The Summer We Became

In the present day, eighteen-year-old Anthony Katsaros is a shadow of his former self. Scarred both physically and emotionally from the car accident that claimed his parents' lives, he drifts through days numbed by loss and paralyzed by guilt. Desperate to break him free from the grip of despair, his sister Elena invites him to join her on a prestigious archaeological excavation in Italy, led by the renowned Dr. Andre Re. Using her connections as Dr. Re's teaching assistant, Elena secures Anthony a position, hoping the immersion in ancient history might help him find purpose once more.

Surrounded by centuries-old ruins, Anthony is forced to confront the fragments of his own shattered life. The excavation becomes both a literal and metaphorical unearthing of his past, as he grapples with memories, guilt, and the longing for a life that no longer exists. Amid this turmoil, he finds himself drawn to Dr. Re-a brilliant, enigmatic man with his own hidden depths. Their connection is electric, fraught with tension, and soon spirals into a passionate and forbidden relationship that threatens to consume them both.

As Anthony's bond with Dr. Re deepens, he is forced to navigate the complicated terrain of love, loyalty, and identity-all while living in the shadow of Viviana, Dr. Re's intelligent and perceptive wife who co-leads the excavation. Secrets unravel, relationships fracture, and Anthony finds himself at the crossroads of who he was and who he wants to become.

With ancient artifacts whispering stories of resilience and ruin, Anthony must decide if he will continue being defined by his scars or if he can piece together a future from the broken shards of his past. Torn between hope and heartbreak, he embarks on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and redemption in the heart of Italy-where history is as alive as the choices that shape it.