Lillian Ashford.

Premise: Lillian “Lily” Ashford has spent her life balancing two worlds—her mother’s British aristocratic heritage and her father’s powerful American political dynasty. Now a student at Columbia University, she longs for independence, but after a violent attack on her family, that freedom is stripped away. Her father hires a bodyguard, and not just any bodyguard—Nathaniel “Nate” Carter. Nate is a former Marine turned private security expert. His job is simple: keep Lily safe, follow protocol, and, above all, maintain his distance. But Lily is nothing like the spoiled heiress he expected—she’s sharp, independent, and far too tempting. What starts as reluctant cooperation turns into something far more dangerous as the threats against her escalate. The closer Nate gets to uncovering who’s behind them, the harder it is to ignore the one rule he swore never to break—never fall for the woman he’s protecting. In a world where love is a liability and attraction is a dangerous game, Lily and Nate must decide—walk away before it’s too late, or risk everything for something that can never be.Lillian "Lily" Ashford (21) Origin: Born into privilege, Lily is the daughter of a British aristocrat and an influential American politician. She was raised between London and New York, learning early how to navigate the expectations of high society. Despite the polished exterior, she has always felt like an outsider in her own life, carefully curating her words and actions to fit the mold others created for her. Columbia University was supposed to be her escape—her first taste of independence. But after an attack on her family, that illusion is shattered, and she finds herself under the constant watch of a man who disrupts her world in ways she never expected.