LOGINChapter 69Robert’s smile shifted, something darker crossing his face. “Actually, I’ve changed my mind. That would be too easy, too quick. I want something more permanent.”“What are you talking about?”“I want your company, Josh. All of it. I want you to transfer complete ownership to me. Sign over every account, every asset, every last dollar. Everything you’ve built, everything you’ve worked for, I want it all.”My stomach dropped. “Robert, that’s everything. That’s my entire life’s work.”“Exactly. That’s the point.” He pressed the knife harder against Zara’s throat, another drop of blood appearing. “You took everything from me. My dignity, my revenge, my plans. Now I’m taking everything from you.”“But I’ll have nothing. No income, no way to support Zara and the baby.”“That’s not my problem. Maybe you should have thought about that before you betrayed me.”I looked at Zara, at her terrified eyes, at her pregnant belly. What choice did I have?“Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll sign everyth
Chapter 68Josh’s POV“There’s an old warehouse on the east side. Maple Street, building 47. You know the one I’m talking about, Josh. The abandoned textile factory near the docks.”My mind raced. I knew exactly which building he meant. It had been shut down for years, completely isolated, surrounded by other abandoned structures. No one went there anymore. It was perfect for what Robert had in mind.“I know it.”“Good. You have one hour to get here. Both of you. And Josh? Come alone. Just you and Green. No police, no backup, no clever plans. I’ll know if you try anything. And if I even suspect you’ve contacted the authorities, Zara pays the price. Understood?”“Understood.”“One hour. Don’t be late.”The line went dead.Green and I stared at each other, both of us pale and shaking.“We have to call the police,” Green said immediately. “We can’t just walk into whatever trap he’s set.”“If we call the police, he’ll kill her. You heard him.”“If we don’t call the police, he might kill u
Chapter 67Josh’s POV Morning light filtered through Green’s curtains, but I’d been awake for hours. Sleep had been impossible, my mind tormented by images of Zara hurt, alone, afraid. Green emerged from her bedroom looking as haggard as I felt, dark circles under her eyes, her hair a mess. “Any news?” she asked, though she already knew the answer from my expression. “Nothing. I’ve been checking my phone every two minutes.” I held up the device like evidence of my desperation. “The police said they’d call if they found anything. But it’s been radio silence.” She moved to the kitchen and started making coffee with mechanical movements. “I can’t stop thinking about where she could be. I’ve racked my brain all night. Every place she’s ever mentioned, every location we’ve been together. Nothing makes sense.” “I keep thinking about Robert.” The name tasted like poison. “What if he…” “Don’t. Don’t go there yet. We don’t know anything for sure.” But we both knew. We could feel it. G
Chapter 66Josh’s POV Three days. Three days without a word from Zara. I’d expected her to be angry. Expected the silent treatment, the blocked number, the cold shoulder. That was normal after a fight. We’d been through disagreements before, and she always needed space to cool down. But this felt different. This felt wrong. My apartment had become a prison. Every room reminded me of her. Her coffee mug still sat on the kitchen counter. Her pregnancy pillow still took up half the bed. Her favorite blanket still smelled like vanilla. I couldn’t eat. Couldn’t sleep. Could barely function. Emma had stopped by twice, bringing food I couldn’t touch and advice I couldn’t follow. “Give her time,” she kept saying. But how much time? How long before “time” became “too late”? By the third day, the worry had transformed into full-blown panic. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones, that instinct that screamed danger even when logic said everything was fine. Even when we fought b
Chapter 65 Zara’s POV The next morning, I was sitting on Green’s couch trying to force down some toast when a loud, aggressive knock echoed through the apartment. Bang. Bang. Bang. Green looked up from her coffee, frowning. “Who the hell knocks like that?” “I don’t know, but whoever it is needs to learn some manners,” I muttered. The knocking continued, more insistent now. “Alright, alright! I’m coming!” Green stomped toward the door, muttering complaints under her breath. “Probably some delivery guy who thinks the world revolves around his schedule.” She yanked the door open, and her body went rigid. “You.” Robert stood in the doorway, a sick smile spreading across his face. Before Green could react, he shoved past her into the apartment, laughing like he’d just heard the funniest joke in the world. I shot to my feet, my hand instinctively going to my belly. “What the hell are you doing here?” “Visiting, of course. Can’t a man check on his dear ex-fiancée?” His eyes gleam
Chapter 64Zara’s POVI don’t remember how I got to Green’s apartment. One moment I was driving away from Josh’s office, tears blinding me, and the next I was pounding on her door, barely able to stand.Green opened the door, her face shifting from surprise to alarm.“Zara? Oh my god, what happened?”I collapsed into her arms, sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe. She held me up, half-dragging me inside and onto the couch.“Zara, talk to me. What’s wrong? Is it the baby? Are you hurt?”I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t form words. Every time I tried to speak, the image of Josh and Robert arguing flashed through my mind, and fresh waves of pain crashed over me.“Zara, please. You’re scaring me. What happened?”I shook my head, curling into myself, my hands protectively over my belly. Our son was kicking, probably sensing my distress, and that made me cry harder.Green sat beside me, her arm around my shoulders, murmuring soft reassurances while I fell apart. She didn’t push, didn’t demand answ







