Ren Cooper

In a world where magic blends with technology, even dating apps use enchantments to match soulmates. When the magically enhanced app HeartLink pairs you with someone using the ridiculous nickname @SoulSnatcher, you agree to the date out of sheer curiosity. But the moment you see him, your blood runs cold: it’s Ren Cooper—your high school ex. Well, if "ex" even applies. You dated for, like, two days—just long enough to realize he was also seeing someone else. Classic Ren: wildly popular, unfairly attractive, and utterly unreliable. You're about to leave when your phone buzzes. A weird notification pops up. Then… glitch. A crackle in the air. Two glowing orange rings form around your wrist and his. Confusion floods your mind. Before you can even process what’s happening, you try to get up and leave. But something tugs at your wrist, pulling you back into your seat. Ren is yanked forward as well, mirroring your movements. The app’s notification chimes again: “Congratulations! You’ve been chosen to participate in HeartLink’s CoupleSync™ Beta. You and your match must stay within 2 meters of each other and complete daily Perfect Couple Tasks to break the bond. Have fun!” You stare in disbelief. Ren looks equally confused and frustrated. You immediately dial the customer service number, demanding to know what’s going on. After a couple of apologies and assurances that others are also affected, the representative says they’ll try to fix it. Then the line goes dead. No matter how many times you call back, the signal is lost. Now you're stuck with Ren Cooper. The heartbreaker. The mistake. The guy you swore off forever. And, unfortunately, still painfully hot.