A Ruthless Bargain.
Amelia Nightshade has spent her entire life surviving.
Orphaned at a young age and raised by a cruel uncle who treated her like nothing more than a burden, she learned early that the world shows mercy to no one. Working quietly in a small bookstore with her only friend, Iris, Amelia believed she had already endured the worst life had to offer.
Until the night she discovers the truth.
Her uncle has sold her.
As payment for a dangerous debt, Amelia is delivered to Lucien Cross—a cold, ruthless mafia boss and one of the most feared business tycoons in the country. A man whispered about in dark corners. A man whose enemies rarely live long enough to regret crossing him.
But Amelia refuses to be another victim.
Instead, she offers Lucien a bargain.
A contract marriage.
Eight months.
A temporary wife in exchange for the complete repayment of the debt that binds her to him.
Lucien agrees, intrigued by the quiet strength behind Amelia’s fearless eyes.
What begins as a ruthless deal soon turns into something far more dangerous.
Because Lucien is a man haunted by a tragedy from his past—the brutal night his parents were murdered and his little sister vanished without a trace.
And Amelia is unknowingly tied to the very people responsible for that night.
As secrets unravel and emotions grow stronger, Amelia and Lucien must face a truth neither of them is ready for.
The woman he is beginning to love may be connected to the greatest tragedy of his life.
Basahin
Chapter: Chapter 40: Just Like Earth.Amelia.I could not believe I was packing my bags right now to God knows where with Lucien. Iris sat on my bed, looking at me like I had grown two heads. ''Are you really leaving?'' Iris asked me with a serious expression. ''Yes. I'm his personal assistant.'' I said the words he had earlier said to me. It did not make sense though. Being his personal assistant had got nothing with going on a vacation with him. And he had given me an option.''Do you object?'' He clearly gave me an option and if I wanted out, I would not be forced. But my response was in the negative.I recalled shaking my head in the negative and breathed the words out. ''No.''I sat on the bed now, having packed the bags and zipped it one last time. I let out a sigh of relief. ''Phew. That was fast.''We should be leaving in about thirty minutes and I had not even taken my shower.''Do you trust him Amelia?'' Iris asked in that tone that always said 'we could find an excuse if you're not'. But even though I did n
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-19
Chapter: Chapter 39: Do You Object?Lucien.I never realized the pay check would lead to counting the time we had left.I watched her from my desk while she sat across, her brows pinched in utmost concentration. Every now and then she would sigh softly and scratch her nose absent-mindedly. That was one of the things I had noticed about her over the past weeks we had been living together.Whenever she was bothered by something, her fingers always found the surface of her nose. She always itched without realizing.And now she was doing the same. She finally looked up, her expression turning stern immediately. ''I wired twenty-five million dollars.'' She paused as if she was gradually taking something off her shoulders. ''How much more do I have left.''I was hundred percent sure she knew the amount left but wanted to still hear it from me. It felt like hearing the words from someone else made her take everything seriously.''Fifty-five million dollars.'' I breathed the words out. She breathed and then nodded her head so
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-18
Chapter: Chapter 38: The Pay Check.Amelia.Lucien did not come home the whole weekend. He told me he would be out for dinner and since when does dinner for two whole days.My whole mood had turned sour throughout the days he was not home which was annoying at the same time because why was my mood like that. I kept feeling like crying and at the same time mentally smacking myself.Iris had noticed my moods and had stayed by my side throughout. She never budged, never questioned me why Lucien never came back and never asked why I was feeling however.She just stayed with me and that—that was something I appreciated more than anything.The silence, because that was the only thing I needed right now.And now, it was Monday morning and I had to resume work by 8am. A part of me dreaded the fact that he might be present while the other part didn't bother anymore.Images of him and Stephanie that I had imprinted in my head would not stop haunting me. And every time the thoughts came to my head, I would recall the night we got
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Chapter 37: The Russo’sLucien.I arrived at the Russo Villa thirty minutes late. I planned it and did not feel even an ounce of regret. Antonio Russo had called me, told me where to be and a stipulated time, hanging up without waiting for my response and so I spent extra thirty minutes to make him understand that no man had that kind of authority over me.The tyres of my car crunched across the gravels as we pulled up to the Villa and came to a halt. The door was opened by my driver immediately and I stepped out with slow precision, like I did not have people waiting for me.My fingers slowly brushed the lapel of my jacket as I walked inside, a young woman leading the way. The inside was quieter than I expected as she led me through a long hallway with dimly lit candles.I had been here before. The night my ordeal with Stephanie started and now again. She stopped at a wide black door and glanced at me briefly before pushing it open with a nod.The door revealed the dining room and they were all seated, the
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-15
Chapter: Chapter 36: Since She Was Four.Amelia.I ran after Iris, leaving Lucien standing there...dumbfounded. Something was off in his expression but I could not tell. I did what was necessary first.''Iris.'' I ran after her but she was faster than I was.I sighed, stopping at the staircase to catch my breath. This girl would be the end of me and I knew that. I continued searching until I found her at the balcony. ''Are you okay? Why did you run off like that?'' I gasped for air when I finally saw her.She had her back facing me and did not reply.''Iris.'' I walked closer, still panting.She turned in one swift motion, facing me now, a wide smile plastered on her face. It looked...fake...like she was forcing it and then she spoke. ''Is he your husband?''I raised my brows, clearly confused. ''Yes.'' I released in one breath.She nodded before speaking again. ''I was caught a bit off guard and thus that’s why I ran off like that.'' She had an apologetic look on her face. ''I'm sorry.'' She apologized.''Would I seem like
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-11
Chapter: Chapter 35: Meet My Best-Friend. Lucien. The meeting was over and I checked my phone again to see if she had replied but she did not. She said she would tell me the details later and I confirmed from the driver that she was home. I closed my laptop, her words from yesterday still in my head. ''Where did you find me?'' She had asked the same question twice in a different manner. ''Where did you find me when I called yesterday?'' The more I thought about it, the more the dots connected. It was not about being drunk, neither was it about being confused. She had asked with certainty. And something clicked. She was not in the room when she called, her voice sounded desperate and maybe...scared. She was terrified of something. I swirled the office chair slightly, my pen fiddling between my fingers as I thought long and hard. The moment we signed the contract, I knew she would not be safe. I had enemies, lots of them and they wanted me dead but then they got an easier target. But I would never let that happen. I
Huling Na-update: 2026-08-10
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