Chapter Four

My phone buzzes, breaking the heavy silence that settled after Lisa’s call. I glance at the screen.

Josh: Hey, I’m downstairs. I freeze. They keep coming one after the other

Josh.

Memories slam into me with the force of a tidal wave.

This was the day. The day I had introduced him to my father. The day my father—trusting, kind, loving—welcomed him into our family, into our company, without hesitation. I had been so happy back then, so grateful that my father approved of him. That he had seen what I saw—someone strong, reliable, someone who I thought would always be by my side.

But now, I see it differently..

Josh had been scheming from the very start. From the moment he walked through those doors, he had been planning his rise, his betrayal. He played the perfect boyfriend, the perfect employee, all while carving out his own path to power. And I had handed it to him.

I feel sick.

How much of it was real? Did he ever care for me at all? Or was I just another piece in Lisa’s grand design?

My hands shake as I grip my phone, my heart pounding. I shouldn’t go down there. I should ignore him, pretend I’m sick, do anything but face him. But a dark, burning anger simmers beneath my skin, louder than my fear.

I need to see him.

I need to look him in the eye and remind myself of who he really is.

Grabbing my coat, I take a steadying breath and head downstairs and step outside, and there he is.

Josh leans against his sleek black car, casually scrolling through his phone like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He looks the same—dark hair perfectly styled, sharp jawline, that effortless confidence in the way he stands. But now, all I see is the man who helped tear my family apart.

The man I once loved. The man who betrayed me.

He looks up and I can see his face is shrouded in mild irritation, I could also easily pick up the fake smile he puts on. How was I so damn blind before? Oh, how do I get out of this.

“Hey,” he says smoothly, pushing off his car. “Are they ready for me?”

There’s an easy confidence in his tone, like he already knows the answer, like he’s sure my father would drop everything just to meet with him.

I keep my expression neutral, masking the resentment bubbling beneath my skin. “No,” I say simply

Josh’s fake smile remains in place, but I don’t miss the flicker of irritation in his eyes. He exhales, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So, when do you think he’ll be ready?”

I hesitate just long enough to make it seem natural. “It might take a while,” I say, making a show of glancing back at the building. “There was a last-minute issue with one of the board members. He’s handling it personally.”

Josh frowns. “Board problems? That doesn’t sound like something that should come up last minute.”

I shrug, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “You know how these things go. One disagreement and suddenly everything is a mess.”

He exhales sharply. “Yeah, tell me about it.” Then, as if to remind me how important he is, he casually adds, “My dad’s dealing with something similar right now. You know how it is with our family—we’re always in the thick of things.”

I almost roll my eyes.

He always did this—dropped hints about his family’s supposed influence in the capital, like it was meant to impress me. At first, I’d been intrigued, maybe even a little in awe of the connections he boasted about. Now, I just see it for what it is.

Empty words.

I hum in response, giving him nothing. “Anyway,” I say, shifting my weight, “I don’t think today’s a good day for a meeting. He’ll probably be tied up for hours. Maybe you should reschedule?”

Josh glances back at his car, considering. “I did have other things to do today…”

“Exactly.” I force a small, apologetic smile. “I’d hate for you to waste your time just waiting around.”

He nods slowly, seeming to accept it. “Yeah, alright. Just let me know when he’s free, okay?”

“Of course.”

He gives me one last lingering look before stepping toward his car. “See you later, Anna.”

I don’t respond. I just watch as he gets in and drives away.

Only when his car disappears around the corner do I let out a slow breath, my shoulders finally relaxing.

I did it.

I turned him away.

I should feel relieved, but all it does is bring back the memories I try so hard to bury—the things he took from me, the cruel words he threw at me after I caught him with Lisa.

“You weren’t enough.”

“I needed someone who actually understands me.”

“Did you really think we’d last?”

I swallow the lump in my throat, shaking off the sting of old wounds.

Not today.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I turn and head back inside. My family is waiting, and I won’t let Josh take another second of my time.