Prologue
Avery Reed was just a simple girl from a beautiful little town with big dreams: to build a better future for herself and her family.
With nothing but hope in her heart and determination in her soul, she leaves her quiet hometown and heads to the city, believing that a better life is waiting for her.
But the city doesn't welcome her with open arms.
Jobs are difficult to find. Money runs out. Her dreams start to feel out of reach.
Until Frost Enterprises gives her a chance.
A chance that comes at a price.
Avery may have slept her way into the company, but she refuses to let that be the only thing that defines her. She works harder than anyone expects, earns her place, and slowly builds a life of her own.
Then she makes the one mistake her heart will never forgive her for.
She falls in love with her boss.
Matthew Frost.
For ten years, Avery remains by his side — his secret lover, his trusted employee, the woman who knows him better than anyone.
She gives him her heart, her body.
And Matthew?
He gives her everything except the one thing she wants most.
His love.
Then Tina Edwards, Matthew's childhood sweetheart, comes back.
And suddenly, the ten years Avery spent building a life beside Matthew mean nothing.
Or at least, that's what Matthew makes her believe.
But while Matthew is busy chasing the love he thinks he has always wanted, another man has been quietly watching Avery.
Leo Richards.
The man who sees her.
The man who appreciates her.
The man who is finally ready to publicly acknowledge her as his.
Avery.
Now everything is about to change.
Will Matthew regret the choices that cost him the woman who was always there?
Will he finally realize that perhaps he had been loving Avery all along, maybe even more than Tina?
Will he be able to win Avery back once she stops waiting for him?
Or will Leo give her the love she has always deserved?
And after ten years of heartbreak, will Avery finally allow herself to be loved...
Or will the scars Matthew left behind keep her from loving again?
