Revenge Turns Romantic

CHAPTER THREE: The First Crack

Amara didn't sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the stranger's voice again.

You're looking in the wrong direction.

By four in the morning, she had read through every document in the folder at least twice.

Nothing changed.

The transfer was real.

The date was real.

The account was connected to Blackwood Enterprises.

But the signature wasn't familiar.

Amara sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the document in her hands.

For five years, she had built her entire life around one belief.

The Blackwoods had destroyed her family.

What if she had been wrong?

"No."

She shook her head.

"They're hiding something."

Maybe the mysterious caller was trying to confuse her.

Maybe this was exactly what they wanted.

She reached for her laptop and searched the name of the company connected to the account.

Nothing useful.

She searched the transaction number.

Nothing.

She searched the signature.

Again, nothing.

Frustrated, Amara closed the laptop.

Her phone lit up.

ADRIAN: Good morning.

She stared at the message.

Then another one appeared.

ADRIAN: You disappeared pretty quickly last night.

Amara hesitated before replying.

AMARA: I was tired.

His response came almost immediately.

ADRIAN: Liar.

She smiled despite herself.

AMARA: You really think you know me already?

ADRIAN: No. That's the problem.

Her smile disappeared.

There was something dangerous about Adrian.

He made her feel seen.

And she couldn't afford to be seen.

Especially not by him.

Her phone rang.

Adrian.

She stared at it for several seconds before answering.

"Hello?"

"You're awake."

"Obviously."

"You sound tired."

"I am."

"Did you sleep?"

"No."

There was a pause.

"Why?"

Amara looked toward the folder.

"I had things on my mind."

"Was it me?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Your ego is impressive."

"I'll take that as a yes."

She laughed softly.

Adrian's voice changed.

"I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"Have you ever met my family before?"

Amara froze.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because my mother asked me about you this morning."

Her heart skipped.

"What did she say?"

"She asked where I met you."

"And?"

"I told her."

"What did she say?"

Another pause.

"She didn't like it."

Amara sat upright.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Did she say my name?"

"Yes."

Amara's stomach twisted.

"What exactly did she say?"

Adrian was silent for a moment.

Then he said quietly,

"She asked me if I'd ever heard the name Amara Williams."

The room seemed to stop.

Amara couldn't breathe.

He knew.

Somehow, he knew.

"Amara?"

She forced herself to speak.

"Yes?"

"Are you still there?"

"Yes. Sorry. I just..."

She searched desperately for an excuse.

"My connection."

Adrian didn't respond immediately.

Then he said,

"I don't think that was your connection."

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

"What do you mean?"

"You went quiet the moment I mentioned the name."

Amara swallowed.

"I was surprised."

"Why?"

"Because it's my name."

"Exactly."

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

"Adrian, I have to go."

"Amara—"

She ended the call.

She immediately regretted it.

Not because she had hurt his feelings.

Because she'd confirmed his suspicion.

She stood and walked toward the mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her.

For the first time, she wondered if she had underestimated him.

Maybe Adrian wasn't just the arrogant heir she'd imagined.

Maybe he was much more dangerous.

Two hours later, Amara arrived at Blackwood Enterprises.

She hadn't planned to come.

But after the phone call, she knew she needed answers.

She walked through the glass doors wearing a cream blazer and black trousers.

The receptionist smiled.

"Good morning."

"I'm here to see Adrian Blackwood."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

The receptionist hesitated.

"Mr. Blackwood is in a meeting."

"I'll wait."

She walked toward the seating area.

Five minutes later, a familiar voice came from behind her.

"You could have called."

Amara turned.

Adrian stood there.

He was wearing a dark suit, his expression unreadable.

"You were busy."

"I would have made time."

She looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because you came to see me."

Something about the way he said it made her uncomfortable.

"Can we talk somewhere private?"

He studied her face.

"Of course."

He led her into his office.

The room was large, modern and intimidating.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.

Amara walked toward the window.

"This place hasn't changed."

Adrian stopped.

"What did you say?"

She realized her mistake.

"Nothing."

"You said this place hasn't changed."

"I meant..."

She turned around.

"I've seen pictures."

"Pictures?"

"Online."

He watched her carefully.

"You've done your research."

"Everyone researches people before meeting them."

"Not like you."

Amara crossed her arms.

"What exactly are you accusing me of?"

"I'm not accusing you of anything."

"Then why does this feel like an interrogation?"

"Because you keep giving me reasons to ask questions."

Silence filled the room.

Adrian walked closer.

"Who are you, Amara?"

She forced herself to stay calm.

"I told you."

"No."

His voice was softer now.

"You told me your name."

He stopped a few feet away.

"You never told me your story."

Amara looked away.

"There's nothing interesting about me."

"I don't believe that."

"You don't know me."

"That's what I'm trying to change."

Her heart betrayed her again.

She looked into his eyes.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Adrian reached toward her.

Amara instinctively stepped back.

His hand stopped in midair.

"What are you afraid of?"

"Nothing."

"Another lie."

She looked away.

Adrian lowered his hand.

"I'm not going to force you to tell me anything."

"Good."

"But I will figure it out."

Her eyes returned to his.

A chill moved through her.

"Maybe you shouldn't."

"Maybe you shouldn't give me reasons to."

Before she could respond, the office door opened.

Victoria walked in.

Her expression changed the moment she saw Amara.

"You."

Amara stared at her.

Victoria's face had gone pale.

Adrian noticed.

"Mother?"

Victoria didn't answer.

She looked directly at Amara.

Then she whispered,

"You're her daughter."

Amara's blood ran cold.

Adrian frowned.

"Whose daughter?"

Victoria looked at her son.

Then back at Amara.

"William Williams."

The name hung in the room.

Amara couldn't speak.

Adrian slowly turned toward her.

"Your father?"

She said nothing.

Victoria stepped forward.

"You lied to us."

Amara's eyes narrowed.

"You knew my father?"

Victoria's expression hardened.

"Everyone knew your father."

"No."

Amara's voice shook.

"You knew him."

Victoria remained silent.

"What happened to him?"

"Amara—"

"What happened to my father?"

Her voice broke.

Adrian looked between them.

"Mother, what is she talking about?"

Victoria's face changed.

Fear.

Real fear.

Amara had seen that look before.

It was the same look her mother had worn the night their house was surrounded by police.

"Tell me!" Amara demanded.

Victoria stepped backward.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because if they know you're back..."

She stopped.

Amara's heart raced.

"Who?"

Victoria looked toward the door.

Then lowered her voice.

"You're not the only person looking for the truth."

Before Amara could ask another question, Victoria walked out.

Adrian stood frozen.

Then he looked at Amara.

"What the hell was that?"

Amara's eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall.

"I don't know."

For once, it wasn't a lie.

Adrian moved toward her.

"Amara."

She stepped away.

"I need to leave."

He caught her wrist gently.

"Wait."

She looked down at his hand.

He released her immediately.

"Sorry."

Their eyes met.

Something shifted between them.

The anger.

The suspicion.

The attraction.

All of it became tangled together.

Adrian's voice softened.

"Whatever happened between our families, I want to know the truth too."

Amara stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because I don't like being lied to."

She almost laughed.

"Neither do I."

He nodded.

"Then let's find out who is lying."

Amara's heart stopped.

She knew she should refuse.

She knew getting closer to Adrian was dangerous.

But she also knew she couldn't uncover the truth alone.

"Okay."

Adrian extended his hand.

"Partners?"

Amara stared at his hand.

Then slowly placed hers in it.

"Partners."

Neither of them knew that the moment they made that agreement, someone was watching them from across the street.

A man lowered his binoculars.

He pulled out his phone.

"They're working together now."

A voice answered.

"Then it's time to separate them."

The man smiled.

"Understood."

He ended the call.

Inside the building, Amara suddenly felt a strange chill.

She looked toward the window.

Nothing.

Just the city.

But somewhere in that city, someone knew the truth.

And they were willing to kill to keep it buried.