All Chapters of Scars of Love,Flames of Betrayal: Chapter 41 - Chapter 47

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.

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 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