Page 1 of Relapse

Chapter one

Copyright © 2026 by Nova Kane. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Nova Kane asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

First edition

Editing - Stacey’s Editing Corner

Cover Design - Skull & Bone Design

Chapter two

Playlist

Chapter three

For the ones who swore they were done—

and still went back for one more taste.

Authors Note

So. You came back. Not going to lie, that's pretty fucking bold of you.

If you’re here looking for soft edges and clean recoveries, I should probably warn you now that you’re in the wrong book. This isn’t a redemption arc wrapped in a glittery bow.

It’s a goddamn spiral.

It’s the moment after you swear you’re done and then reach for it anyway. It’s wanting the thing that ruins you because well, at least it makes you feel something.

Relapse isn’t cute. It isn’t aesthetic in the way neon lights make destruction look romantic.

It’s ugly and messy. It’s choosing the chaos even when you know better.

Shit, especially when you know better.

Inside these pages you’ll find:

Drugs.Addiction.Overdoses—not mine this time.

But still close enough to taste.Possession disguised as love.Love disguised as control.Violence.Manipulation.Public humiliation.Self-destruction that feels suspiciously like freedom.Sex that isn’t gentle, because, where's the fun in that?Men who don’t know how to let go, and a girl, aka me, who doesn’t know how to leave.

There are panic attacks, fights that don’t end with apologies, and a whole lot of choices that will make you want to shake me.

Go ahead. I deserve it.

This story deals with addiction, toxic dynamics, emotional volatility, power struggles, and morally gray characters who make selfish decisions, and honestly if any of that hits too close to home, don’t be like me. Protect yourself and close the book.

I won’t take it personally. Actually—I might.

But you should still protect yourself.

Nothing here is meant to glorify destruction. But I won’t sanitize it either. Sometimes we love the things that hurt us, and sometimes we are the thing that hurts us.

Sometimes no matter how bad it is for us…we go back anyway.

You don’t have to stay. But if you do?

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.