Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

"I've already told you why." Nathaniel's voice turned sharp with rising frustration. "Liam is not the right man for Riya. He treats women like passing trends—switching girlfriends every few months like it's nothing. You really want Riya to end up in that kind of unstable relationship? He'll never stay loyal to her."

Vincent didn't respond right away. He sat quietly, hands folded on the desk, his thoughts racing. After a moment, he said calmly, "Maybe he hasn't met the right woman yet. People change when they find someone who truly matters. Maybe Riya will be that person for him."

He leaned back in his chair, a distant look entering his eyes as old memories surfaced. "I know someone who used to believe staying loyal to just one woman was impossible. But everything changed when he met the right person. He ended up marrying her and staying faithfully by her side ever since."

He was talking about himself. Before meeting Gracie, he had been involved with many women, but none had ever seemed trustworthy. Most were only interested in his wealth, and it hadn't taken him long to see through their intentions. Those experiences led him to believe that no woman could ever truly be trusted.

However, that belief shifted when he met Gracie through an arrangement made by their elders. She was nothing like the others. Beautiful, confident, and full of pride. She didn't care about impressing him or winning him over. She didn't bother whether he stayed loyal to her or walked away—and that indifference intrigued him.

For the first time, he saw something real in her. That made him want her for life, and he seriously considered marriage.

That relationship transformed him, turning him into a faithful and devoted husband. He now believed Liam might also change, given that he met the right woman.

Nathaniel had no idea his father was recounting his own past. He wasn't convinced and stayed firm in his stance. "Just because your friend turned out to be loyal doesn't mean Liam will be the same. Everyone is different," he said flatly. "Anyway, if Riya and Liam grow to like each other and want to be together, I won't object. But I won't let my guard down either. If he hurts her, I'll make him pay."

Vincent raised a hand, trying to calm him down. "Relax, Nathaniel. He is your friend. Besides, the two families have been doing business for decades. One reckless move could ruin everything. I don't think he'll harm your sister. Now, tell me something about yourself. How are things going between you and Zara?"

The sudden shift caught Nathaniel off guard. His gaze narrowed, suspicious. "Why are you asking that? Do you also think Zara was responsible for the miscarriage?"

Vincent shook his head. "You are misunderstanding. It's just rare to see you defending her. I didn't expect you to stand by her the way you did. You didn't even hesitate to counter your mother. I'm only curious. As for your mother…"

He trailed off for a moment, his mind flashing back to that night.

"She called me," he added with a heady sigh. "That night, when she learned about Zara's miscarriage. She was crying. I've rarely seen her so broken, so sad."

Nathaniel stared at him, speechless. He didn't know about it.

"Your mother is a proud woman. She doesn't show what she truly feels. She wears her toughness like armor, and yes, her words can be cruel at times. But I know her heart. She is not hostile toward Zara. She is just deeply hurt and disappointed."

"What happened was devastating for all of us," Nathaniel said after a bit of silence. "I understand Mom is heartbroken, but that doesn't give her the right to blame Zara for everything. She should realize Zara suffered the most. It was her first pregnancy—our first child."

Vincent didn't respond. He simply observed his son, noting the pain in his eyes. In that moment, any lingering doubt he had faded completely. It was clear—Nathaniel had truly fallen for Zara.

Nathaniel stood up. "It's getting late. You should get some sleep."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and exited the study.

While they were still deep into conversation, Zara stepped out of Zane's room after putting him to sleep, her limbs heavy with fatigue. She walked down the hallway, eager to collapse into bed. But just as she turned the corner, she halted when she saw Riya, the last person she wanted to deal with at that hour.

The smug smile on her face instantly made Zara's stomach churn.

"Did you see how protective Nathaniel is?" Riya purred, casually twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "He was furious at the thought of me being with someone else. He cares for me deeply. He couldn't hide his feelings for me. Sooner or later, he'll realize I'm the one he truly belongs with. And you…"

She chuckled mockingly. "You'll be nothing but a forgotten chapter. He'll throw you out of this family."

Zara's expression remained blank. She was too exhausted to engage in an argument with her. Without a word, she tried to step past her.

But Riya wouldn't let her go. She grabbed Zara's arm and blocked her way.

"Don't fool yourself into thinking you matter just because he defended you tonight," Riya muttered. "You heard what he said. He didn't think twice about going against his own parents. That just proves how strong his feelings for me are—far deeper than anything you could ever imagine."

Zara regarded her with cool indifference, clearly unmoved by Riya's provocation.

Riya leaned in with a self-satisfied smirk. "Take my advice—walk away before he humiliates you. Leave with a shred of dignity intact."

Zara let out a smirk.

"What are you smiling at?" Riya snapped, her smugness vanishing.

"You," Zara replied coolly. "You are honestly entertaining. Sometimes I wonder how someone can be so delusional."

"You—" Riya began, ready to lash out, but Zara cut her off without giving her a chance.

"Yes, Nathaniel disagreed with his parents regarding your marriage. But that was driven purely by his protective instincts as a brother, not because he has any romantic feelings for you. You are the only one who has twisted his concern into something it was never meant to be, and that's just pathetic."