After enduring years of emotional abuse from her adoptive family, the Finns, and a devastating betrayal by her fiancé Mark—who cheated on her with her stepsister Kate—Claire Bennett leaves everything behind to rebuild her life in Empire City. Armed with talent and quiet determination, she lands a job at a prestigious architectural firm, where she finds purpose working on the high-profile Empire Tower project.Chosen personally by the enigmatic and aloof CEO Damian Blackwood for her design skills, Claire is thrust into close proximity with a man who seems as untouchable as he is captivating. Though she’s wary of men and still nursing old wounds, Damian’s quiet kindness and unwavering professionalism chip away at her guarded heart. Rumors swirl about him being engaged, but Claire refuses to care—or so she tells herself.Complicating things is Ryan, a persistent coworker who doesn’t seem to understand that Claire isn’t interested. Her only solace is Audrey, her best friend and confidante, who supports her through the emotional minefields of work, healing, and the slow, reluctant thawing of her heart.As Claire tries to stay focused on her career, she finds herself drawn deeper into a connection she never expected—with a man who might just be more broken than she is. But will the ghosts of their pasts allow them to build something real? Or will the truth behind Damian’s secrets tear it all apart?