Semua Bab Scars of Love,Flames of Betrayal: Bab 11 - Bab 16

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 15Josh's POVI stood in my driveway for a long moment, staring at the broken glass scattered across the concrete. My hands were still shaking—not from fear, but from the adrenaline crash. The whole encounter had lasted maybe three minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.The cut on my cheek stung as I finally made my way to the front door, fishing my keys from my pocket with fingers that felt clumsy and foreign. Everything felt surreal, like I was moving through thick water.Inside, I headed straight to my home office. Thank God I kept a backup phone in my desk drawer—an old habit from my early business days when losing communication could cost thousands. My fingers moved mechanically as I powered it on and started making calls."Bank of America? Yes, this is Josh Anderson. Account number 4471..." The process was tedious but necessary. Block the cards, freeze the accounts, change the passwords on anything linked to my stolen phone. Each call felt like building a wall between mys

Chapter 16Zara's POVI woke up to the sound of keys jingling at the front door. Josh's arm was wrapped around me, and I realized we were still on the couch, both of us barely dressed. I was in my bra and panties, and Josh had his trousers on but no shirt."Zara!" Green's voice rang out cheerfully as she walked through the door. "I'm home and I brought Chinese—" She stopped dead in her tracks, taking in the scene before her.I felt my face burn with embarrassment as I scrambled to cover myself with Josh's shirt. "Green! I can explain—""Honey, no need to explain anything," Green laughed, setting down her bags. "You're with your man. I get it. Just maybe next time use the bedroom? The couch is where I eat my cereal."Josh was trying not to laugh beside me, which only made me more mortified."I'm just going to my room and pretend I didn't see anything," Green called over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway. "But next time, maybe hang a sock on the door or something!""Oh my