Ama West had to step up and raise herself and her sister after their father abandoned them when she was just 16, leaving their mother lost in her own depression. Faced with the daunting prospect of survival, Ama accepted a high-stakes job to steal a neck piece from the formidable Blackwood family. However, when she was caught by the merciless Grayson Blackwood, she found herself at a crossroads. Grayson offered her a stark choice: either become his personal spy or face an excruciating end. The decision was clear; she would fight for her survival and take control of her fate. She gets thrown into the complicated Blackwoods family, where she unfolds secret that were never meant to be reviewed. And when her heart gets involved she's left to make difficult choices that could either make or break her.
View More"You want me to steal from the Blackwoods!” Ama exclaimed, disbelief coursing through her. It felt like a death sentence.
Mr. Reynolds was a bald-headed man, and his strained face clearly revealed his age.
“Oh, come on, Miss West. You're acting as if you haven't done worse.” Mr. Reynolds replied confidently from behind his large black desk.
“Are you serious? The Blackwoods are one of the most dangerous families in town. I can’t even begin to imagine the consequences if I get caught.”
Mr. Reynolds relaxed in his chair, unfazed, gazing at her with an utterly unemotional expression.
“Well, it’s not like you’re planning to get caught, Miss West,” he said, tilting his head slightly.
Ama exhaled sharply.
“I really thought this wouldn't be a big deal for you, considering the other things you've done for me.”
She was appalled that he was using her past jobs against her, especially after he had introduced her to this lifestyle when she was at her lowest and desperately needed some money.
“I still don’t understand what’s in it for you.”
“I don’t recall you questioning my motives when I offered you those other jobs, Miss West.”
He had a point; she had never interrogated Mr. Reynolds about her previous assignments. But this was different. The Blackwoods were not to be trifled with, and the risk was enormous. Yet, the need for money hung over her head.
"This is exactly what the higher-ups demand," he said, pointing upward with certainty.
“So, what’s the pay?” she asked after sometime wanting to weigh the risk against the reward.
“Double your regular pay.”
“No, I want triple,” she stated firmly, crossing her arms and leaning back in the chair.
“What makes you think you’re worth triple, Miss West?”
“The penalty for getting caught is death. That makes it a fair arrangement,” she retorted, glaring at him.
He remained silent, continuing to stare blankly at her.
“Well, good luck finding someone else willing to risk their life and their family’s safety.” She stood up, prepared to leave, but paused at the sound of his voice.
“Triple it is, then.” A small, triumphant smile crept onto her face as she turned back to him.
“Deal,” she said decisively.
***
Ama West jolted awake from the same nightmare she’d been plagued with for the past ten years, ever since she was twelve. She told herself she was used to it, but that was far from reality; the gut-wrenching feeling of dread still clawed at her insides every time the dreams returned. She sat up in the bed she shared with her younger sister, Olivia, who was nowhere in sight.
Ama moved to stand up, but before she could find her footing, the door swung open from outside.
“Oh, look who finally decided to wake up from her peaceful slumber,” Olivia said, walking toward the clothes rack, already dressed in her school uniform, while trying to put her dark brown hair in a bun.
Olivia has always had full brown curls just like Ama, but she always liked to straighten her hair.
Meanwhile, Ama likes her curly hair that always frames her face; she rarely straightens it.
“You should have woken me up,” Ama replied, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb you,” Olivia shot back sarcastically as she glared at her.
“Don't be a brat. Have you eaten breakfast yet?”
“Nope. I just went to check on Mom, but she wouldn’t open the door,” Olivia said with a shrug.
Ama rolled her eyes; of course, their mother wouldn’t get up for anyone.
“It's fine. I’ll make you something to eat.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll just grab a bowl of cereal; I think there’s some left in the box from last night.”
Right, they had cereal for dinner again because their mother had squandered the little money they had left to go on a trip with her abusive boyfriend. She had promised them that she would return with a fortune and pay Ama back many times over.
Because the money was Ama's last month's salary from her waitress job at the dinner downtown.
But when they had found their mother on the doorstep three days ago with her duffel bag and tear-stained face, they had both known better than to ask any questions.
“Nonsense! I’m borrowing some eggs from our neighbors and whipping up scrambled eggs and toast for you,” Ama insisted, standing up from the bed.
“You really don’t have to; I’m fine, Ama…”
Ama stepped out the door before Olivia could finish her protest.
***
They sat down to breakfast once Olivia was dressed for school.
“I have my parent-teacher meeting this week,” Olivia broke the silence, forking a piece of egg.
“Just tell me the date and time, and I’ll be there,” Ama replied resolutely.
Olivia let out an exhausted sigh. “Can’t she just pull herself together for her children just this once?”
Ama remained silent, unsure of what to say.
“You know my homeroom teacher is starting to suspect I don’t have a mother because you do everything for me. You pay all my school fees, attend my meetings, and pick me up when I get hurt…”
“I’ll gladly continue doing all those things and more for you,” Ama declared.
“I know you will, and that’s the problem,” Olivia shot back.
Ama paused, searching for the right words.
“You're not supposed to be responsible for me like that, especially since I have a mother who is alive and well,” Olivia continued.
“I understand,” Ama replied firmly, letting out a sigh.
“It’s just not fair that you have to sacrifice your teenage life and youth for me, while my own mother wouldn’t lift a finger to do the same,” Olivia insisted.
“I’m glad to have you, Ama, and I mean it. But sometimes I think that no one is there for you the way you are for me, and it fills me with guilt,” Olivia confessed.
“You don’t need to feel guilty about anything, Liv. This is my choice, and if I had to, I’d give up everything for you without hesitation,” Ama said with conviction.
“I know you would; I just don’t think it’s fair,” Olivia responded, taking her dishes to the kitchen sink.
Ama understood Olivia’s perspective. She had often felt the weight of the responsibilities their mother had placed on her, and it was frustrating. But over time, she had embraced her role and committed to giving Olivia the life she deserved, no matter how challenging it was.
Some people are simply not cut out to be mothers, and their mother was one of them.
“The deadline for the school trip is next week,” Olivia mentioned while washing the dishes.
Shit.
“Don’t tell me you forgot,” she warned, glancing over at Ama while wiping her hands on a kitchen rag.
Ama had indeed forgotten, but she wasn’t about to admit it. She knew how crucial this trip was for Olivia, and she had promised to pay for it since their mother wouldn’t.
“Of course I didn’t forget,” Ama replied confidently.
“Okay. If it’s too much, I can just join next year,” Olivia proposed, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Ama rejected that notion immediately.
“What? No way. I can absolutely handle it! I promised you, remember? I know how much you love art and museums, and I won’t let you miss out,” Ama asserted.
“Thanks, Ama,” Olivia responded, her spirits lifting once more.
Ama smiled knowingly.
“Now, off you go to school!” she commanded, waving her sister out the door.
Olivia rolled her eyes playfully and waved back before stepping outside.
If Ama had entertained any second thoughts about accepting Mr. Reynolds’ job offer, those doubts had vanished. She was reminded of her responsibilities and her unwavering promise
to create a better life for herself and Olivia, far removed from the one their mother had created.
She was fully committed to taking the job.
Ama glanced up and spotted Bethany a few feet away, her mouth agape in disbelief. It was clear Bethany had seen her speaking with Liam, and with a sigh, Ama strode over to her.Bethany sprang into action with a barrage of questions. “Was that Liam Barker?”“Yeah,” Ama replied curtly, clearly aware that Bethany knew the answer already.“And he was talking to you?” Confusion flickered across Bethany's face.Annoyance prickled at Ama; the way Bethany questioned the conversation implied it was unfathomable that Liam would speak to her. She shot Bethany an exasperated look.Bethany, sensing the tension, raised her hands defensively. “What I meant to ask was why he was talking to you.”“Nothing much—just asking how my first day is going. We should head back to the servant hall,” Ama noted, pushing her cart forward and taking in Bethany's astonished expression.Bethany hurried after her, “But why would he be interested in your first day? Liam usually doesn't involve himself with the servant
Ama gently pushed open the black double doors that led to the room, her breath catching in her throat at the stunning sight before her. The decor held a captivating dark aura that felt both intimidating and intriguing.As she surveyed the space, her mind turned to the Blackwood family. Grayson Blackwood was the only one who came to mind as the possible creator of such an imposing environment. Realization washed over her; of course, this was his room. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it sooner.Grayson had brought her in to work for him, and it was only natural that she would be given the responsibility of cleaning his personal suite. A shiver coursed through her at the thought of the tasks he might expect of her—she felt the weight of knowing she couldn’t refuse any request from him or his family.As she moved through the room, she decided to take a little tour. Since she was here, she figured she might as well explore the private quarters of a billionaire. Each corner of th
They pulled into the Blackwood mansion, and as Ama stepped out of the car, she noticed Liam waiting for her by the door. He offered a reassuring smile as he escorted her inside, while Chadwick quietly made his way in a different direction.As Ama stepped inside, she felt a wave of unfamiliarity wash over her. The grand decorations from the previous night had disappeared, replaced by a stark, empty hall. The tables, chairs, and stage were all gone, leaving just a vast and plain space that felt overwhelmingly bare.An older woman approached them, and Liam introduced her as the head maid responsible for Ama. Something was commanding about the woman, but Ama hoped that she would also be approachable.After handing Ama over to Madame Rachel, Liam's departure left her feeling oddly solitary, even with the presence of an established figure by her side.“From now on, you will address me as Madame Rachel,” the woman instructed, her tone leaving little room for argument. “I expect you to listen
Ama lay in bed that night, her mind racing as she replayed the events of the evening—how she had effectively dug her own grave. Grayson’s words echoed in her ears; she was to become both a servant in his family’s home and his personal spy. It was a grim choice: comply or face a perilous end. The thought of leaving her sister, Olivia, alone in this world chilled her to the bone. Their mother was barely capable of caring for herself, let alone caring for Olivia.Still, the thought of abandoning Olivia without a steady income gnawed at her conscience. So, with a heavy heart, she had agreed to Grayson’s terms, securing his promise to send her weekly wages to her sister. Because that had been the reason for her desperate theft of the necklace in the first place. To her surprise, Grayson had readily acquiesced, his agreement hanging in the air like an unexpected lifeline. Afterward, he had let her leave, assuring her that they would meet again soon. Ama couldn't quite grasp why he had simp
Ama stepped out of the hall, forcing her feet to move calmly despite the frantic pounding of her heart. She had spun a hasty excuse for Sebastian, claiming an emergency had come up that required her to leave. Now, she made her way toward the back room where the auction items were stored—a secret she had stumbled upon when she was trying to find her way back. She had witnessed men carefully placing art pieces inside, their manager overseeing the operation with a watchful eye. As she lingered unnoticed, a sense of purpose washed over her. She recalled the breathtaking necklace from the film Mr. Reynolds had shown her; it had been mesmerizing on screen, but in reality, it was simply stunning.Glancing over her shoulder, Ama ensured no one was approaching and slipped inside the dimly lit room. The gravity of her actions hit her hard. She hadn’t thought this through—what was her plan? Peering from her hiding spot, she spotted a lone man in the room. A relieved sigh escaped her lips; she
Grayson glanced down at the determined brown-haired woman who had just collided with him. He recognized her from the diner a few days prior, and she happened to be his brother's date tonight.She wore a striking red dress, the slit running up to her knee, showcasing her long legs. The deep v-neck hinted at allure without crossing the line into inappropriate territory. It was a simple dress, yet it exuded confidence and elegance.“Sorry I didn't see you there,” she said, finally finding her voice.“Clearly,” Grayson replied, his annoyance evident.His mood had already soured after a discussion with one of the men he had sent to investigate the incident from his last trip. They had turned up nothing about the man who had tried to kill him; it was as if the guy had vanished into thin air.“Well, I should head back to the hall,” she said, avoiding his gaze.Just as she attempted to step away, he called out, “You know who I am, right?”“What,” she stammered, clearly struggling to conjure a
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