The story revolves around Elara and Liam, who meet during a summer study abroad program in Italy. Elara, a budding photographer, sees the world in colors and light, while Liam, a quiet writer, captures emotions in words. They fall deeply in love amidst the beautiful backdrop of cobblestone streets and sun-drenched vineyards. Their connection is intense and feels like destiny. However, their idyllic world shatters when Liam receives a life-altering diagnosis shortly after they return home. He's determined to shield Elara from the pain, fearing he'll become a burden. He starts pushing her away, creating distance and conflict, hoping she'll move on and find someone who can offer her a future he can't guarantee.

Henley agrees to pretend to date millionaire Bennett Calloway for a fee, falling in love as she wonders - how is he involved in her brother's false conviction? ****** Henley Linden's brother is in jail for a crime he didn't commit, and she'll take any job to raise the money needed to free him. Soon, she's agreed to pretend to date millionaire Bennett Calloway for ten thousand dollars, so his mother will ease up the pressure on him to find a wife. But once Henley is enmeshed in Bennett's world, he falls for her, and she starts to have feelings for him as well. Despite her romance with Bennett, as she grows closer to the Calloways, Henley realizes they are somehow involved in her brother's conviction. Journeying deeper into a world of wealth and conspiracies, Henley is forced to rely on Bennett, though doing so could cost her everything. [[word count: 200,000-250,000 words]]