Novels by Sharon Michael

Chapter 13 Josh's POVI watched Zara stare at her phone, the color draining from her face as she read the threatening message again. Most people would panic, call the police, maybe even leave town. But I wasn't most people."Give me your phone," I said calmly, extending my hand."Josh, maybe we should just ignore it—""Zara." My voice carried the authority I used in boardrooms when million-dollar deals were on the line. "Give me your phone."She handed it over reluctantly. I scrolled to the unknown number, memorizing it, then pulled out my own phone and dialed."Marcus? It's Josh Anderson. I need you to trace a number immediately." I rattled off the digits while Zara watched with wide eyes. "Full background on whoever owns it. I want to know what they had for breakfast this morning.""Josh, who are you calling?" Zara whispered."My security team," I replied, then returned to the call. "Twenty-four hour surveillance on Zara Williams starting now. And Marcus? I want them invisible but

Chapter 13Zara's POVI stared at my adoptive parents, my mind struggling to process their presence in my office. The last time I'd seen them, they'd thrown the truth about my adoption in my face like it meant nothing."What situation?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.My mother's lips pursed in that familiar disapproving way. "Don't play dumb, Zara. We know about your... condition.""My condition?" I repeated, my voice rising. "You mean my pregnancy?""Exactly." My father leaned forward, his expression stern. "Imagine our surprise when we heard through the grapevine that you're expecting a child. After everything we've done for you, you didn't think to inform us?"The audacity of their words hit me like a slap. "After everything you've done for me?" I stood up abruptly, my chair rolling back. "Are you serious right now?""We raised you, Zara," my mother said coldly. "Fed you, clothed you, put a roof over your head for twenty-eight years—""Stop." The word came

Chapter 12Zara's POV"Robert?" Josh's voice came from behind me, and I felt his presence as he appeared at my shoulder, still wearing only his pajama pants. "What are you doing here?""Josh, my friend!" Robert's face lit up with a smile that made my skin crawl. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."I watched in stunned silence as they shook hands like old friends. Josh seemed completely at ease, while every fiber of my being screamed danger."Not at all," Josh replied. "Though I wasn't expecting you. How did you know I was home?""Word travels fast in business circles. Heard about your accident. Thought I'd stop by and check on you." Robert's eyes flickered to me, still wearing Josh's shirt. "Though I see you're in very capable hands."My stomach churned at his tone, but Josh didn't seem to notice."That's thoughtful of you," Josh said. "I'm doing much better, thanks to Zara here.""Zara and I are old friends," Robert said smoothly. "Aren't we, darling?"I felt like I mig

Chapter 11Zara's POVThe phone rang at 2:47 AM, piercing through my restless sleep like a knife. I fumbled for it in the darkness, my heart already racing before I even saw the unknown number flashing on the screen."Hello?" My voice was hoarse, barely a whisper."Is this Zara Williams? You're listed as an emergency contact for Josh Anderson."The words hit me like a physical blow. "Yes, that's me. What happened? Is he okay?""Mr. Anderson was involved in a car accident. He's at St. Mary's Hospital. You should come as soon as possible."The phone slipped from my trembling fingers. Green appeared in my doorway, her face creased with worry. "Zara? What's wrong?""Josh... there's been an accident."The drive to the hospital was a blur of tears and frantic prayers. I kept replaying our last conversation, the hurt in his eyes when I told him to leave, the way I'd pushed him away when all he wanted was to be part of our baby's life."Please let him be okay," I whispered over and over. "Ple

Chapter 9 Zara's POV The silence stretched between us like a chasm. Josh's face had gone completely pale, his fork frozen halfway to his mouth as my words hung in the air like a bomb that had just detonated. "Pregnant?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft jazz playing in the restaurant. I stammered, my hands trembling as I reached across the table. "Josh, I—I wanted to tell you. I really did, but—" "But what, Zara?" His voice was sharp now, cutting through my explanation like a blade. "But you thought it would be fun to keep me in the dark about my own child?" "It's not like that!" The words tumbled out frantically. "I was scared, okay? I didn't know how you'd react, and with everything that's been happening with Robert, and Katy being at the office, I just—" "So you decided to lie to me instead?" Josh's eyes blazed with fury as he set his fork down with enough force to make our wine glasses rattle. "How long have you known?" "A few weeks," I whispered, unable

Chapter 8 Zara’s POV I stared at the empty doorway where Katy had stood moments before, her threatening words echoing in my head. *One condition.* What could she possibly want from me? My hands were trembling as I sank back into my chair, trying to process what had just happened. Why was this happening to me? Just when I'd found something good, something that made me feel alive again, the past came crashing back to destroy it. Was I destined to never have anything good in my life? Was I cursed to always lose the people who mattered? A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts. "Come in," I called, quickly wiping my eyes. Josh appeared in the doorway, and my heart did that familiar skip it always did when I saw him. Today he looked particularly handsome in his navy suit, but his expression was concerned. "Hey," he said, closing the door behind him. "You okay? You seem... off today." "I'm fine," I said quickly, fidgeting with the papers on my desk. "Just tired." He moved clo