In 1998, New York City, Wally Winthrop is a woman entrapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage to a psychiatrist. She finds solace in the story of King Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson. Obsessed with what she perceives as the ultimate love story, Wally frequently visits the Sotheby's auction of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's estate. There, she meets Evgeni, a Russian security guard, and the two forge a connection that piques her curiosity about her own life and choices.

Parallel to Wally's story, the narrative flashes back to the 1930s to unravel the controversial romance between Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, and King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom. While their relationship blossoms, it faces intense public scrutiny and moral outrage across the kingdom and the Commonwealth. This historical romance culminates in Edward's abdication of the throne for the woman he loves, an act that reverberates through history and deeply affects Wally's understanding of love and sacrifice.