Chapter 134: All of it
Amira didn’t move closer this time. If anything, she held her ground. Seb... I only want half," she said, quieter now, but firm. "I don’t want to hurt her more than I already have."
Her fingers curled slightly, betraying the tension she was trying to hide. "If I take everything... she’ll fight it. She’ll contest it. And when she does..." her voice lowered, almost a whisper, "the truth will come out." She met his eyes. "Half makes sense." For a moment, Sebastian just looked at her.
Then he exhaled a short laugh, shaking his head like she had said something naive. "Do you want my help or not?" His tone shifted, less amused now, more cutting. "Because if you do... then listen."
He stepped closer, his presence tightening around her space. "I don’t want half measures." Amira frowned. "This isn’t about you—"
"It is," he cut in smoothly. A small smile pulled at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
"I want my Amara," he said, almost casually. "The way she was before all of this. No power. No money. No control." Amira’s stomach dropped slightly. Sebastian continued, unfazed.
"I want to be the one who gives her everything. The one she depends on. The one she looks at like she has nowhere else to go." His voice softened, but it wasn’t kindness.
It was possession. "I’ll do it right this time," he added. "Better than Julian ever has." Amira scoffed, crossing her arms. "In your dreams," she shot back. "Julian will never leave her."
Sebastian’s smile widened slowly. "Really?" He tilted his head, studying her. "He already has doubt." The words landed sharper than expected.
"While I don’t." A pause. "Tell me, Amira... who do you think Amara wants around her right now?" Amira didn’t answer. Because for a second. She didn’t know. Sebastian’s phone buzzed.
He glanced down, then chuckled under his breath. "It’s done." He turned the screen toward her. A photo. The will. Names altered. Subtle. Clean. Dangerous.
"Perfect," he murmured, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Tomorrow... you become the new CEO." Amira stared at him. Her chest didn’t feel lighter.
If anything. It felt heavier. Sebastian stepped back, adjusting his sleeve like the conversation was already over.
"So enjoy it." He smiled as he had just handed her everything she ever wanted. And somehow. It didn’t feel like a victory at all.
—-
Julian didn’t sleep. Not really. He had sat by the door for hours, his back against the wall, his thoughts circling the same place over and over again until exhaustion finally dragged his eyes shut, but even then, it wasn’t rest.
It was waiting. The door opened softly. Amara stepped out. And for a moment, just a moment, time blurred because she didn’t look like the woman who had broken down on the floor the night before.
She looked... composed. Untouchable.
She was dressed in one of her mother’s gowns, the exact one her mother had worn the first day she took over the company after her father’s death.
Amara remembered that day.
The way her mother had stood tall despite the grief. The way she had walked into that building, not as a widow, but as a force no one could ignore.
Now. Amara looked the same. Not because she wasn’t hurting. But because she had chosen not to show it. Her gaze softened slightly as it fell on Julian. Still sitting by the door. Still there.
She walked over quietly, her steps slow, deliberate. Then she reached down, her fingers brushing gently through his hair.
Soft. Familiar.
"Amara..." Julian murmured, his voice thick with sleep as he jolted awake, pushing himself to his feet immediately. "Baby..." His eyes scanned her quickly.
Taking in everything. The dress. The strength. The distance. "You should be in bed," she said softly. "And getting ready for work."
Julian let out a short breath, almost disbelieving. "You think I can think about work right now?" he asked, his voice rough. "When everything is falling apart between us?"
He stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "I’m sorry," he said, the words coming easier now but still heavy. "And I love you."
A pause. "I don’t want to lose you." This time. There was no hesitation.
"That, I can say with certainty." Amara held his gaze. And for a second... something flickered. Not gone. Not erased. Just... guarded. "I know," she said quietly.
And she meant that too. "But I need to get to the company." Her tone shifted slightly back to composed, back to controlled. "So... have a good day."
No argument. No lingering. She turned. And walked away. Julian stood there, watching her go, this version of her that felt both familiar and completely out of reach.
Outside. The car was already waiting. James stood by the door, sharp and attentive, his presence calm but alert. Beside him were two members of her new security detail.
Not just for protection. But with a purpose. One instruction. Keep Sebastian away. Amara stepped into the car without hesitation. No looking back. No second thoughts. As the door closed behind her, her reflection caught briefly in the tinted glass.
Strong. Still. Unbreakable. At least on the outside. "Good morning, ma’am," James said as he took his seat in front. Amara gave a small nod.
"Let’s go." The car pulled away. And just like that. She wasn’t running anymore. She was walking straight into whatever came next.
The boardroom felt colder than usual. Too polished. Too quiet. Like it already knew something was about to break. Amira arrived first.
She stood near the table, her fingers clasped tightly together, her eyes flicking to the door every few seconds. Waiting. Hoping. If she just looks at me... if she says my name... I’ll stop everything.
That was the deal she had made with herself. A fragile one.
The lawyers sat across from her, their files neatly arranged, their expressions neutral, unaware of the storm sitting in the room with them.
Then. The doors opened. Amara walked in. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Controlled. James followed closely behind her, his presence quiet but firm, while her security detail remained just outside. Amira’s breath caught.
She looked at her, really looked. The dress. The posture. The calm. "Amara..." The name stayed in her throat. Because Amara didn’t look at her.
Not once. Not even by accident. She walked straight to her seat and sat down, placing her hands neatly on the table.
"You may begin." Her voice was even. Professional. Like this was just another meeting. Like nothing personal was at stake.