Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 43: Riya spiked his drink

Chapter 43: Riya spiked his drink

Nathaniel didn’t answer her. He couldn’t. His jaw tensed and relaxed in a cycle that betrayed the war brewing inside him. Though he kept his face blank, Riya could see the shift in his expression, the tension tightening around him like a noose.

He lifted his glass and took another deep swig.

Riya’s eyes glinted with satisfaction. A thrill rushed through her, sending a chill of excitement down her spine. ’He took the sip,’ she thought. ’Soon, you’ll be mine. Once you wake up next to me, there’ll be no turning back. You’ll have no choice but to take responsibility.’

And Zara?

She would be nothing but a bitter memory. Tossed aside. Forgotten.

Riya’s lips curled slightly as she brought her cocktail to her mouth, savoring the sweet taste of victory.

It didn’t take long before the drug began to stir within Nathaniel’s body. He ran a hand over the back of his neck, his brow furrowed, and loosened his tie. A wave of heat surged through his chest, flowing downward in thick, consuming waves. It wasn’t the gentle buzz of alcohol. It was sharper, heavier, and dangerously familiar.

His pulse quickened.

Panic flickered in his eyes as he looked down at his drink. He could tell something wasn’t right.

Abruptly, he rose to his feet. The world tilted.

His legs wobbled beneath him, and he nearly stumbled, catching himself on the counter.

"Nathaniel!" Riya gasped dramatically as if shocked and jumped up, catching hold of his arms to steady him. "Are you alright?"

He shook his head, trying to ground himself, to clear the fog threatening to cloud his mind. He couldn’t lose control—not here, not when she was around.

"Let go," he gritted out.

Roughly, he pushed her hands away and staggered toward the exit. His body swayed, coordination slipping with every step. But he was determined to get out of there.

Riya caught up again, her voice dripping with fake concern. "You are clearly unwell. Just let me help you. I’ll take you home."

"There is no need," he grumbled, shoving her off with more force this time. "Stay away from me."

He forced his legs to move, struggling with the dizziness that clawed at his vision. The lights blurred, the noise around him faded into a low hum, and his skin burned as though it were set aflame from within.

But Nathaniel pressed on, staggering toward the exit because something deep in his gut told him that if he stayed a moment longer, he’d lose more than just consciousness.

Riya stood frozen for a moment, fists clenched tightly at her sides, her lips pressed into a thin, furious line. Her plan was unraveling before her eyes, but she wasn’t ready to let it slip away. Not now. Not after getting this close.

"I won’t let this chance go," she muttered through gritted teeth. Her eyes narrowed with determination as she stepped forward. "I won’t leave you alone in this state."

Without hesitation, she slipped her arm around Nathaniel’s, pressing her body deliberately against his side. The heat radiating off him made her skin tingle, and she leaned in even more, pretending to support him while taking full advantage of his disoriented state.

Nathaniel flinched.

Every part of his mind screamed in protest, but his body, weak and inflamed from the drug coursing through his veins, responded against his will. Her proximity stirred an unbearable urge to lean in, to surrender, to fall into the haze.

But somewhere deep inside, that last flicker of self-control refused to die.

"Riya," he growled, "stay away from me. I’m not well."

With one forceful shove, he broke free from her grip and stormed out of the bar, his back drenched with sweat and his mind clouded with fury and confusion.

Riya stumbled, caught off guard by the push. She lost her balance and crashed to the floor, gasping as her palms slapped against the cold ground. Her face flushed deep crimson from the sting of public humiliation. A few curious glances turned her way, but she ignored them all.

Her fingers curled into fists against the floor as she watched Nathaniel’s retreating figure disappear through the doors.

"Nathaniel..." she breathed. "You can’t escape tonight."

Determined, she pushed herself up on her feet and hurried after him.

Nathaniel’s feet dragged beneath him, each step a struggle against the fire raging inside his body. His vision swam, the world around him melting into indistinct shapes and colors. He rubbed at his burning eyes, but it brought no clarity—only more heat, more confusion. Still, he pushed forward, fueled by one singular thought: ’get away from here.’

Then, his strength gave out.

He stumbled hard, his knees buckling. Just as he was about to crash to the floor, a pair of strong arms caught him.

"Nathaniel? What the hell is going on with you?"

That voice.

Blinking rapidly, he looked up through the blur. A familiar face came into view.

"Eugen..." Nathaniel gasped. "Help me..."

From a shadowed corner near the bar’s exit, Riya froze. The moment she saw Eugen, she instinctively took a step back, retreating behind the doorframe. Her heart pounded.

’Damn it.’ Of all people, he had to show up. She didn’t want that man to suspect her of drugging Nathaniel.

Eugen’s eyes narrowed as he studied Nathaniel. The man was flushed, sweating, and trembling slightly. The signs were undeniable.

"You are drugged?" he muttered, alarmed.

Nathaniel clutched his shirt. "Get me out of here. Please."

Eugen caught the desperation in his tone and the raw discomfort in his eyes. He frowned, looking around the empty corridor. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Should I call Zara? Maybe she can come—"

"No." Nathaniel’s voice snapped like a whip. He shot a glare so fierce that Eugen dropped the idea immediately.

"Fine," Eugen muttered. "Hospital, it is."

He wrapped an arm firmly around Nathaniel’s shoulders and guided him out to the car. He helped him into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. Sliding behind the wheel, Eugen cast one last look at his friend before turning the key.

Behind them, Riya stood in the shadows, biting her lip in frustration. A storm brewed behind her gaze.

She had been so close to having Nathaniel, to finally making him hers. But in a matter of seconds, that perfect moment had been ripped away.

"Why?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "Why did this happen now?"

Fury twisted inside her. But then, a chilling thought crept into her mind, draining the blood from her face.

Nathaniel would investigate this. If he found out the truth that she had drugged him, he would never forgive her. He’d despise her. She would lose everything.

"No. No, I can’t let him know. I have to fix this. I have to."

She spun on her heel and stormed back into the bar. Her mind raced with only one thought: ’Erase the evidence. Cover the tracks. Don’t let him find out.’