Stephanie Hale “I’d rather die than let love find its way back into my life.” After losing her parents, Stephanie Hale locked away her heart, building a life centered on control and her passion for cooking. Love, she decided, was a weakness. Now, at the peak of her career, she’s mastered the art of staying busy, avoiding feelings, and staying alone—until her past starts haunting her again. Ethan Smith Anderson “Love is a trap. I’m not foolish enough to fall for it.” Ethan Smith Anderson’s life is driven by cold ambition. Abandoned by his family and hardened by years of isolation, he views love as a vulnerability, a dangerous distraction. In his world, emotions have no place, and trust is a luxury he can’t afford. When their paths cross, it’s not a meeting—it’s a collision. Their hatred is instant, undeniable, and intense, each seeing in the other everything they despise. A powerful cook with a shattered heart and a ruthless businessman who trusts no one—can they coexist, or will their hatred destroy them both? The question isn’t whether they’ll meet again... it’s how they’ll survive the fallout.