Her Silent Plan

Amara’s POV

By the time I had gotten to my apartment, I could not keep my eyelids from falling. My whole body felt heavy, not from the day itself but from everything that had happened.

My feelings were in a mess — anger, confusion. I haven't even had a chance to digest it all yet.

I opened the door, the aroma of Selena's vanilla scented candle enveloped me. She was on the couch, scrolling through her phone, but once she saw me, she jumped up and came to me.

"Amara," she whispered, hugging me before I could say anything.

And that was it. The moment her arms wrapped around me, the tears started. I didn’t even try to stop them this time. I cried quietly, letting her hold me, my face buried against her shoulder.

I didn’t need words. Just that moment — the warmth of someone who cared enough to stay.

When I finally pulled back, I wiped my cheeks with my hands and tried to breathe normally again. Selena’s face was a mix of worry and fear.

“What happened? Did you see him?” she asked carefully.

“Yes.” My voice was weak, barely holding together. I walked to the couch and sat down before my legs could give out.

“So what happened, Amara? For you to be crying like this, tell me he didn’t hurt you.” Her tone sharpened, anger already rising.

“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Not physically.”

The tears started again before I could stop them. I didn’t even know if it was because of the pregnancy or just me being me — emotional, soft-hearted, crying over everything that hurt too deeply.

Selena frowned, her confusion growing. “What do you mean, not physically?”

I took a long, shaky breath and told her everything. From Lucian’s cold, distant expression to the deal he offered — working as his maid, handing over my baby when the child turns five — and then his cousin showing up with that strange, warning look.

“What?!” Selena’s voice shot up an octave. “He said what? What kind of man makes the mother of his child work as a maid? That’s insane! He’s treating you like you’re beneath him!”

“I know,” I said softly, my throat tight. “All I wanted was for him to take responsibility as a father. I wasn’t expecting… that.”

“When are you supposed to start?” she asked cautiously.

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Amara, that’s way too soon! You barely know this man.” Her voice trembled. “There are rumors about him — about some kind of cartel or rivals or whatever. You can’t just move in there!”

“Selena, I don’t have a choice!” The words came out louder than I intended. “I’m pregnant. There’s a baby growing inside of me. I’m broke, jobless, and drowning in bills. How am I supposed to take care of myself, let alone a child?”

She went quiet. I could tell my outburst startled her, but it was the truth — my reality laid bare and ugly.

I took another breath, my voice softer now. “I didn’t mean to yell, Sel. I’m just… tired. I know you’ve been helping me, and I’m grateful for the money you lent me, but you need that money too. I can’t keep being a burden.”

She shook her head immediately, eyes glistening. “You’ll never be a burden, Amara. You’re my best friend — more like the sister I never had. I understand, and I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

That broke me a little more. I hadn’t even noticed more tears had fallen until she reached up to wipe them away.

“You just have to be careful, okay?” she whispered. “I love you, girl.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Sel. You know I’m not close with my family. You’re all I have.”

She hugged me again, and for a second, I wished I could freeze that moment. It was simple and safe — two best friends against the world.

But I knew what tomorrow meant. I knew how much she was worried, and honestly, so was I.

Still, I wasn’t going to raise this child alone. Lucian was just as responsible as I was, whether he liked it or not.

And I had a plan — one I wasn’t ready to say out loud yet. There was no way I was giving up my baby after five years. That part of his deal would never happen. I just had to play along for now, stay under his radar, and eventually earn enough money to disappear.

“You should start packing,” Selena said, getting up to grab a duffel bag from her closet.

“Yeah,” I murmured, forcing myself to stand and follow her upstairs.

The night slipped by quietly as we packed my clothes. Every folded shirt felt like a piece of my old life being tucked away. By the time we finished, exhaustion hit like a wave.

We crawled into bed, but my mind wouldn’t rest. Selena fell asleep beside me easily — she always could — but I stared up at the ceiling, lost in the chaos of my thoughts.

So this is what my life has come to, I thought. Pregnant, jobless, about to work as a maid for a man who doesn’t even want to acknowledge me.

Lucian D. I barely knew anything about him, not really. I hadn’t even heard his name before that night — the night everything changed. And now I was going to live under his roof.

Selena’s words echoed in my mind: cartel, rivals, danger. I didn’t know if any of it was true, but I couldn’t take chances. I’d have to do some digging, find out exactly who he was before stepping into that mansion.

Then there was his cousin — that warning he’d thrown out before leaving. Lucian’s deals don’t end the way you think. What was that supposed to mean?

I sighed and turned on my side, staring at the wall. My mind wouldn’t stop spinning, every thought twisting tighter.

This wasn’t the life I wanted, but I had to survive. For me. For my baby.

I just needed to hold on long enough to save enough money and disappear before Lucian could take anything else from me.

That was the plan.

At least, that’s what I told myself as my eyelids grew heavy.

But deep down, something told me that walking into Lucian’s world wouldn’t be as simple as I thought.

And it definitely wouldn’t be easy to walk away.