Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 42: Zane is her sister’s son, not hers.

Chapter 42: Zane is her sister’s son, not hers.

This wasn’t the Riya he remembered. Her makeup was thick, exaggerated—the deep red lipstick matching the dress that clung tightly to her body. The plunging neckline left little to the imagination, and the look in her eyes was bold, flirtatious.

For a moment, he barely recognized her.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his voice sharp with irritation as he eyed her outfit. "And what the hell are you wearing?"

Before she could respond, he stood, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over her shoulders protectively, shielding her exposed skin. His protection made Riya’s breath catch.

Her heart fluttered. That single act of concern stirred something dangerous inside her. She had longed for his attention, for his care, his affection. And now, it felt almost like he was hers.

"You shouldn’t be here," he said. "Come on. I’ll drop you home."

He reached out, grabbing her wrist, ready to pull her out of the bar.

But Riya resisted. "No, wait. I’m here to celebrate my friend’s birthday. Everyone is waiting for me on the dance floor. I can’t leave now."

Dance floor?

Nathaniel’s expression darkened.

The club’s dance area was through a soundproof door at the far end. He couldn’t see it, but he could imagine the scene—blaring music, flashing lights, and bodies moving wildly, half in a trance from alcohol and drugs.

The idea of Riya in that space made his stomach twist.

"You are not going there," he said flatly. "Call your friend and tell her you are leaving. Now."

His tone was cold and commanding.

Riya pouted as she looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "It’s her birthday. I can’t just walk out and disappoint her. Please, Nathaniel?"

She slipped her hands around his and swayed it from side to side like a child asking for a favor. "I promise I won’t dance. I’ll stay right here with you. When she comes out, I’ll talk to her, and then we can leave if you want."

Nathaniel hesitated, his stern gaze locked on her. He still didn’t like her being here, but keeping her beside him was better than letting her wander off to the chaos beyond the soundproof door.

"Fine. But you are not drinking."

"Deal!" Riya chirped, her face lighting up with a dazzling smile. Her heart raced from the joy of being close to him, of having his attention. She slid onto the stool next to him, tucking his jacket tighter around herself.

Riya was inwardly glowing. This was exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for. The moment she saw Nathaniel enter the bar, she knew tonight could be the turning point. She would find her moment with him.

’I won’t miss this chance. Tonight, you won’t be able to resist me, Nathaniel.’

She sat beside him at the counter and ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail. With a soft smile and curious eyes, she turned to him.

"It’s been years since you came to a bar. Your doctor warned you, remember? What’s going on? Did something happen between you and Zara?"

Nathaniel didn’t answer. He took a slow sip of his scotch, eyes fixed ahead. He didn’t want to talk about it, but Riya wasn’t about to stop.

She leaned in a little closer. "I don’t know, but I really don’t like how she has been acting. Zane hasn’t seen her for days. He misses her, I can tell. That little boy has been so quiet lately. He looks sad."

She paused, watching his expression. His grip on the glass tightened slightly, and his jaw flexed.

Encouraged, Riya sighed dramatically. "It just makes me wonder if she is already moved on. Maybe she found someone else, someone she actually cares about. Because if she really loved Zane, she wouldn’t stay away like this."

Nathaniel still said nothing, but she could see the shift in his eyes—the flicker of doubt, of pain.

"I mean... how long can someone pretend to love another woman’s child?" she said, feigning worry. "Zane is her sister’s son, not hers. Maybe Zara wants her own child now. And once she does, I’m scared she won’t look at Zane the same way again."

She looked at him, trying to catch his gaze. The tension in his jaw told her that her words were hitting their mark. Even though he remained silent, the shift in his expression and the tension rippling through his shoulders revealed the growing frustration beneath the surface.

Satisfaction simmered beneath her calm expression.

His shoulders went rigid, the muscles beneath his shirt pulling tight. In one sharp motion, he threw back the rest of his drink and slammed the glass down with a loud thud.

"Refill it," Nathaniel said curtly.

The bartender obeyed, pouring another measure into the glass.

From beside him, Riya hid her triumph behind a mask of concern. This was exactly the reaction she had been hoping for—frustration, anger, and emotional instability.

"Nathaniel, don’t be upset." She feigned innocence, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It’s just how I feel. I could be wrong, of course."

His body flinched under her touch, and he shrugged her hand off roughly.

Startled, Riya let out a small gasp, and her phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor and sliding a short distance away.

Nathaniel stilled, his eyes following the phone on the floor.

"I’ll get it," Riya offered quickly, moving as if to stand.

"Wait," Nathaniel said, softening, guilt flickering in his eyes. He realized he had taken his frustration out on her. "I’ll do it."

He leaned down to retrieve the phone.

In that split second, Riya pulled a small vial from her purse and tilted it over his glass, letting two drops of a clear liquid fall silently into the amber scotch. She tucked the vial back into her bag as smoothly as she had taken it out, then raised her own cocktail to her lips and sipped casually, as if nothing had happened.

Nathaniel returned with the phone and handed it to her.

"Thanks, Nathaniel," she said softly, letting her fingers graze his as she took it. "Please don’t take what I said too seriously. I was just worried, and I let it slip. But to be fair, I’ve seen Zara with Zane for the last five years. She has always treated him like her own. She loves him deeply, and I don’t think that will ever change. Even if she has a child someday, her love for Zane won’t fade. Don’t you think?"