Chapter4
1125 Words
Josh’s POV
Erika betrayed me.
My mind kept repeating that sentence, over and over again.
Why would she do that to me? Why would she carry another man’s baby and call it mine? How could she?
A loud noise rose from outside the building, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Shouting. Camera shutters. Voices overlapping each other.
I moved toward the window and looked down.
The PRESS..
They were gathered in front of the building, microphones raised, cameras already rolling.
I swallowed and straightened my suit jacket.
Of course, they were there.
They always came when things were falling apart.
I adjusted my cuffs and took a deep breath. I was ready to go down and face them. I had handled worse.
Then the door to my office burst open.
“Sir, we might have a problem.”
Emily, my secretary, stood there, breathing fast, her tablet clutched to her chest.
“Yes, I can see them from here,” I said coldly. “I’ll give them a statement and send them away.”
“I’m afraid that’s the least of our problems right now,” she said, stepping closer. Her fingers moved rapidly across her screen.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
She hesitated, then turned the tablet toward me.
Dozens of emails about contracts terminated, mergers suspended, partnerships withdrawn, rolled in.
My nose flared.
My eyes scanned one of them.
‘Due to recent developments, we are no longer able to continue with this agreement.’
Another one: ‘We cannot be associated with your company at this time.’
And another : ‘The board has decided to reconsider your leadership.’
My jaw tightened.
“What is this?” I demanded.
“Three hospital chains pulled out this morning,” Emily said quietly. “The Kessler merger is on hold. Investors are calling nonstop.”
I laughed without humor. “Because of what? My divorce?”
Emily hadn’t told me yet, but I could take a guess. I hadn’t had a peaceful day since my divorce or engagement.
It felt like a curse had been placed on me. But I wasn’t given in either.
“They’re linking it to the engagement,” she said. “And… your ex-wife.”
My chest tightened.
Erika.
I turned away from her and looked back at the window. The shouting outside had grown louder.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered. “Personal life doesn’t ruin businesses.”
Emily didn’t answer.
I was about to speak again when the door opened behind me.
“I thought I told you I didn’t want to see anyone,” I snapped without turning around.
“Josh…”
The voice wasn’t Emily’s.
It was softer.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned around.
Monica stood by the door, dressed perfectly, her lips painted, her hair neat. She looked like she had stepped out of a magazine.
Emily slipped out quietly.
Monica walked toward me like nothing was wrong.
“I heard the press was here,” she said lightly. “I wanted to see how you were.”
I didn’t move. “You shouldn’t be here.”
She smiled and reached for my arm. “We’re getting married. People are going to see us together anyway.”
I pulled my arm away. “This is not the time.”
She ignored that and stepped closer, her voice dropping. “They’re outside because of us. Isn’t that exciting?”
My blood boiled.
“Exciting?” I repeated.
“Yes,” she said, tilting her head. “You and me. Engagement. New beginning.”
I shoved her hand away. “Get out.”
Her smile flickered, but she didn’t leave. “Why are you acting like this?”
“Because everything is collapsing,” I snapped. “And you’re standing here talking about rings.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re angry because you still miss her.”
I stiffened.
“Don’t say her name.”
“Erika,” she said slowly. “The woman who cheated on you with her first love.”
Something snapped inside me.
I grabbed her wrist and slammed her back against the wall.
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t scream.
“You don’t get to talk about her,” I growled.
She smiled faintly. “You still love her.”
I shoved her away.
“You’re insane,” I said.
She straightened her dress. “You’re the one obsessed. She’s gone. She humiliated you. And now she’s pregnant by another man.”
My fists clenched.
“You don’t know what happened,” I said.
She laughed softly. “I know she chose someone else over you. That should be enough.”
I turned away from her and walked toward the stairs.
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Running again?” She called after me. “Just like she did?”
I didn’t answer.
Downstairs, the noise exploded.
“Josh!”
“Mr. Allen!”
“Is your ex-wife pregnant?”
“Why are you marrying her best friend?”
“Did she cheat?”
Flashes blinded me. Microphones were shoved into my face.
I pushed through them.
“Sir, are the rumors true?”
“Are you still getting married?”
“Was the baby yours?”
One thing I hated about the PRESS was how they got information, no matter how much it stayed hidden.
My chest felt tight. My ears rang.
I broke free and ran toward my car.
I locked the doors the moment I got inside.
My hands were shaking.
Breath, Josh.
I bent forward, resting my forehead on the steering wheel.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
The shouting outside sounded distant now.
My phone vibrated.
I shut my eyes, expecting an email from another company who wanted to cancel.
I forced myself to check, and it was from an unknown number.
I frowned and opened it.
‘Good job. I knew you’d follow the plan. Now keep it going.’
I knew who it was instantly.
I scrolled down my contact list, looking for a particular number.
I found it and then dialed it.
“What do you want from me this time? I divorced Erika already, and I’m getting married soon.”
“Good.” He laughed with a husk in his voice.
My jaw clenched.
“You said all these wouldn’t happen. You assured me,” I complained.
He laughed slowly, “Josh Allen, the man you are,” he laughed again. “I’m not done until I say so and Erika pays for what she did to me.”
“I just don't understand how you could do such a thing,”
“Leave it all to me, else, she won’t be the only one that’ll be miserable.”
- Writer
