After a surprise proposal fractures her life into two parallel timelines, a speech pathologist must learn to trust her own inner voice in this hopeful and inspiring story about identity and belonging.

Lucy Hughes has never loved being the center of attention, so she’s shocked when her boyfriend proposes via jumbotron. Frozen under the stadium lights, Lucy’s hesitation fractures her future into parallel lives:

No. A video of Lucy’s refusal goes viral, and the backlash is swift and brutal. Unemployed and sleeping in her best friend’s guest room, she slowly rebuilds her life. She’s barely back on her feet when she’s asked to advocate for victims of online harassment. But it would mean finding the courage to step back into the spotlight.

Yes. Lucy, who grew up in foster care, adores Matthew’s large, loving family. But burying her troubled childhood and her bisexuality to better fit into their Southern political dynasty is causing her to lose her grip on her own identity.

To create a future where she can be her authentic self, both versions of Lucy must confront the childhood trauma that shaped her adult relationships and find her own voice.

© 2026 by Annie Morgan. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.