Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 25: Boys’ day out

Chapter 25: Boys’ day out

Zara’s face ashen as she heard Zane’s voice change from excitement to disappointment. "Mommy is really sorry, baby," she said softly, trying to soothe his fragile emotions. "You remember my leg was already hurt, right? Last night, I twisted it again accidentally, and it got worse. The doctor said I have to stay in bed for a while."

There was a small pause. Then Zane asked in a low, concerned voice, "Is it hurting a lot?"

Zara’s throat tightened. "Not much. It’ll get better if I rest properly." Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"Then you should rest," Zane said firmly. "Don’t go anywhere. We can go next time."

Zara’s eyes shimmered. That calm, understanding voice coming from someone so young tugged fiercely at her heart. His maturity often startled her. The guilt twisted her chest.

Still, she tried to lift his spirits. "Don’t cancel your trip, sweetheart. Go with Daddy. Enjoy your day."

Zane said with a hint of resignation, "But I want to go with both of you."

Before Zara could respond, another voice interrupted the call. "If your mommy isn’t coming, that’s fine." Nathaniel stepped into the room with a taut expression. His tone was cold, almost accusing. "I’m taking you there. We’ll have fun."

He snatched the phone from Zane and ended the call abruptly.

Back in the hospital room, Zara stared at her phone in disbelief.

"What?" she muttered in confusion. Then her expression hardened. "He cut the call?" A storm rose in her eyes. "Nathaniel. That heartless man. I had so much to say to Zane..."

Frustration bubbling inside her, she let out a huff and tossed the phone to the side of the bed.

Zane looked up at Nathaniel with trembling lips, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But Daddy... I want Mommy."

The innocent plea hit Nathaniel like a slap. His frustration grew. "Mommy, Mommy..." he muttered. "Is she all you ever think about? What about me? I’m here, skipping work just to take you out. Doesn’t that matter to you at all?"

Zane’s small shoulders tensed, startled and frightened by his father’s tone. His face crumpled as tears began to stream down his cheeks.

Paulina immediately moved in, wrapping her arms around Zane. "Nathaniel! What kind of way is that to speak to a child?" she scolded. "He misses his mother. It’s natural. You don’t lash out at him like that."

Nathaniel’s face fell, his lips parting as if to defend himself, but no words came out. He realized she was right. Regret tugged at his conscience. He raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing it as guilt sank in.

He stepped forward slowly, lowering himself onto the bed beside them. "Hey, love. I’m really sorry. I messed up. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that."

Zane peeked over Paulina’s shoulder with wary eyes, still sniffling, not quite ready to trust.

"I was upset, but that’s no excuse," Nathaniel continued, trying to mend the damage. He stretched out his arms. "Can you forgive me and give Daddy a hug?"

Zane hesitated, then slowly slid out of Paulina’s arms and moved toward him.

Nathaniel enveloped him in a tight hug. "There we go," he murmured, his voice cracking with relief. "We are good. You and me."

He was terrified at the thought that Zane might become upset with him and distance himself from him. The boy was the only piece of his beloved wife he had left, a living reminder of her, the one way he could still feel her presence in his life.

He brushed Zane’s hair with his hand. "Now come on, let’s get ready. It’s time to head out."

Zane nodded slightly but didn’t smile. "But... Mommy is not coming with us."

Nathaniel’s heart clenched again. The crushing weight of helplessness settled on his shoulders. For the first time, he truly saw the depth of the boy’s attachment to Zara. Their bond was far stronger than he had ever acknowledged.

When he first mentioned divorce, he hadn’t considered the emotional wreckage it might leave behind, especially in Zane’s heart. Now, that ignorance filled him with regret.

Zane was Nathaniel’s soft spot. Watching his son in pain had unraveled something in him. And if reconciling with Zara was what it took to keep Zane smiling, he was willing to try. He would do everything he could to salvage their broken marriage.

Forcing a cheerful smile onto his face, he said, "Today is our boys’ day out. Just you and me—we’ll have a blast. And next time, we’ll plan a proper vacation. You, me, and Mommy. Deal?"

Only then did Zane’s eyes brighten, a radiant smile blooming across his face. "Sounds good," he beamed.

"That’s a promise, then. Now go get your things." Nathaniel gave him a gentle pat on the back.

Zane hopped down from the bed and dashed off. Nathaniel remained still, his smile lingering as he watched him disappear. Relief flooded his chest. He had finally soothed his son’s sorrow.

"Is everything okay between you and Zara?" Paulina’s voice sliced through Nathaniel’s drifting thoughts.

Nathaniel turned to face his grandmother and met her suspicious gaze. "Nothing is going on," he said, trying to sound dismissive. But deep inside, an unease coiled tightly in his gut.

He couldn’t shake the gnawing thought that Zara had cancelled the trip just because of him. The idea stung more than he cared to admit.

"Don’t lie to me," Paulina shot back. "I may be old, but I’m not blind. I’ve seen the change in her. Zara has never behaved this way, never left Zane alone here at the mansion. And now she won’t even join you two, with an excuse of her leg pain. Something is off. What are you hiding from me?"

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed.

’Her leg...’

He hadn’t truly considered that she might have hurt herself worse. Guilt flared in his chest, followed by a sharp pang of worry. What if she had fallen or aggravated the injury?

He clenched his fists unconsciously.

"Why are you quiet?" Paulina pressed, eyes narrowing.

Nathaniel straightened up, slipping back into composure. "You are overthinking. Zara is focusing on her career now that Zane is older. I support her in that. And as for today, she just needs to rest."

Without waiting for her response, he strode out of the room.

"You think you can fool me?" She muttered under her breath. "I didn’t earn these grey hairs for nothing. Something is definitely wrong, and I’ll get to the bottom of it."

Nathaniel stepped into the corridor and pulled out his phone. As soon as the call connected, he instructed curtly, "Roberto, check on Zara. I need to know if she is alright."

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