Divorced & Desired; Too Late To Chase Her Back

"Oh, my baby!" Zara gasped, gently replacing the cotton on Ezra's bleeding nose. Her hands moved quickly, but her voice wavered as she looked at him. "How did this happen?" she asked, her eyes snapping to Mrs. Nila Samson, the school's headmistress.

Ella and Ezra stood quietly beside her. They looked innocent enough—except for their messy hair and the smudges on their faces that gave them away.

Mrs. Samson stepped around her desk, her voice calm but firm. "Ms. Quinn, I understand you're upset, but you should see the other child. He's more—"

"Is that the irresponsible mother whose children ganged up on my son?" a shrill voice cut in.

Zara turned to see a furious woman storming toward them, dragging her son behind her. His face was bruised, and he had cotton stuffed in his nose just like Ezra.

Zara pressed her lips together, trying to keep her cool, but Ella stepped up, her small voice sharp. "My Mama isn't irresponsible! Your son's a bully!"

Ella was always the mouthy one, and without being told, Zara could already guess she got into trouble, and Ezra was most definitely trying to defend her. 

The woman's eyes went wide with disbelief, and she scoffed. "You little brat! How dare you—"

"Don't you dare speak to my child like that again," Zara interrupted, her voice cutting like ice. She stepped in front of Ella and Ezra, shielding them with her body.

The headmistress quickly intervened, raising her hands in a calming gesture. "Please, let's not escalate this. Not in front of the children."

The two women glared at each other but reluctantly sat down, their tempers barely restrained.

Mrs. Samson cleared her throat and turned to the children. "Now, can someone tell me what happened?"

"He poured juice on my lunch and tried to push my face into it," Ella said matter-of-factly as if she weren't talking about something so serious.

The boy sniffled dramatically, clinging to his mother. "I was just playing with her! Then he came and pushed flavours into the food!"

His mother ran a comforting, hand over his had and glared at Zara. "You see? He was just playing! Why did your son have to get so aggressive?"

The boy held up his arm, pointing to a bite mark. "And she bit me!"

Zara's sharp gaze shifted to Ella and Ezra. They looked at each other, guilt flickering across their faces before they spoke up.

"Mama, I bit him because he grabbed Ezra's hair. It's wouldault. Don't blame Ezra," Ella blurted.

"N,, it's my fault," Ezra said firmly. "I hit him because he pushed Ella."

Zara's cold expression softened just a little as she brushed a stray strand of hair from Ella's face. "You two really have each other's backs, don't you?" she murmured softly. But when she looked back at the boy, her eyes hardened again.

"Hurry up and apologize," she said coldly, her words aimed directly at him. "Then maybe I'll let this slide."

The boy shrank behind his mother, who gasped indignantly. "What? Your kids ganged up on my boy, and you dare demand an apology? You must be out of your mind. I'm calling the police!"

She whipped out her phone, but Zara didn't flinch. She crossed her legs and leaned back, watching the woman ,with an expression of cool detachment, as though daring her to follow through.

Mrs. Samson quickly stepped in. "Ma'am, if this escalates, your son will be expelled. The school has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying."

The woman froze, her hand hovering over her phone. "What?" she sputtered. "If you don't tolerate bullies, then why side with them?"

Mrs. Samson remained firm. "To be clear, your son initiated the incident."

Zara's tone was sharp as she added, "And they finished it. Mess with one, you mess with both. That's how they are." She smirked faintly. "And I wouldn't change that for anything."

The other mother seemed to have lost her fire and fell silent.

Mrs. Samson, wisely trying to diffuse the situation, suggested both children apologize. Though it was done begrudgingly, the apologies were exchanged, and the matter was resolved.

Though school wasn't over, she suggested the parents take their kids home, offering to pay the medical bills.

The car door slammed shut as Zara slid into the driver's seat. She glanced at her watch, her jaw tightening. "Why today? I have so much work to do…" she muttered, gripping the steering wheel.

"I don't want to go back to that school! I hate it!" Ella's voice rang out from the backseat, high-pitched and tearful.

"Ella, sit down properly," Zara snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. Ella's eyes filled with tears, and she started crying.

Ezra, as if on cue, joined in, the two of them crying in tandem.

Zara let out a long sigh, glancing back at them. "Guys, I'm sorry. I thought you liked it here."

"Not anymore! I want Papa!" they shouted through their tears.

Zara's chest tightened, and she blinked rapidly to hold back her own tears. "Aren't you happy you get to see Grandma and Grandpa Quinn?" she said softly. "You lived with Papa's parents fr years. Isn't it nice to be here with my parents for a change?"

Their sniffles quieted a bit, though their eyes were still wet.

"But what about Papa?" Ella asked, her voice small and unsure.

Ezra spoke up, his voice trembling. "Families are supposed to stick together, right?"

Zara's grip on the wheel tightened, her knuckles whitening. Family. That word tasted bitter on her tongue. Ethan hadn't thought twice before leaving them, so he could start a new life— with a career woman. 

"Papa's busy," she said gently, forcing her voice to stay calm. "He's building his company here, so you'll see him soon."

The lie rolled off her tongue so easily that she almost believed it herself.

Convincing them wasn't a piece of cake, but eventually, she got them to come to terms with her. 

"Who wants ice cream?" she asked, her voice a little too bright.

"Me!" the kids shouted together, their laughter filling the car.

As she parked her car in the parking lot of Crème & Crunch, she pulled her phone from her purse and dialled her mom's number. 

"Mom, please send Nana and a driver to pick up the kids from Crème & Crunch. I need to go back to work." She spoke on the phone as she ordered different flavors of ice cream and 

Nana was Zara's old nanny whom the kids have grown accustomed to over the past month. 

Ezra and Ella chatted happily as they enjoyed their snacks while Zara multitasked, eating while scribbling some designs on her tablet. 

Since it was just a proposal for the project and not an actual blueprint, the designs were basic and the most challenging part of evaluating the best financial budget that will appease the client. 

"Mom, I need to pee." Ezra said, jumping up from his seat. They were already done with their ice cream by then but still had their pizza and fries half eaten. 

Zara asked a staff member to help Ezra and another to pack up the remaining food since their Nana was already there. 

"Sweetheart, I need to go back to work. Nana will take you both home." She explained to Ella who just nodded while drinking her glass of water. 

Ella went around the table and gave Zara a peck on the cheek, her cold hand sending a chill down Zara's face. "Mama, you look so cool working. When I grow up, I am going to be like you." She complimented.

Zara held her little face in admiration, returning the peck with several kisses to her face, "Thank you sweetheart. You're the best daughter in the whole world."

They both giggled excitedly before Nana picked her up on Zara's order. 

"Please take her to the car, I will go and get Ezra." She said, standing to her feet and walking towards the restroom.

On her way, she felt the urge to use the restroom so instead of going directly to the male section, she stopped at the female section and did her business. 

Zara glanced toward the men's section on her way out. She didn't see any staff, so she assumed they'd already left.

Just as she turned to leave, Ace stepped out of one of the rooms. Their eyes met, and for a moment, they both froze, caught off guard.

Ace recovered quickly, though, as if nothing surprised him for long. He broke eye contact and started walking toward her.

Zara smirked. "What's this? Are you stalking me now?"

He hesitated, just for a second, before brushing it off. His voice was calm, with just a hint of sarcasm. "Yeah. Because I have nothing better to do. Like running one empire while trying to prop up another that's falling apart."

Zara's jaw tightened. The jab was subtle, but it landed. She scoffed, stomping her foot in frustration before storming off. She made sure to walk ahead of him toward the lobby, her anger simmering.

But when she reached the lobby, she stopped dead in her tracks.

There they were. Ethan and Irene.

They stood at the receptionist's desk, too close for comfort. Ethan's arm was wrapped around Irene's waist, and she leaned against him, her head resting lightly on his chest. They looked completely at ease, like a perfect little couple.

Zara's stomach twisted. Her hands started to shake as she tried to turn away without being noticed.

Too late. Irene's gaze found hers.

Zara froze. Her chest tightened, her heart racing. She pressed a hand against it, like that might steady her. Her eyes shut as she mumbled to herself, "Not here. Not now. I can't do this."

Nearby, Ace had stopped walking. His attention shifted from his phone to Zara. She was standing there, rigid, her fingers trembling as they fumbled with her phone. Something was clearly wrong.

Zara's thoughts raced. They can't see him. Not here, she thoughsavourntically.

She spun around, but Ethan and Irene were already too close.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, and he let out a scoff. "Wow. I thought it couldn't possibly be you."

Zara blinked, her throat tight.

"What the hell are you doing here? Stalking me now?" he asked, his voice sharp and accusatory.

Zara didn't respond. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she looked down, her breath catching when she saw the message. It was from Nana: I have the kids. They're safe.

Relief washed over her. She exhaled softly. "Thank God," she muttered under her breath.

But her silence only seemed to push Ethan further. His voice rose. "I'm talking to you! Why are you here? And where are my kids? You haven't even let them call me in a month!"

That snapped her out of it. Zara looked up, her expression hardening. "We're divorced, Ethan. I don't owe you an explanation."

"And as for the kids? I have full custody. It's my decision when they call you—or don't."

She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Irene grabbed her wrist.

"Zara," Irene said, smiling sweetly, "we're still friends. You could at least say hi."

Zara's stomach churned. She stared at Irene, her voice cold. "Friends? What kind of 'friend' steals someone's husband?"

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Zara thought she saw something flicker in Irene's eyes—victory.

"Oh, Zara," Irene said, smiling wider. "Still bitter, huh? I get it." She leaned closer, her voice dropping. "But I can't help it. He's just… amazing. Especially in bed."

Zara's chest tightened, but she refused to let Irene see her crack. Not this time.

She squared her shoulders and met Irene's gaze head-on. Her voice was steady, her words sharp and deliberate. "Friends don't steal each other's husbands. But then again, you were never very good at loyalty, were you?"

Irene's grin faltered for a moment before she forced it back. Ethan shifted uncomfortably beside her, his lips twitching as if to speak, but before he could, Zara turned her attention to Ace.

He stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable as he watched the interaction unfold. But the way his jaw and grip subconsciously tightened as he pierced Ethan with his eyes showed a glimpse of his anger. 

Without missing a beat, Zara strode toward him, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She slipped her arm through his and plastered on a bright, almost-too-wide smile.

"For once in your life, cooperate," she hissed through clenched teeth, her nails digging lightly into his arm.

Ace blinked, his brow arching slightly, but he didn't pull away. Instead, his lips curved into the faintest smirk as he let her lead him toward Ethan and Irene.

"Did I tell you I snagged this hot billionaire for my boyfriend?" Zara announced, her voice light and teasing as she glanced up at Ace. "He's quite the upgrade, don't you think?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed, scanning Ace from head to toe with barely concealed hostility. Irene, on the other hand, couldn't hide the spark of interest in her gaze as she openly admired him.

Zara didn't miss it. Her smirk deepened as she placed her hand on Ace's chest, her fingers lightly tracing the fabric of his shirt.

Ace stiffened slightly, his jaw tightening as he glanced down at her hand. "What are you doing?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Winning," Zara whispered back, her smile never faltering.

Then she took a step closer to Irene, whispering, "Don't let his gentlemanly look deceive you, he's a monster. In bed." She giggled seeing her flushed face. Then she moved back to take her position beside Ace. 

"You can't steal him," She said sharply to Irene, snapping her fingers as if to pull her from her obvious daze. "He's not cheap like your Ethan."

Irene's cheeks flushed, and she quickly straightened, glancing nervously at Ethan, who was now glaring at her.

"What an accusation!" Irene snapped, her voice rising. "You must be delusional to think I'd—"

"Save it," Zara interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "You're not his type anyway."

The moment was undeniably satisfying. Watching Irene panic and Ethan stew in his own jealousy felt like a small victory.

But just as Zara began to savor the moment, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

"Ace?"

Zara froze.

It was a voice she hadn't heard in years, but one she'd never forget.

Her stomach dropped as Gina Bennet marched toward them, her heels clicking with perfectly. Her piercing gaze flickered between Zara and Ace, her perfectly sculpted brows furrowing in confusion.

"What are you doing clinging to my fiance like that?" Gina demanded, her voice dripping with disdain as she stopped just short of them.