Love Was the Cruelest Excuse

Mona Cole suffers humiliation to save the "ill" Joe Bale, only to discover it was all a cruel test disguised as love. Shattered, she finds unexpected support from his older brother, Ian Bale. When Joe's deceit leads to her grandmother's death, Mona vows revenge. With Ian's help, she rises from the ashes, returning to expose Joe's betrayal. In the end, she finds her true family—and a lasting love with Ian.