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.
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Chapter: Chapter 16Amelia.I got a mail. I got a mail! I got a mail from one of the companies.I sprinted from where I sat to the counter where Iris was. She paused typing into the desktop when she saw me, she was still making her research on other companies I could apply on.Yesterday, we had sent my resumé to countless companies and overworked ourselves till late at night. I had to text Dominic to pick me up later than usual which he did and I got back home to an empty house still.Iris was still looking at me, demanding answers.''I got a mail.'' I squealed, showing her my broken phone.She got down from her seat immediately, a smile evident on her lips. ''Let me see.''I handed the phone to her, my hand shaking nervously while she read through the contract.''It's from a very big company.'' She paused, her eyes glinting with pride and unshed tears. ''And you can start working whenever you feel like.'' Iris read.''That's the terms of the contract.''I leaned back against the wall, trying to steady m
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-05-04
Chapter: Chapter FifteenLucien.Stephanie Russo was back. But that wasn’t what bothered me, it was her presence at Cross Estates. She rarely ever visited, but today she came looking for me.“Let her in.” I replied to the receptionist over the telecom.She had been made to wait in the lobby during my meeting and I could already imagine how furious she was. It was a miracle she hadn’t created a scene.As expected, the door flew open a few minutes later and there she was. Red lipstick, hair in a ponytail, a dress so short you could see everything if she bent forward, and heels that cradled her legs in straps. She pointed a glare at me, one that could cut daggers into my skin.“I was made to wait at the lobby for eleven minutes.” She walked closer, no hint of a smile on her face.I sat there watching her every move. She walked closer until she stood facing me and brought her lips down to my neck.“I thought you said she was just a contract,” I felt the venom laced beneath her words. “But what did I see on the ne
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter Fifteen: For YouAmelia.That evening when Dominic picked me up he followed a different route. I was always one to keep track of my surroundings. Everyday when he took me to work and picked me up, I would try to memorise the way back should in case anything happens.I didn't pay heed to it as I let myself drown in my thoughts. Iris said we would find a way out and I trusted her. I was deprived of education yes, but that didn't stop me from making research.Every night when I was done with my chores I would sneak into Natalie's room then when we were younger and she let me have her things. We would study together and she would put me through a lot of things I didn't understand.Later, when I started working at the bookshop it became healthier and no longer private. I would make research on topics I found interesting and any random thing that came to me.But again, was that enough to secure me a job. A job that would help me pay off my debt and rent an apartment with Iris. The door beside me was pulled
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-26
Chapter: Chapter Fourteen: Between PagesAmelia.He left, again.I slept without him at home. Then why did he come into the room if he would just turn and leave?Everything felt too overwhelming for me.At work the next day I supressed every memory and focused on attending to customers. I felt lighter, letting myself get lost in pages and quiet silence.The doorbell chimed and a tall man walked in, looking too familiar but I could not place where or when I saw his face.''Hello.'' I kept the book I was reading aside and walked up to him.''How may I help you, Sir?''He smiled, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. ''I need a book, a very interesting one.''His smile looked....I couldn't place the word but there was just something odd about him.''What genre do you read?'' I asked, trying to come up with a book for him.''Horror.'' He said slowly, taking a step towards me.My legs moved back on instinct and he followed until my back hit the shelf. His hands came up slowly almost touching, my heart was beating wildly in my che
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-25
Chapter: Chapter Thirteen: ControlLucien.I removed my glasses and set them down on the table. Two days, two whole days of trying to immerse myself in work and forget about everything. I moved to one of my estates and switched off my devices left for the one Dominic could reach through. I stood up, picked up my laptop and headed to the board meeting. I was seven minutes late, something that had never happened. I always made sure to be at every meeting at the speculated time but today, my thoughts had drifted.My assistant walked in hurried steps behind me, trying to form incoherent words. ''Sir, the meeting has began and the stock market for seven days ago..”I paused and turned in her direction. She moved back slowly.''You are dismissed from your job.''Her eyes widened in horror as if I had taken her last cards from her. Honestly, she wasn't fit for the job. I didn't want someone who was too timid.She bowed her head slightly, '' Sir...I apologise for ..''''You did nothing wrong.'' I cut her off.''Go to the ma
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-24
Chapter: Chapter Twelve: The Morning AfterAmelia.Sunlight seeped into the room forcing brightness to disturb my sleep. My eyes fluttered open but the light almost blinded me forcing me to close them back.I opened them fully after making sure I turned to the other side. The room was empty and somewhere deep in my heart I felt it.My head pounded with a severe headache, one I had never had. And suddenly my memory returned in flashes. The boutique, Lucien's kiss, Auntie Rita and......Spencer!Spencer had joined me when I sat to have a drink, the memories came in flashes and I could not remember our conversations. But what I would not forget was Lucien's arm grabbing mine out of the party and him tying me up.Images of mine and Spencer's body pressed together surfaced again.''What the fuck did I do?'' I breathed, sitting up abruptly.That was not all. My head throbbed harder and I rubbed my palms against it but that didn't make it any better. I recalled Lucien untying me, his fingers sliding into me.....and...My hands flew to
Dernière mise à jour: 2026-04-23
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