Reclaimed By My Ex-husband
Chapter 47: Who is shameless?

Chapter 47: Who is shameless?

Zara’s heart shattered at his question. No matter how many times she told herself to stay strong, she couldn’t bear to see fear in his eyes.

She pulled her into her arms. "I’m not going anywhere," she whispered. "I could never leave you. Never."

Riya scoffed and rolled her eyes. She folded her arms and said, "Zara, I want to talk to you. Can we step outside for a moment?"

Zara looked at her coldly, the fire returning to her eyes. "Fine. Wait for me in the hall."

Riya turned and walked away.

When Zara glanced back at Zane, she saw him sitting silently, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. She froze. That unconscious motion struck her heart.

It was a familiar gesture—one that both she and Nora used to do whenever they were anxious. Zane had inherited that habit.

It was so familiar.

A wave of tenderness washed over her.

"Zane," she took his tiny hands into hers, "are you upset?"

Zane glanced up at her with wide, curious eyes. "My real mommy left when I was still a baby. I don’t even know how she looked."

Zara smiled, though a shadow passed through her gaze. "She was a kind woman," she murmured. "She loved you with all her heart. So much. She was sweet and quiet, just like you. And she loved to draw—spent hours sketching in her drawing book. One day, I’ll show you some of her drawings."

"Really? She liked to draw?" Zane’s eyes lit up, his sadness lifting for a moment.

Zara nodded slowly. "She was a wonderful artist."

Her voice trailed off as memories washed over her.

Nora had once dreamed of being an artist, but life had other plans. She gave up that dream to carry the weight of their family’s responsibilities, running the business, and taking care of everything. Yet, she always pushed Zara to follow her passion.

Zara blinked back the sting in her eyes as the grief of her loss resurfaced. Their mother had gone early, and Nora was all she had left—her anchor, her shelter, her biggest supporter. When Nora died, it was as though the earth beneath her had crumbled.

But when she held baby Zane, she found a reason to keep going. That tiny life became her purpose. She stepped into Nora’s shoes, poured her love into him, and a marriage she thought would offer her stability and peace.

Yet it hadn’t. The heartbreak of that night—Nathaniel’s icy rejection, his venomous words—had shattered her. It felt like everything she had built had been torn apart.

She had given all she could. And now, she was done sacrificing herself.

But for Zane’s sake, she would move gently. She wouldn’t let him suffer through the weight of adult decisions. When the time was right, she would explain everything about her and Nathaniel.

"Mommy, what are you thinking?" Zane’s small fingers tugged at her sleeve, drawing her out of the fog of memory.

Zara blinked, then turned to him with a gentle smile. "Oh, nothing serious," she said softly, brushing a hand over his hair. "I was just thinking how sweet and talented you are... just like your mommy. If you want to be an artist, I’ll always support you."

"Thank you, Mommy," Zane beamed.

"Now go on, play with your toys," she encouraged, reaching for her crutch. "I need to talk to your aunt."

She tucked the crutch beneath her arm and stepped out of the room, her expression hardening as she moved through the hallway. When she entered the living room, her eyes fell on Riya, who sat stiffly on the sofa, arms crossed and an impatient scowl on her face.

The moment Riya saw her, she sprang to her feet. "You still have the nerve to come here?" she spat. "How shameless can you be? Nathaniel has clearly moved on. He didn’t even bother to see you before his trip. That’s his way of telling you he doesn’t care anymore. Why are you still humiliating yourself by chasing after him? Just leave."

Zara’s temper flared, but she remained composed. She stepped forward with calm deliberation. "You are calling me shameless?" A faint smirk played at her lips. "I am Nathaniel’s lawful wife. It’s perfectly natural for me to be here."

She took another slow step forward, her gaze boring into Riya’s with a mock curiosity. "But you...You are the one lusting after a man who has always called you sister."

Disgust flashed in her eyes. "Tell me, who is the truly shameless one here?"

Riya’s face drained of color, but her lips tightened.

"You..." She jabbed her finger toward Zara, her lips trembling with fury. But before the accusation left her mouth, she pulled her hand back, curling it into a fist at her side.

"You call yourself his wife?" she spat. "You have never truly been one. He never loved you—everyone can see that. The only reason he kept you was because of a promise to his first wife, because of Zane. You were just an obligation."

Then, with a mocking smirk, she leaned in slightly.

"And now?" Riya’s voice dropped, taunting. "Now he is tired. Tired of pretending. Tired of keeping that promise. He wants someone he actually loves, someone he chooses, not someone who clings to him like dead weight."

Zara didn’t flinch. "Whether it was love or obligation, I am still his lawful wife. I have every right to stand by him. But what are you?"

Her lip curled in contempt. "You, raised in this family, were his sister in every sense. And yet, you are so depraved, so utterly shameless, you dare to dream of becoming his woman."

She tilted her head slightly, eyeing her with complete disdain. "If this family finds out what you are hiding in that filthy heart of yours, you’ll be thrown out without a second thought."

Instead of recoiling, Riya let out a laugh as if Zara had just told a joke.

"You are so naïve," she scoffed. "The Grant family owes everything to my father and grandfather. Their sacrifices, their loyalty—this family can never forget. They are indebted to them. No one will touch me, no matter what I do."

Her eyes gleamed with confidence. "If I tell my mother about my wish, she will convince Nathaniel to marry me. And you know what? He won’t refuse...because he has started developing feelings for me."

Zara’s breath hitched, her grip tightening on the crutch involuntarily.

Riya saw it, and a satisfying smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Do you know where he was last night?"

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