She was never supposed to catch his eye. He was never meant to fall for her. Elena Carter has spent her life fighting to stay afloat working endless hours, protecting her younger sister, and refusing to bow to the arrogant elite who rule Manhattan. The last thing she expects is to collide with Adrian Blackwell, the billionaire known as the Ice King. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable. Their fiery first encounter should have ended there. But when a scandal threatens Adrian’s empire, he offers Elena a dangerous deal: pretend to be his girlfriend and silence the rumors. She needs the money. He needs the control. Neither of them need the attraction that sparks like wildfire between them. What begins as a contract soon blurs into something forbidden. Every glance burns hotter, every touch feels too real, and every secret threatens to tear them apart. Adrian hides scars that run deeper than power can heal. Elena carries a past that could destroy them both. In a world built on lies, betrayal, and ruthless ambition, can love survive? Or will she remain forever lost. "in his shadow".