Set in New York, struggling painter Ethan is humiliated by his ex Derek at his gallery opening. He flees into a rainy back alley and meets Alex, heir to Whitmore Group. Pressured by his father to find a partner or lose the family trust, Alex signs a one-year fake-fiancé contract with Ethan: he sponsors Ethan’s solo show, and Ethan plays his companion for family and business events.
Their relationship starts as a cold deal. Haunted by teenage guilt, Alex shuts himself from love; Ethan suffers from poverty-induced inferiority. Derek, corporate rival Victor and the resentful Julian repeatedly sabotage them with old photos and secret recordings. Numerous quarrels and breakups follow, yet soft moments like the shared lighter and their rooftop lemon tree slowly breed true love.
Eventually, Alex reveals his family’s dark history and builds an atonement fund. Ethan gains confidence through art. They tear up the contract. Freed from wealth and family shackles, the two scarred men achieve mutual redemption and build an honest life together.
