Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You-Chapter 117: Danger

Hailey

Josh leans into the kiss, his hand cupping my cheek before I pull away. When we break apart, the world comes rushing back—people moving equipment, voices shouting orders, the acrid smell of electrical burn.

"I’m fine, really," Josh insists as the medic finishes examining him. "Just some bruises."

The medic nods. "Nothing broken, but you’ll be sore tomorrow."

I help Josh to his feet, steadying him when he winces. The studio has mostly returned to normal, though the damaged area is cordoned off with yellow tape.

"Show’s over, people," Marcus calls out. "Reset for the third location. We’ll continue in thirty."

I keep my arm around Josh’s waist as we move to the side of the studio. "You need to rest," I tell him, still feeling the aftershocks of fear.

"Honestly, I’m okay," he says, though he doesn’t pull away from my support. "Quick reflexes."

"Quick reflexes," I repeat, shaking my head. "You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck."

Josh’s eyes soften. "So... that kiss."

My cheeks flush. "Heat of the moment."

"Right," he says, not looking convinced. "Purely professional concern."

"Shut up," I mutter, but I’m fighting a smile.

The rest of the shoot passes without incident. Josh, despite his bruises, performs like nothing happened. I catch myself watching him more closely now, heart skipping whenever he winces slightly between takes.

By late afternoon, we’ve wrapped the final setup. The images look incredible even better than I’d dared hope. Marcus seems pleased, which apparently translates to fewer scowls and occasional grunts of approval.

We’re packing up when Tammy approaches, her expression unreadable. "Marcus wants to see you both in his office," she says. "Now."

Josh and I exchange glances. "Did he say why?" I ask.

Tammy shakes her head. "Just that it’s important."

My stomach knots. Did someone tell him about the kiss? Is he going to fire us both for unprofessional behavior?

Josh must sense my panic because he squeezes my hand briefly. "It’ll be fine," he whispers.

We follow Tammy up to the glass office where Marcus sits behind his desk, reviewing images on a large monitor. He doesn’t look up when we enter.

"Sit," he says, gesturing to the chairs.

We obey, and I notice Josh shifting uncomfortably, his bruises clearly making themselves known.

Marcus finally turns to face us, his expression as inscrutable as ever. "Today was... eventful."

I swallow hard. "Sir, about what happened—"

He raises a hand, cutting me off. "The equipment failure was not your fault. But..." he pauses dramatically before continuing. It sees that the light that fell has been tampered with."

My blood runs cold.

Tampered with?

Josh straightens in his chair. "Are you saying someone did it on purpose?"

Marcus nods slowly, his eyes locked on the two of us. "The rig wasn’t just loose. One of the main supports was cut—cleanly. We confirmed it when the techs examined it just now. Someone wanted that light to fall."

The air in the room shifts. Heavy. Dangerous.

Josh leans forward, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Do you have any idea who did it?"

"We’re reviewing security footage," Marcus replies. "But access to that rig was limited. Only a few crew members had clearance to adjust it. Until we know more, we’re treating this as sabotage."

I feel a chill seep into my bones. "Why would someone do that?"

Marcus turns his calculating gaze on Josh. "Maybe because of you."

Josh stiffens beside me. "Me? Why the hell would anyone target me?"

Marcus doesn’t blink. "You show up out of nowhere, crash a set, and suddenly end up in front of the camera. It doesn’t take much to stir up resentment. Models are competitive. Staff even more so. Someone might have decided you were... disposable."

"That’s insane," I whisper. "Josh barely knows anyone here."

"Exactly," Marcus says, steepling his fingers. "He’s a wildcard. Which makes people nervous. And sometimes nervous people do stupid, dangerous things."

Josh runs a hand through his hair, frustration written across his face. "So what now? You think I should leave?"

"On the contrary," Marcus replies coolly. "The shots from today were brilliant. The client’s already calling for early proofs. Josh, you’ve got presence. Raw talent. And now... a near-death experience to stir the press."

Josh and I exchange a stunned look.

"You’re not serious," I say, heart pounding.

Marcus offers a thin smile. "Don’t look so horrified. I won’t market the accident. But if it gets people talking, all the better. This industry thrives on whispers."

Josh looks like he might punch something. "So I’m supposed to just stay here and smile for the camera like nothing happened?"

Marcus shrugs. "Unless you’d rather go back to wherever you came from."

I glance at Josh, whose eyes are hard with unspoken thoughts. But underneath it, I see the truth: he’s rattled. So am I. And yet, neither of us moves.

I clear my throat which is suddenly bone dry. "I think you should go back home, Josh," I say.

Josh looks at me. "You want me to leave?"

"Yes. Someone tried to kill you and for what...jealousy? It isn’t worth the risk so just...leave," I say.

Josh stares at me, disbelief etched across his face. "I am not going to run away with my tail tucked in."

I flinch at the intensity in his tone, but he’s not done.

"You think I’m some reckless idiot, Hailey? That I don’t understand what just happened?" He steps closer, lowering his voice even more. "Someone tried to kill me. I get it. But running? Leaving you? That’s not who I am."

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "But..."

"I am staying and I dare that person to try again," he says.

Marcus raises an eyebrow, impressed or amused. It’s hard to tell. "Brave," he says dryly. "Or stupid."

Josh doesn’t flinch. "Take your pick."

I stand there, torn between admiration and sheer terror. "You’re going to get yourself hurt."

He turns to me then, eyes softening just a little. "I won’t let anyone hurt me. And I sure as hell won’t let anyone hurt you."

My heart stutters at that. "Josh..."

But before I can say more, Marcus rises from his desk, breaking the moment. "Fine. You’re staying. But from this point on, I’m increasing security. No one touches equipment without clearance. And Hailey..." He fixes me with a level stare. "I hope this is not going to interfere with the quality of your work."

"It won’t," I say dryly.

"Dismissed," Marcus says, already turning back to his monitor.

Josh and I walk out in silence, the glass door clicking shut behind us. Down the hall, the set is mostly cleared, just a few techs and assistants lingering, unaware of how close we came to tragedy.

Josh slides a glance at me. "You’re mad."

I stop walking. "A little"

He steps in front of me. "I will be fine."

"So you say," I bark.

His lips curl into a small smile. "How about you take me out on a date after work to make up for what happened today?" he asks slyly.

I blink. "A date? After someone tried to flatten you with a stage light?"

Josh grins. "What better way to celebrate not dying?"

I shake my head, torn between exasperation and laughter. "You are unbelievable."

He shrugs, a playful glint in his eye. "You kissed me earlier. Seems only fair I buy you dinner now."

"That was CPR for your ego," I shoot back, but the corner of my mouth betrays me, twitching upward.

Josh steps closer, his voice softer now. "You’re scared. I get it. But so am I. So let’s just...not pretend this didn’t change something between us."

I look up at him, seeing past the cocky smile to the nerves he’s masking beneath. The tension from earlier still coils in my gut, but something else has taken root too, something warmer, sharper.

I sigh. "Fine. One dinner. But if you almost die again, I’m billing you for emotional damages."

Josh laughs. "Deal."

He offers me his hand. And despite everything, the fear, the danger, the uncertainty, I take it.