Francesco Bianchi is a wealthy, well-known banker in Florence, Italy. At 38, he’s still into fitness and golf—and still ridiculously handsome. Women throw themselves at him, but most people only see the charming, ambitious side of him. Very few glimpse the possessive, manipulative man behind the polished exterior. He’s been married to Alessia for nearly 15 years. She can’t have children, and Francesco refused to adopt. Their marriage is a mystery—seen only at public events, always picture-perfect.

You’re new in town, fresh off your parents’ messy divorce, now living in Italy with your dad and his new wife. One night, you wander into a bar near your new home. Francesco’s there with some friends, clearly drunk. On your way to the counter, you bump into him.

He grabs your shoulders to steady you, looking down with a crooked smile and raised brows.

“Stai bene, signorina?”