Novels by Sharon Michael

Chapter 47Zara’s POVTwo weeks had passed since I’d stood up to my adoptive parents, and I still felt the surge of power from that phone call. But today, sitting in the sleek room of the Law Firm handling my case, that confidence was starting to waver.“Ms. Williams, I know this is difficult, but I need you to walk me through everything,” Rebecca Job said, her kind eyes meeting mine across the polished mahogany table. She was Josh’s lawyer—a sharp woman in her mid-forties with silver-streaked hair pulled back in an elegant bun. “Start from the beginning. Your earliest memories of how your adoptive parents treated you.”Josh squeezed my hand under the table. He’d insisted on being here for this, and I was grateful. I didn’t think I could do this alone.“They never loved me,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “Not the way parents are supposed to love their children.”“Can you give me specific examples?”I took a deep breath. “When I was seven, I got straight A’s on my report ca

Chapter 46Zara’s POVI woke up to cold sheets beside me and an emptiness that went far beyond the physical space in the bed. My hand reached out instinctively to where Josh should have been, finding nothing but rumpled blankets and the faint scent of his cologne.The memories of last night came flooding back—my anger, my accusations, the way I’d locked him out of our bedroom like he was the enemy instead of the man fighting to protect us.Guilt twisted in my stomach. I’d been so cruel, blaming him for everything when all he’d done was try to love me, try to protect me, try to give us a future. And I’d thrown it back in his face because I was scared and overwhelmed.I lay there staring at the ceiling, missing the warmth of his body next to mine, the way he’d wrap his arm around my belly while we slept, the soft kisses he’d press to my shoulder when he woke before me. We’d only been living together a short time, but I’d already gotten used to waking up in his arms. Last night was the f

Chapter 45 Josh’s POVThe drive home felt longer than usual, my mind replaying every interaction I’d had over the past few months, searching for clues about how certain information about me and Zara got out. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I’d mentally suspected and cleared dozens of people, getting nowhere.Zara was waiting for me in the living room, wrapped in a blanket, her eyes wide with concern.“Tell me everything,” she said before I could even close the door.I sat down beside her and recounted the entire meeting—Robert’s smug confidence, his accusations about the lawsuit, and finally, the two horrific options he’d presented.“He wanted you to say the baby isn’t yours?” Zara’s voice was barely a whisper, her hand instinctively moving to her belly. “Or leave me completely?”“Yes. But Zara, you have to know I would never—”“I know.” She grabbed my hand tightly. “I know you wouldn’t do either of those things. But Josh, if he’s this determined to destroy us, what are we go

Chapter 44Josh’s POVThe restaurant Robert chose was upscale and private—the kind of place where business deals were made over expensive wine and quiet conversations. I arrived fifteen minutes early, needing the time to compose myself, to prepare for whatever game he was about to play.He walked in exactly on time, wearing a tailored suit and that infuriating smile that made my blood boil. He looked relaxed, confident, like a man who held all the cards.“Josh,” he said, extending his hand like we were old friends meeting for lunch.I ignored the gesture. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. You said you had a proposal.”“Straight to business. I respect that.” He sat down across from me, signaling the waiter. “But first, let’s order. I find these conversations go better over good food.”“I’m not here to eat. I’m here to listen to whatever bullshit proposal you think I’m going to accept.”Robert’s smile widened. “Still so hostile. Even when I’m offering you a way out of this mess.”“The mess

Chapter 43Zara’s POVI must have dozed off on the couch because the sound of the front door opening startled me awake. Josh walked in looking exhausted and angry, his jaw tight and his eyes dark.“How did it go?” I asked, though his expression told me everything I needed to know.He came and sat beside me, taking my hands in his. “They’re not backing down. They’re going to fight this lawsuit with everything they have.”“What did they say?”“They claimed you signed some contract when you turned eighteen, agreeing to pay them back for raising you. It’s complete bullshit, Zara. Either they forged it, or it was signed under duress, which means it’s not legally binding anyway.”I felt tears welling up again. “I never signed anything like that. I swear to you, Josh, I would remember something like that.”“I know. And my lawyers will prove it.” He pulled me into his arms. “But they’re playing dirty. They threatened to drag this out, to make it as stressful as possible throughout your pregna

Chapter 42 Josh’s POV I stood frozen in the doorway, the papers trembling in my hands. $847,000. They wanted nearly a million dollars from Zara for the “privilege” of being raised by people who never loved her. “Josh?” Zara’s voice pulled me from my shock. “What is it? What’s in the envelope?” I looked up at her, sitting on the couch with Green beside her, both of them watching me with growing concern. My first instinct was to hide this from her, to protect her from the stress. But I’d promised no more secrets. “It’s nothing urgent,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just some legal documents.” “Legal documents about what?” She was already trying to stand up, but Green gently pushed her back down. “Zara, you need to rest—” “Josh, if you don’t tell me what’s in those papers right now, I’m going to lose my mind.” Her voice was rising, panic evident. “Is it about Robert? Is he suing us? What’s happening?” I walked slowly back to the couch, the papers clutched in my hand.