Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 73: Nathaniel’s strange behavior

"Damn, Zara... you are brave," Bree said, pulling Nathaniel out of his thoughts as he stood just outside the door, still eavesdropping. "Are you really ready to live with that iceberg?"

Zara shot her a sharp look. "Didn’t you just say he has changed?"

"I didn’t..." Bree held up her hands in surrender. "I was asking you!"

Zara rolled her eyes. "You are confusing me."

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. The joy that had bloomed just moments ago twisted into irritation. ’If Zara has a friend like Bree,’ he thought bitterly, ’she doesn’t need enemies.’

Forcing his expression neutral, he stepped into the room.

"Thanks for the lunch, Bree," he said tightly. "I’ll take it from here. You must be tired. You should head home."

Bree blinked, caught off guard by the sudden cold tone. "Tired? Not at all," she replied brightly, flashing a smile. "Actually, you should rest. You have been running on fumes since you got back from that trip. I can stay with Zara all day. You come back later."

She lifted her chin, a smug smile on her face.

Nathaniel’s jaw ticked, the vein in his temple pulsing. He opened his mouth, ready to snap back, but Zara spoke before he could.

"Bree, you should go," she said calmly. "Didn’t you say the event is in two days? I’m sure you have plenty to take care of."

Bree’s lips parted to protest, but she saw the decisive look in Zara’s eyes. Zara wanted her to leave.

"Since you put it that way, I’ll leave." Bree stood up with a sigh and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I’ll keep you posted about the event."

She turned to the lunchbox. "Make sure you eat while it’s still hot."

With a little wave, she walked out, leaving the two of them alone.

Nathaniel muttered something under his breath.

Zara narrowed her eyes at him. "Did you just say something?"

He shook his head quickly. "No—nothing."

Trying to change the subject, he nodded toward the door. "What was that event she mentioned?"

Zara’s face lit up. "It’s the biggest fashion show in the city," she explained. "Designers from all over participate every year."

Her eyes sparkled with nostalgia as she remembered winning the best designer award at that very event five years ago. Since then, she hadn’t been able to participate, choosing instead to pour all her energy into her marriage, putting her career on hold.

"Five years ago, I was part of that event," she recalled. "And this time again, I am participating. I won’t be there in person, but my designs will be on display. I’m really looking forward to it."

Nathaniel was captivated by the nostalgic glow in her eyes. Regret twisted in his chest as he realized how deeply he had neglected her over the years.

He had never asked what she wanted, what she sacrificed. Now, seeing her eyes glow with passion, he understood how much fashion designing mattered to her.

’I won’t let her give up her dreams again,’ he told himself. ’This time, I’ll be there.’

His eyes drifted to the lunchbox. "Why don’t you eat first? Then we can talk."

His final words sent her heart into a flutter. She had been waiting for this, waiting to finally talk to him, to hear how he had found her, what went through his mind when he learned she was in danger. She longed to know if he truly cared. But now that the moment had finally arrived, a nervous tension settled over her.

"Yes, I’ll eat then," she said, reaching for the lunchbox. Then she paused and looked at him. "What about you? Aren’t you eating?"

"Don’t worry about me," he said flippantly. "Someone from the house will bring my meal. You eat first. You need to take your medicine after."

Zara nodded slowly, peeling the lid off the box, her mind already running through the questions she had yet to ask.

The food was simple—steamed rice topped with tender vegetables and soft cubes of tofu. It brought a soft smile to Zara’s face. She knew it was Jasper’s doing.

He always paid attention. Always thoughtful.

Noticing her smile, Nathaniel peered into the lunchbox, curious about what Bree had brought. But as his eyes landed on the plain food, his brows furrowed.

This? Just rice and veggies? And yet... she was smiling.

"Why are you smiling?" The question slipped out before he could stop himself.

"I’m smiling because of Jasper’s thoughtfulness," she said. "He is so caring. He knows exactly what I should be eating right now."

Caring.

The word hit Nathaniel like ice water.

His expression hardened instantly. ’She called that guy caring over a lunchbox?’

Had she already forgotten everything he had done, risking his life to rescue her, staying by her side all night, quietly dealing with the people who hurt her?

She hadn’t thanked him yet. But Jasper sent her rice, and suddenly, he was caring?

Jealousy and frustration flared in his chest. Just as she was about to take a spoonful, he snatched the lunchbox from her hands.

Zara froze. "What are you doing?"

Before she could process what was happening, he crossed the room and dumped the entire lunchbox into the trash.

She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Her eyes widened with disbelief and then narrowed in fury as she turned toward him.

"Why would you do that?" she snapped. "My friend made that for me."

Nathaniel met her glare with a cold look of his own. "That lunchbox didn’t look clean," he said coolly. "I don’t know how hygienic that food is. I don’t want you getting sick."

"You are saying my friend sent me unhygienic food?" Zara exclaimed, disbelief flashing in her eyes as her anger rose.

"I don’t know," Nathaniel replied with a shrug, keeping his tone detached. "I don’t want to take the risk." freēnovelkiss.com

"You—" She raised a finger, ready to fire back, but he cut her off.

"The food is being brought from the mansion," he said firmly. "There is no reason for you to eat anything else."

Her brows furrowed in frustration. "He made that meal himself," she argued. "He knows exactly what I can eat and what I need right now."

"He doesn’t need to cook for you," Nathaniel snapped, his voice suddenly sharper. "The Grant family can take care of its daughter-in-law."

Nathaniel hadn’t objected to the food until she had mentioned Jasper’s name. Her mind spun with the thought.

Was that jealousy?

She immediately pushed it away. ’No. He doesn’t have feelings for me... He knows Jasper’s gay. There is no reason to feel jealous.’

Grinding her teeth, Zara clenched her jaw, seething quietly.

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