Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 12: Zara, Zane’s nanny?

Chapter 12: Zara, Zane’s nanny?

"Home? No, I’m not going there," Zara objected sharply, wriggling in Nathaniel’s arms. "Put me down."

"Stop moving," he warned, tightening his grip. "I’m losing my hold. If I drop you, it’s on you."

Zara glanced nervously at the steps below, picturing herself tumbling down and getting hurt, especially with the delicate life growing inside her. Instinctively, she clutched his neck tightly and stilled.

Nathaniel noticed her sudden change and couldn’t help the faint tug at the corner of his lips. For the first time in what felt like forever, he truly appreciated her compliance. Wordlessly, he carried her to the car and settled her into the passenger seat.

"You don’t have to do this," she muttered, not meeting his gaze. "We are getting divorced. We should keep our distance."

The word divorce made his jaw tighten. "Can’t we talk about something without bringing that up?" he grunted with irritation.

Zara blinked, caught off guard. She opened her mouth to respond, but he had already shut the door and circled around to the driver’s side. Sliding into the seat, he started the engine.

"We are going to see Zane," he said flatly. "He misses you."

She crossed her arms, exhaling in frustration. "I’m starting work again. I want to build my own life, focus on my career. Eventually, I won’t have time. It’s better if Zane starts getting used to not having me around."

Nathaniel glanced at her, eyes hard. "You don’t have to cut yourself off from him. And don’t mention anything about the divorce to Zane. He is just a kid. He doesn’t need to carry that burden."

"But—"

"Seatbelt," he interrupted, his tone clipped and cold.

Zara turned her face away as she muttered under her breath, "To you, I’m nothing more than Zane’s nanny."

She reached for the seatbelt and tugged it, but it jammed. She tugged again—no use.

Nathaniel sighed and leaned over.

Zara stiffened, startled by his sudden closeness. His face hovered just inches from hers, his every exhale brushing against her skin.

He clicked the seatbelt into place. But when he turned toward her, something shifted. Their eyes met, hers wide and startled.

He found himself frozen in that gaze, held captive by the warm amber of her eyes. For the first time in years, he wasn’t just seeing her, he was truly noticing her. There was a quiet, breathtaking beauty in her expression that he had somehow overlooked all these years.

Before he could stop himself, he began leaning in further. His lips hovered near hers.

Zara’s heart pounded. ’Is he... about to kiss me?’

She raised her hand and pressed her fingers against his lips.

Nathaniel froze. The spell shattered. He blinked, stunned by his own action. ’What was I just about to do?’

Zara wrinkled her nose and muttered, "Can you move aside? You smell awful."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at her, visibly offended. "What? Are you saying I stink?"

Zara placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away, creating some space between them. "Your cologne... it smells weird. It’s making me nauseous."

Nathaniel’s brows furrowed. He leaned his head slightly downward, sniffing his own shirt in confusion. This was the same cologne she used to compliment, one of her favorites, in fact.

Was she just trying to push him away now that divorce was on the table?

The mere thought stirred something uncomfortable in his chest.

"You..." he started, lifting a finger to confront her.

Ring-ring-ring...

The sudden chime of his phone interrupted him.

He pulled back, clearly irritated, but masked it as he turned toward the window. He reached into his coat pocket and answered the call.

"Hello?"

His mother’s cold tone rang out. "Your grandmother has returned. She wants to see you and Zara. Are you coming?"

"Is that so?" Nathaniel’s gaze flicked to Zara. After a brief pause, he added, "Alright, I’ll be there soon."

"And Zara? Are you going to pick her up?"

"She is with me," he replied curtly before ending the call.

Tossing the phone onto the dashboard, he said coolly, "Grandma is back. She wants to see us."

Zara turned sharply toward Nathaniel. His grandmother was kind and warm and had always treated her like a real granddaughter. The news of her sudden return unsettled Zara.

That old lady had gone to a holistic retreat for her health and wasn’t expected back for months. Why the early return? Had someone told her about the divorce? The thought made Zara’s chest tighten. Was it Gracie? Or maybe Riya?

Just as she was lost in speculation, Nathaniel’s voice broke through. "Grandma is old and weak. I don’t want to give her any tension at this age. She shouldn’t know about our divorce."

Zara nodded slowly. She couldn’t argue with that. The last thing she wanted was to put stress on the fragile old woman. "I won’t let her know," she replied quietly. "But sooner or later, the truth will come out. How long are you planning to keep it a secret?"

Nathaniel’s expression darkened, his knuckles whitening slightly against the steering wheel. Her detached tone struck a nerve. Her calm acceptance, her readiness to part ways unsettled him.

He had drawn up the divorce papers himself decisively. But now, seeing her so willing to walk away without a fight, stirred something bitter within him.

That wasn’t the reaction he had expected. He had prepared himself for anger, tears, pleas... not this icy resolve. It was as if she had been waiting for this moment to walk out of this marriage.

The more she acted to distance herself from him, the more he grew annoyed. Had all those years meant nothing to her? Had everything she ever shown him—her patience, her care, her loyalty—been an act?

The thought made his expression grow stormy. "You don’t need to worry about that. Just don’t say a word to Zane or Grandma. I’m warning you."

He focused on driving.

Zara remained silent, choosing not to respond. She leaned back into the seat, letting the quiet envelope her. Her gaze drifted to the outside, watching the blur of buildings, trees, and streets pass by.

Her vision began to blur as tears welled up. A dull ache settled deep in her chest.

’I’ve given everything into this marriage,’ she thought painfully. ’My heart, my time, my devotion... I’ve raised Zane like he was my own child. I loved you even when you were cold, when you barely saw me.’

A tear slipped down her cheek.

’Was it too much to hope that you’d love me back—just a little?’