fell in sheets, cold and relentless, turning the bridge into a slick, gray ribbon. Aria Bennett's white coat clung to her like a second skin, soaked through and heavy, but she barely noticed. Her fingers trembled around the leather-bound journal in her hands-her mother's journal, the one she'd found in the attic last week, tucked behind a box of old Christmas decorations. The pages were yellowed, the ink faded, but the last entry was clear, scrawled in her mother's looping handwriting: "They'll come for you. Trust no one-especially him."

Him.

Ethan Cole.

Her throat tightened. Ten years ago, they'd stood on this same bridge, the sun warm on their faces, as he'd slipped a ring onto her finger. "Forever, Aria," he'd said, his voice soft, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Now, his name felt like a curse.

Three months ago, he'd testified against her in court. "Dr. Bennett falsified data. Her patient, Mr. Carter, died because of her arrogance. She ignored protocol, insisted on a risky surgery... and he paid the price." The jury had believed him. Her medical license was revoked. Her family disowned her-her father, a prominent judge, had stood in the courtroom, his face a mask of disappointment, and said, "You're no daughter of mine." Even Lila, her sister, had turned away, tears in her eyes, whispering, "I'm sorry, Aria. I can't... I can't stand by you."

Aria closed her eyes, the rain stinging her cheeks. The journal's last entry burned in her mind: "Find the truth at St. Mary's Convent. He's not who you think."

A car horn blared, sharp and sudden, jolting her back to the present. She opened her eyes, startled, and saw a shadowy figure step onto the bridge, his silhouette familiar even in the gloom. Ethan.

"Aria," he said, his voice rough, barely audible over the rain. "Don't do this."

She turned, her breath catching. He was closer than she'd thought-10 feet away, maybe less. His coat was dark with rain, his hair plastered to his forehead. He looked... tired. Older.

"Why do you care?" she said, her voice steady, though her heart was racing. "You destroyed me. You stood there, in front of everyone, and lied."

He took a step closer, his hands raised, as if to show he meant no harm. "I didn't... I didn't mean-"

A sharp crack split the air-a branch breaking, or maybe thunder. Aria stumbled, her foot slipping on the wet railing. For a heartbeat, she was weightless, the world tilting, the journal slipping from her grip.

"Aria!"

Darkness.