Neglected by her father and stepmother since childhood, Elara Rhode hires Ethan Walden as her personal bodyguard—only to fall in love with him and begin pursuing his affection. But Ethan remains distant. Unbeknownst to Elara, he is secretly the heir to the powerful Walden family—and harbors feelings for her stepsister instead. Devastated and furious, Elara impulsively marries Charlie Shaw, a man trapped in a vegetative state.