Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 71: Nathaniel’s fear

Nathaniel stepped toward them, one step at a time, his eyes never leaving Zara’s.

The entire drive back, he had wrestled with one question: ’Would she speak with me? Would she even look at me?’

After everything she had said, he had assumed she wouldn’t even want to look at him. But now, as their eyes met, he could sense something was different, that something in her had changed.

The fire that once burned in her eyes had softened. The sharp edge in them was gone. In its place was something quieter... more thoughtful. He couldn’t tell if it was forgiveness or simply exhaustion, but it made his chest loosen a little.

Was it because Zane was here? Or had something shifted while he was gone?

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Paulina’s voice sliced through the quiet.

"Where have you been?"

He turned to her, surprised by the firm note in her tone.

"I expected you to be here," she continued, her expression laced with disappointment. "Instead, Zara’s friend was the one sitting by her side. Where did you rush off to so early?"

Nathaniel tensed. He could see the criticism in his grandmother’s eyes, and worse, when he glanced back at Zara, the same unspoken question lingered in hers.

Was she doubting him again?

’Damn it.’

He couldn’t tell them the truth, that he had gone to confront Isaac. So he kept it vague.

"I... got a call," he said carefully. "Something urgent came up—related to the kidnapping case."

He didn’t elaborate. He wouldn’t lie outright, but the truth was far too dark for this room.

Paulina didn’t press for more details, assuming the urgent call must have come from the police. Instead, she stood up from her chair. "Now that you are back, we’ll head out. Come on, Zane—let’s go home."

She reached out her hand, but Zane tightened his grip around Zara, burying his face into her shoulder.

"Let me stay a little longer," he pleaded, clinging to her.

"Zane, sweetheart," Paulina said softly, caressing his hair, "your mommy needs to rest. We’ll come back later. I promise."

But Zane shook his head stubbornly. "No... I don’t want to leave."

Zara looked down at him, her arms still gently wrapped around his small body. "Let him stay," she urged.

Paulina hesitated, eyeing her carefully. "Are you sure? Won’t he keep you from resting?"

"I’m fine," Zara replied. "I feel good when he is around."

Nathaniel stepped in. "It’s alright. He can stay for a while. I’ll call the driver to take him home in about an hour."

Paulina finally relented, giving a small nod. "Alright, I’ll leave him with you, then."

With one last look at Zara and Zane, she turned and walked out.

As the door clicked shut behind Paulina, a calm stillness settled over the room. Nathaniel stood silently near the bed, casting a glance in Zara’s direction but keeping his thoughts to himself.

Zara didn’t speak either. She focused her attention on Zane, whose head rested comfortably against her.

"Feeling better now?" she asked.

Zane looked up, his eyes bright. "Yes. I missed you so much. I wanted to see you. I even woke up early all by myself today."

Zara raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You woke up on your own?"

This was the same boy she had to practically drag out of bed each morning, bribe with breakfast, or threaten with being late for school. The fact that he had jumped out of bed on his own to see her made something stir in her chest.

"Yes," Zane said proudly. "I got up early, got ready, and came here right after breakfast."

Zara’s smile widened. "I’m impressed. Maybe you should start doing that more often. Make it a habit."

Zane grinned sheepishly. "I was just excited today. I don’t know if I can wake up that early every day."

"Oh?" Zara arched a playful brow. "Getting clever, are you?"

Before he could reply, she tickled his side.

Zane burst into laughter, squirming and pulling away with a giggle.

Nathaniel sat quietly in the chair beside the bed as he watched Zara and Zane with a faint, nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. The soft sound of their laughter and playful chatter stirred something warm in him. He caught a glimpse of what peace could look like.

But the moment was broken as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

A message from Roberto.

’Isaac is still refusing to speak, sir. What’s next?’

Nathaniel’s expression immediately shifted, the warmth in his eyes vanishing. He straightened slightly, his muscles tensing. He began typing a response.

’Start the process of taking over the company. Make him transfer all the Moore assets to Zara. Evict his wife—she is no longer entitled to the Moore estate. That property belongs to my wife.’

The reply came back fast. ’Understood, sir.’

Nathaniel’s focus stayed glued to the screen, unaware of the eyes watching him.

Zara’s gaze lingered on him, a flicker of irritation sparking in her expression. ’Unbelievable,’ she thought. ’He is really sitting there, but he is busy with his phone. Certainly, it’s about business.’

She shook her head with a sigh and turned her attention back to Zane, pushing the irritation aside.

Their conversation continued, light and easy, full of giggles and playful remarks. Zane babbled about school, his friends, and the storybooks he had read lately. Zara listened with genuine warmth, her mood lifted by her son’s presence.

And while Nathaniel didn’t say much, he stayed close, occasionally glancing up from his phone, a small smile forming as he watched them. He remained mostly quiet, but he was content in his heart.

An hour slipped by in the blink of an eye. The driver arrived to take Zane home.

Nathaniel finally broke his silence. "Zane, it’s time to go," he said gently but firmly.

Zane’s face fell instantly. "Why can’t I stay with Mommy?" he whined, his lower lip jutting out in protest.

"Don’t start." His tone turned serious. "Your mommy needs rest. Once she is discharged, you can be with her all you want. Understood?"

Zane didn’t argue, but the disappointment in his eyes was unmistakable. He gave a small nod. "Understood. I’ll go."

He leaned in and hugged Zara one last time before slipping off the bed and leaving with the driver.

As the door closed behind him, a thick silence fell over the room.

Nathaniel stayed near the foot of the bed, unsure. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words stuck. Every possible sentence felt like it might make things worse.

He glanced around aimlessly, trying to ease the awkwardness, but his gaze kept landing back on her. When their eyes briefly met, he offered a faint, unsure smile.

Zara didn’t return it.

His smile faded almost instantly. "I—I’ll call the doctor," he said, ready to leave.

"There is no need," Zara replied coolly, halting him. "He already came by this morning."

"Oh... okay. Then maybe I’ll go get you something to eat."

"I’ve eaten," she said flatly.

Nathaniel turned back to her, startled. "You have?"

"Bree brought chicken broth," she added, her tone still guarded.

He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "That’s... good." He looked toward the door. "Then I’ll just ask the doctor about your discharge..."

He moved quickly, like he couldn’t get out of the room fast enough.

Zara frowned, watching him retreat. ’Why is he in such a rush to leave?’ she wondered, frustrated.

"Wait," she said suddenly.

He stopped at the door, hand on the knob, but didn’t turn around.

"I need to talk to you."

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