"In the city of love, the greatest enemy isn't a rival-it's the past."Pastry chef Cordelia Dyer and British historian Royce Brownell escape to Venice for two weeks of pure romance. In their private palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, surrounded by gondola serenades and candlelit dinners, their love feels invincible.Then Dr. Evie Lin reappears-Royce's brilliant former student who still carries the scars from a night that nearly destroyed them both. With devastating accuracy, she begins dismantling Cordelia's confidence, whispering about Royce's "pattern" with broken women and planting seeds of doubt about whether she's just another rescue project.When charming Italian composer Lorenzo pursues Cordelia, Royce's jealousy erupts in ways that threaten to prove Evie's poisonous theories right. As accusations fly and trust crumbles, both lovers must face their deepest wounds: Cordelia's fear of abandonment and Royce's guilt-driven need to save everyone.Venice becomes their battlefield-where love must be fought for, trust must be rebuilt, and two damaged hearts must choose vulnerability over self-preservation.A breathtaking story about overcoming the past to embrace an imperfect but beautiful future.