Chapter 337

Chapter 337

Sara's Point of View

Something changed in Josh after that man appeared in the alley. The warmth we'd built, those precious moments of connection - all vanished behind walls higher than ever before. He moved through meetings and photoshoots like a ghost, checking his phone constantly with hands that sometimes shook.

I watched him now during a contract negotiation, noting the dark circles under his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. Twice he missed important points the client made, something the old Josh would never do.

"Are we boring you, Mr. Sinclair?" The client asked sharply after repeating himself a third time.

Josh startled, glancing at his buzzing phone before silencing it. "My apologies. You were saying about the international clause?"

But his attention drifted again almost immediately as another message lit up his screen. The flash of fear in his eyes made my heart clench.

"Perhaps we should take a break," I suggested smoothly, saving him from further embarrassment.

The moment we were alone, he headed for the door. "I need to make some calls."

"Josh, wait." I caught his sleeve. "Talk to me. Please. What's going on?"

"Nothing you need to worry about." He wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Really? Because you've barely slept all week. You flinch every time your phone buzzes. That man in the alley clearly terrified you-"

"I said drop it." His voice came sharp with an edge I'd never heard before.

Hurt bloomed in my chest. "I thought... after everything we've shared... I thought you trusted me."

Something cracked in his expression. "This isn't about trust."

"Then what is it about? What could be so terrible you can't even look at me?"

His phone buzzed again. The color drained from his face as he read whatever message appeared.

"I have to go." He pulled away from my grasp.

"Josh, please. Whatever's happening, let me help."

"You can't." His laugh held no humor. "Nobody can."

He strode out, leaving me alone with growing fear in my gut. This wasn't just his usual emotional distance. This was something darker.

That evening, I found him in his office long after everyone else had gone home. Papers covered his desk - bank statements, property records, things that had nothing to do with my career.

"You missed dinner," I said softly. "The quadruplets were disappointed."

He quickly gathered the papers, shoving them in a drawer. "I had things to handle."

"Things involving that man? Marcus?"

His head snapped up. "How do you know his name?"

"I heard him say it." I moved closer, noting how he tensed. "Josh, you're scaring me. Not because I'm afraid of you, but because I'm afraid for you."

"Don't be." He stood, maintaining distance between us. "Everything's fine."

"Stop lying to me!" The words burst out louder than intended. "You think I can't see you drowning? Think I don't notice how you're pulling away from everyone who cares about you?"

"Sara-"

"No, you don't get to shut me out. Not after everything. Not after that night in the kitchen when you finally started letting me in."

Pain flashed across his face. "That was a mistake."

The words cut deep. "Was it? Or are you just saying that because you're afraid?"

"You don't understand what's at stake."

"Then help me understand!" I moved into his space, forcing him to look at me. "Whatever he's threatening you with, whatever happened in your past - it can't be worse than watching you destroy yourself."

His phone buzzed yet again. This time I was close enough to glimpse the message: "Time's running out. Two days left."

"Is he blackmailing you?" The pieces started clicking. "Is that why you're looking at bank records?"

"Let it go." Real fear edged his voice. "Please. For both our sakes."

"No." I caught his hand before he could retreat. "I'm not letting you face this alone."

For a moment, his fingers curled around mine like a lifeline. The mask cracked, showing such raw anguish it took my breath away.

Then his phone buzzed again and the walls slammed back up. He pulled away, gathering his things quickly.

"Go home, Sara. Forget about tonight. Forget about..." He swallowed hard. "Forget about everything."

"That's not possible and you know it." I blocked his path to the door. "I care about you too much to watch you self-destruct."

"Then stop caring." His voice cracked. "Stop looking at me like I'm worth saving."

"Never." I touched his face gently. "Whatever demons you're fighting, whatever secrets you're protecting - they don't change how I feel."

For a heartbeat, he leaned into my touch. Then another message lit up his phone and he jerked away like I'd burned him.

"They should," he whispered. "They will."

He brushed past me, leaving me alone with the ghost of his touch and a growing determination.

If he wouldn't let me help openly, I'd have to find another way. Because one thing was certain - I wasn't losing him to whatever shadows from his past were trying to drag him under.

Not without a fight.