Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 46: A secret

Chapter 46: A secret

Zane’s entire face lit up with enthusiasm. "Yes," he cried, bouncing slightly in his seat. "My friend said his mommy has a baby in her tummy. Does Mommy have one too?"

Nathaniel’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Not yet. But if you really want it, maybe I’ll talk to Mommy."

Hope flickered inside him. If he approached Zara the right way, if she saw how serious he was about building a real family, maybe she would reconsider. Maybe she would forgive him and stay.

"But it’ll be our secret," he added, cautioning Zane. "You won’t tell anyone, alright?"

Zane nodded solemnly, mimicking his serious tone. "Secret. I promise."

Nathaniel wiped his hands with a napkin and stood up, checking his watch. "Alright, time to go. The driver will take you back to the mansion. I have to leave for a business trip and will be back on Sunday. You stay with Grandma for now, okay? Once I’m back... I’ll bring you home. The three of us – you, me, and your mommy – will stay together. Like before."

Zane beamed. "Okay, Daddy."

Nathaniel reached out his hand, and Zane immediately slid his small fingers into his palm. They stepped out together.

Later that afternoon...

Zara’s phone lit up with Zane’s name flashing on the screen. A soft smile touched her lips as she quickly picked it up.

"Hey, Zane... how are you doing, sweetheart?"

"I’m fine, Mommy," Zane chirped on the other end. "I miss you. Can you come see me? Daddy bought me so many toys and a new drawing set. I want to show you everything."

Zara’s smile widened briefly, a wave of relief washing over her. At least Nathaniel had taken the time to be with Zane before leaving on his trip. But the ache she had been pushing down all day returned. He hadn’t told her anything, not a word, not even a message.

"That’s wonderful," she replied, forcing her voice to stay light, keeping her emotions buried beneath the surface. "Sounds like you had a great time with Daddy."

"Yes," Zane gushed. "He came to my school, took me shopping, and then we ate lunch together."

"That’s a big day," she said. "I’ll come to see you after work, okay? Happy now?"

"Very happy. I can’t wait to see you." His voice bubbled with joy.

"Alright, sweetheart. Now let Mommy finish her work so I can come to you soon, okay?"

"Okay."

The call ended. As the screen dimmed, Zara’s smile slowly faded. She stared at the phone for a long moment before setting it aside, her chest tight with conflicting feelings.

"I’m glad he is spending time with Zane," she murmured under her breath. "It’s what Zane needs. Nathaniel should be more present in his life."

Brushing aside the emotional sting she couldn’t quite name, Zara straightened up and turned back to her work, burying herself in it once again.

At the end of the day, Zara arrived at the mansion. Helga greeted her with a respectful nod and a kind smile.

"Young Madam," she said gently, stepping forward to take Zara’s handbag and offer her arm in support.

Zara handed over the bag, her eyes already scanning for the one she had come to see. "Where is Zane?"

"He was playing in the backyard earlier," Helga replied. "Just now, he went up to his room. Let me take you there."

With Helga’s steady hand on her arm, Zara walked through the familiar corridors. The moment they entered Zane’s room, the little boy’s eyes lit up.

"Mommy! You are here," Zane exclaimed, his small frame bouncing up from the bed. But as his eyes dropped to the crutch under her arm, his smile faltered, replaced by concern.

"Mommy?" he asked, stepping closer with cautious eyes. "Your leg... does it still hurt?"

Zara reached out, brushing a soft hand against his cheek. "Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s just for a while. I’ll be perfectly fine soon."

Reassured by her calm voice and gentle smile, Zane’s face lit up again. "Come, I’ll show you everything Daddy bought me."

He dashed to the cupboard, his little hands eagerly pulling out box after box. Zara made her way to bed and eased herself down, placing the crutch aside.

"These are the toys Daddy got for me," Zane beamed, laying out his treasures in front of her.

Zara’s eyes twinkled as she picked up a dinosaur figure. "Wow, this one is amazing. I really like it."

Zane grinned proudly. "Pull the tail, and it can roar."

With a little pull, the dinosaur let out a mechanical roar. Zane burst into laughter.

Zara laughed along with him, her heart growing lighter. In that moment, surrounded by toys and her son’s joy, she felt peace.

Zane continued to show off each toy excitedly, his voice full of energy and delight as he named them one by one. But as Zara watched him, her smile wavered. Her vision blurred with the sting of tears. His innocent laughter, the joy in his eyes—it reminded her so much of Nora.

A pang hit her chest, remembering the promise she had once whispered to her sister, that she would protect Zane with everything she had.

For a moment, she questioned whether ending the marriage was truly the right choice.

’Should I reconsider?’ she thought. ’Is it worth giving Nathaniel another chance? Should I try to make this marriage work?’

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heels clicking against the floor. She looked up, and her expression instantly hardened.

Riya.

Draped in confidence and arrogance, Riya walked in with a haughty sneer.

Zara’s thoughts flashed back to the night of her death in her previous life. And now, the very person who had killed her stood right before her. Just seeing her now made her fingers curl with restrained rage.

The memory clung to her like a noose, choking her with rage and fear. A dark part of her wished she could wrap her hands around that woman’s neck and end it herself.

"Zara, you have finally remembered Zane," Riya said with a bitter edge. "What kind of mother are you? He is always asking about you. But you? You have buried yourself in work, as if he doesn’t even exist. Are you really planning to leave your husband and abandon Zane?"

Zara stiffened, the insult slicing through her patience. She parted her lips to fire back, but before she could say a word, a small hand gripped hers tightly.

"Mommy... are you leaving me?" Zane asked. The happiness that had been dancing in his eyes just a moment ago had vanished, replaced by uncertainty and sadness.

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