Why Does The Protagonist In Troubled Waters Leave Home?

Makayla Hopkins - I promised myself I’d never get involved with a politician, but Stacey Sherbourn changed everything. Now I know the truth, and it’s uglier than I ever imagined. Her lies aren’t just personal—they threaten everything I care about. Armed with proof of her corruption, I’ve come to the Colorado Rockies to stop her before she can destroy the pristine wilderness she’s so eager to sacrifice. But what I didn’t plan for was Lilac Ray. Fierce, sharp, and breathtaking, she’s everything Stacey isn’t—and everything I can’t afford to be distracted by. Lilac Ray- When Makayla Hopkins arrived in the Rockies, I knew she wasn’t just another hiker seeking solace. She came with purpose—and danger. My half-sister Stacey had already done enough to destroy these mountains, and I wasn’t about to trust her ex, no matter how determined or charming she seemed. But Makayla’s not who I expected. Beneath her cool, tech-savvy exterior, there’s a fire that matches my own. The closer we get to taking Stacey down, the more I realize the real danger might not be trusting Makayla—it might be falling for her. Book 6 in the Ravenwood Series. It can be read as a standalone. However, to learn about the characters and past events that may be referenced, you should check out the rest of the series. Book 1 - The Princes of Ravenwood (staring Makayla's triplet cousins Darius, Elijah, and Forrest) Book 2 - Chasing Kitsune Book 3 - Expect the Unexpected Book 4 - Out of My League (staring Makayla's cousin Reese) Book 5 - Man's Best Wingman (staring Makayla's cousin Clay featuring her in a supporting role)

At ten years old, my parents divorce, each remarry, and abandon me to be raised by Grandma. When we see each other again, it's the summer after the College Entrance Exam. Mom and Dad both walk into the restaurant to book private dining rooms, and it just so happens to be my turn to seat the guests. Mom links arms with her stepdaughter, Alesha Callen, and smiles proudly as she instructs, "My daughter scored a 625 in the College Entrance Exam. We'll take your biggest room." Dad, holding his son Robby's hand, claims the room right next door. "It's my son's seventh birthday. We'll need a large room, too." They lock eyes for a brief moment before quickly looking away. Mom chuckles. "Throwing such a big birthday party for someone so young? You certainly spoil him." "Your daughter's the impressive one," Dad replies politely. "She's got a bright future ahead of her." And yet, neither of them recognizes me—their biological daughter and Jethroville's top scorer in this year's College Entrance Exam. I wipe the grease from my hands and carefully note down their requests. Mom orders a table full of seafood, saying that it's Alesha's favorite. Dad hands over a birthday cake he baked himself, instructing me to place it in the fridge. Just before they walk off, Mom asks offhandedly, "What about the other one? I haven't heard anything from her at all. Did she fail the exam?" Dad blinks. "I have no idea. She hasn't contacted me." I don't bother looking up. I just continue replying to a message from the real estate agent. Once I sell the old apartment Grandma left me, I'll finally be able to go somewhere far, far away with absolutely nothing holding me back.

On the day my family buys a new car, everyone excitedly starts making plans for the future. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, they'll drive my brother, Jake Walt, to the science museum. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, they'll take my mom to the gym. Most importantly, they'll drive my younger sister, Emily Walt, to and from college every day. Even though she's required to live on campus, my parents can't bear to let her commute alone, so they'd rather make the six-mile round trip every single day. They map out everyone's schedule except mine. When I leave for graduate school, I take a rideshare by myself. But after Emily uses my payment account to buy herself a new phone, I no longer have enough money to pay the toll and the driver abandons me at a highway rest stop. Stranded under the blazing sun, I call home, hoping for help. Instead, I'm met with nothing but blame. My parents scold me for inconveniencing them. "We're taking Emily to school. You expect us to turn around and waste all that gas?" My childhood friend, Patrick Green, says I brought it on myself. "I warned you not to go so far away for grad school. This is your own fault." Jake mocks me. "You made good money over the summer, didn't you? You're old enough to figure this out yourself instead of expecting everyone to rescue you." Looking at the money left in my wallet—the rest of my summer earnings already "borrowed" to buy Emily's college supplies—I finally realize the truth. In this family, I'm never treated like a daughter. When the elevator is overloaded, they push me out without hesitation. When the new house's fingerprint lock only allows five users, they give the last spot to Emily's dog instead of me. If there's never been room for me in this family, then it's time to stop trying to force my way in.

Elena Hart has spent her entire life carrying the weight of her family feud she never asked for. Raised to despise the Ashford,she knows exactly who are enemies are or at least she thinks she does. Everything changes the night she meets Adrian Ashford, the heir to the family her parents blame for years of misfortune and loss. Adrian is the last person she should want. Yet beneath his cold reputation is a man burdened by expectations,loneliness and wounds that mirror her own.what begins as a stolen conversation and Emotionless attraction soon grows into a love neither of them can control. But love comes at a price. Their relationship sparks an outrage,reopening old wounds and exposing secrets both families have buried for years. As accusation fly and loyalties are tested. Elena finds herself torn between the people who raised her and the man who makes her feel truly seen. With every choice pushing her closer to heartbreak,Elena must decide whether love is worth fighting for when the entire world seems determined to tear it apart. Sometimes leaving is the safest option and sometimes staying is the bravest thing you'll ever do. And sometimes,the person you have a thousand reasons to leave is the one reason you want to stay.

I was the last one to find out that Rowan River was going to be a dad. When I arrived at the hospital, I saw him giving orders to his staff. "Don't let the news of the baby leak out. If Angela finds out, she'll definitely come back and cause a scene." I had liked him for ten years, and a year ago, I confessed my feelings to him. At the time, he said, "Wait until you finish school and come back, then we'll be together." I found it laughable. This time, though, I didn't react like before. I didn't yell at him or ask why he had lied to me. Instead, I boarded a plane and left the country, agreeing to marry the guy who had been pursuing me recently. From that moment on, I no longer loved Rowan.

When I heard my younger brother was bringing his girlfriend home, I took annual leave, bought gifts, and flew back for the occasion. The moment I arrived, I found my luggage dumped carelessly outside the front door. My parents looked surprised to see me, but quickly recovered. "Ryan's girlfriend only wants to marry an only child, so we've been telling people Ryan has no siblings. You need to stay somewhere else for now and introduce yourself as a distant cousin from now on. "Don't blame us. Everything in this family will belong to your brother eventually. A daughter leaves when she marries." As they spoke, Ryan tossed the last of my belongings outside as though they were trash. "Finally. All that junk was an eyesore." My fingers slowly tightened around my purse, which still held the heavy gold bracelet I had bought as a welcome gift. Fine. Since I was only a distant cousin, they could stop living in my house. I turned around and pulled out my phone. "Hello. I'd like to sell the house in Maple Gardens. List it twenty thousand below market."