Arabella Sinclair has always done what's expected. As the poised, ever-composed daughter of the influential Sinclair family, her life has been defined by duty and perfection-a well-curated image hiding everything she's carefully kept out of the public eye. But beneath the flawless surface, Arabella yearns for something more, a life that feels real.
Dawson Mikaelsen lives in the shadows of his own past. Quiet, reserved, and haunted by choices he can't forget, he's made a life for himself by keeping others at a distance. Yet from the moment he crosses paths with Arabella, he's drawn to her warmth and elegance, sensing that she's not as perfect as she seems.
They both have secrets, hidden scars that keep them guarded, but with each unexpected encounter, their walls begin to crumble. As their lives intertwine, Arabella and Dawson find themselves caught in a slow, consuming connection that forces them to confront the very truths they've been running from.
In a world that thrives on appearances, can they truly open up to each other? And will their fragile bond survive when their pasts threaten to come to light?
Perfect for fans of emotional, slow-burn romance, this story explores the beauty and vulnerability of finding love beyond the facades, where real connection is found in shared scars and unspoken truths.
Avery Campbell has built her reputation on professionalism, precision, and keeping her emotions locked away. As head of the legal department at Cross Reality & Industries, she's the right hand to the company's brilliant, impossibly handsome CEO, Elijah Cross - and the keeper of a dangerous secret. She's been in love with him for years.
Elijah is everything Avery shouldn't want - powerful, engaged, and completely off-limits. His fiancée, socialite and influencer Sienna Hart, has the world fooled with her perfect smile... but behind closed doors, her claws come out. Everyone in the company knows she's toxic - everyone except Elijah.
When a high-stakes merger forces late nights, whispered conversations, and unguarded moments, the line between loyalty and longing begins to blur. Avery can't ignore the heat simmering beneath the surface - or the way Elijah's eyes linger a little too long.
But secrets can only stay buried for so long. As betrayal, passion, and power collide, Avery must decide whether risking everything - her career, her heart, and Elijah's future - is worth one forbidden taste of the man she's always loved.