Nyra_Lea

Zion Carter has everything, wealth, power, and control. But when a quiet girl with haunting hazel eyes walks into his office as his new assistant, his perfectly structured world begins to crumble.
Amira Fontaine isn’t just another employee, she’s the girl he couldn’t forget.
A slow-burn romance set against a backdrop of luxury, secrets, and fate’s unexpected timing.

Entangled with Zion

Location: Lyon, France -Estelle Fontaine's Townhouse

Amira barely slept. She boarded the earliest train out of Venice, the flash drive clutched in her coat pocket like a loaded gun.

By the time she stood on her mother's doorstep, the sky was gray and heavy with rain. Estelle opened the door wearing a silk robe, her hair tied back, eyes widening with surprise.

"Amira? Darling, what are you...."

"Who is my father?" Amira demanded, her voice raw.

Estelle paled. "What are you talking about?"

Amira tossed the folder onto the kitchen table, pages spilling out.

"I know you lied to me. I know Zion knows something. Tell me the truth, or I swear I will burn this entire house down."

Estelle sank into a chair, silent. Rain pattered against the windows like impatient fingers.

"You were never supposed to find out," Estelle whispered finally.

Amira gripped the back of the chair. "Find out what?"

Estelle stared at her hands. "You were part of a deal I made. After Celeste was born… I was struggling. Zion's father offered protection. Money. I didn't know then what kind of man he really was."

"So who was he?" Amira spat. "My father?"

Estelle swallowed. "You are not their blood, Amira. But you were meant to be collateral. An asset, raised under their thumb. So they could control me and your sister."

Amira's knees weakened. She dropped into a chair across from her mother. "So Zion knew."

"Zion protected you," Estelle said, eyes glistening. "When Dominic wanted to claim you for the Carters, Zion refused. He kept you out of their reach. But that protection came with a price."

Amira shook her head. "You lied to me my entire life."

Estelle reached out, but Amira jerked away.

"You were supposed to be safe," Estelle whispered. "Celeste... she took the brunt of it. But you were supposed to live free."

Amira's voice cracked. "She died for this. For your deal."

"I never wanted this," Estelle sobbed. "I thought we were out. I thought Zion would keep you safe."

Amira stood, backing away. "You traded my life. And you let them kill my sister."

Estelle whispered, "Amira, please...."

"I don't forgive you," Amira said, voice like ice. "And I'm going to destroy every last one of them."

She turned and walked out into the rain, leaving her mother sobbing behind her.

Amira pulled out her phone and called Rosalie. "I'm going back to Paris. Tell Zion I'm coming."

THE MOTHER OF LIES