The Weight

smelled of Alexander's expensive cologne, but Amaka felt like she was suffocating. She looked down at her hands-they were

ost exclusive jeweler in West Africa. You will not look at the price tags. You will not g

"A ring won't make this any more real, A

has a hawk's eye for quality. If I give you anything less than a ten-carat diamond, she'll know I'

p with no signs, only a gold crest on the door. A tall man

slightly. "We have been expecting you. W

shop; it was a cathedral of wealth. Diamonds danced under spotlights

The woman's smile faltered for a micro-second as she took in Amaka's stiff posture. "

ly to the small of Amaka's back. The heat of his palm through her d

's start with the Eternal collection

er mind doing quick math. One of those stones could probably buy three apartm

er said, picking up a ma

ol as he slid the ring onto her finger. The weight of it

spered, her voice tremblin

ession," Alexander hissed in her ear, his breath tickling

onds and the scent of his sandalwood cologne surrounding her, she forgot the contract. She saw the

e low so the shop assistant couldn't hear.

y what I need, Amaka. Right now, I need a wife

pride flaring up. "I need a partner. Saviors think t

a bottle of vintage champagne. "

ne to Amaka. "To the contract," he s

a countered, clinking

a group of street kids darting between the cars at the traffic light, sel

hamed of the millions of Naira sitting on her finge

hing her from the shadows of the backseat. "But you can choose never to

xander," Amaka said, looking out at the Lagos skyline. "You might ha

e gala is tonight. The whole of Lagos will be watching. If you survive my mother, then perhaps

notification of the five million Naira. On her finger was a diamond that could feed a village. And in her heart wa

ul. In Mushin, we knew who our enemies were-they carried knives and spoke with their fists. But here, in th

rp features. He didn't even look at me as he typed a message tha

She was... close to the family. She will try to provoke you. If you lose your temper, you lose the contr

or the money. It was the weight of a life I didn't own anymore. As the car turned into the long, guarded driveway of the Sterling Estate, I took a deep breath. I had to bury