Doris Matthews may seem quiet and reserved at first glance, but don't let appearances fool you-she's bold, witty, and unafraid to speak her mind. At 23, this fiercely independent artist has built a life of her own, with only her best friend, Anna Longmore, by her side. She's happy with her art gallery and the freedom it brings... until one fateful night at a masquerade party.
There, she meets Jaxon Samuel, a mysterious client who commissions her for a painting that quickly turns into a passionate obsession. As Doris grows closer to Jaxon, she begins to believe in a fairy tale romance. But not all fairy tales have happy endings.**
When Doris receives an urgent letter from her estranged uncle, she is pulled into a shocking twist of fate. A visit to his remote cottage reveals secrets darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined.
What twisted truths are buried in her family's past? And how will Doris face the explosive revelation that could shatter everything she thought she knew about her life-and the man she loves?