Chapter One: The Night Everything Changed

Please, sir! I'm begging you. I need this job!"

Amara Williams stood in front of the manager's desk, her hands trembling as she held her worn handbag. Her shoes were almost falling apart, and her simple dress had seen better days.

But she didn't care about any of that.

Her mother's hospital bills were piling up, and her younger brother hadn't eaten a proper meal in two days.

She needed this job.

"I'm sorry, Miss Williams," the manager said without looking up from his computer. "We need someone with experience."

"Please, sir. I'm a fast learner. I'll do anything you ask me to do."

The manager sighed. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."

Amara lowered her head. Another rejection.

She walked out of the office with tears threatening to fall. The rain had started, and she had no umbrella. She hugged her handbag to her chest and began walking home.

"Why is my life so difficult?" she whispered.

She had no idea that her life was about to change forever.

Across the street, a black luxury car pulled up beside the pavement.

Inside sat Daniel Blackwood, a man whose name alone could open doors. At twenty-nine, he owned hotels, shopping malls, and several international businesses.

Women admired him. Men respected him. His enemies feared him.

But Daniel had one problem.

He didn't believe in love.

"Sir, we're going to be late for the meeting," his driver reminded him.

Daniel glanced at his expensive watch. "Then drive faster."

Just as the car began moving, someone suddenly stepped into the road.

"Stop!" Daniel shouted.

The driver slammed on the brakes.

Amara stumbled backward, dropping her handbag into a puddle.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed.

She rushed to retrieve her belongings, but a strong hand reached down and picked up her bag before she could.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" a deep voice demanded.

Amara looked up.

And froze.

Standing before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, a silver wristwatch, and an expression that could freeze an entire room.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, reaching for her bag.

Daniel held it away from her.

"Do you always walk into the road without looking?"

Amara's embarrassment quickly turned into anger.

"And do you always speak to people as if they're beneath you?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

Nobody spoke to him that way.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked coldly.

"No, and honestly, I don't care."

For the first time in years, Daniel Blackwood was speechless.

His driver stared at Amara as if she had just committed a crime.

Daniel slowly handed her the bag.

"What's your name?"

"Amara."

"Amara what?"

"Amara Williams. Why?"

He studied her face for a moment.

"Get in the car."

Amara stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"I said, get in the car. I need someone to help me with something."

She took a step backward.

"I'm not getting into a stranger's car!"

A faint smile appeared on Daniel's face.

"Good. At least you have some sense."

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a business card, and handed it to her.

"Come to this address tomorrow at ten in the morning. Ask for Daniel Blackwood."

Amara glanced at the card.

Her eyes widened.

BLACKWOOD INTERNATIONAL GROUP.

She had heard that name before. Everyone had.

He was one of the richest men in the country.

"Why would you want to see me?" she asked.

Daniel adjusted his cufflinks.

"Because I have a proposition for you."

Before she could ask another question, he returned to his car.

The window rolled down.

"Be on time, Miss Williams. I don't like waiting."

The car disappeared into the rain.

Amara stood on the pavement, staring at the business card in her hand.

What could a billionaire possibly want from a poor girl like her?

She had no idea that the man she had just insulted would soon make her an offer that could change her life forever.

And she certainly didn't know that accepting his offer would put her heart in the hands of a man who had sworn never to love again.