Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Riya's face twisted in frustration, and the arrogant smirk she wore moments ago vanished. "You are the one who has mistaken," she hissed. "And I'll prove it. Let's see who he truly cares for, me or you."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nathaniel emerging from the study. A sly, almost cruel smile curved her lips as she grabbed Zara's wrist. "Watch who he believes."

Before Zara could process what was happening, Riya flung Zara's hand toward her own face.

"Ah…" She let out a dramatic cry, staggering backward as she crumpled to the floor in mock pain.

Zara stood frozen, staring down at Riya, speechless and bewildered.

"What the hell is going on here?" Nathaniel's voice rang out. He hurried over, his gaze falling on Riya curled on the floor. He shot Zara an accusatory glare. "You hit her again?"

"No—" Zara started, but Riya cut her off with false sorrow.

"I don't know why she is always so hostile to me. She keeps hitting me..."

Nathaniel helped Riya to her feet, brushing her hair from her face. "Don't worry. I'll talk to Zara," he said softly, with worry lacing his tone. "I promise she won't raise her hand on you again."

Zara's heart dropped as she stared at Nathaniel in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how easily he trusted what Riya had said. How could he be so blind?

"I didn't touch her," Zara said sharply. "She did it to herself."

"Zara, I know you don't like me. At least, don't lie," Riya sobbed.

"What's going on here?" Gracie came out of her room when she heard the commotion. Her eyes swept over the group gathered in the hallway as she approached them. "Why are you all here? Go to your rooms. And you—" she paused, spotting Riya's tear-streaked face, "why are you crying?"

Worried, Gracie moved toward her. When she caught sight of the faint red imprint on Riya's cheek, her expression changed. "Who did this to you?"

Riya didn't miss a beat. She pointed straight at Zara. "It was her. She hit me."

Gracie turned on Zara sharply. "What?" she snapped, disbelief laced with fury. "How dare you hit her? Apologize—right now."

Zara stood there defiantly. "Why should I apologize when I haven't done anything wrong?"

Gracie's brows shot up, her tone rising. "Really? Then where did this mark come from?" She turned Riya's face to show the reddened cheek. "What are you trying to say? That she slapped herself?"

"Yes," Zara replied flatly. "That's exactly what happened. She hit herself."

Gracie scrunched up her face, ready to unleash more scolding, but before that, Nathaniel stepped closer to Zara.

"Don't create more drama," he murmured. "I know you don't like Riya, but at least don't lie. I saw you raise your hand and hit her."

Zara's head snapped toward him. Bitterness surged inside her like a rising tide. If he had seen her raise her hand, why hadn't he noticed Riya gripping it tightly, forcing it into her own face?

Her voice dropped to a dangerous calm. "You are saying I lied?" She pointed to the surveillance camera mounted in the corner of the ceiling. "Check the footage. Let's see who is lying."

She turned her gaze back to Riya and then to Gracie.

"Yes, let's check it right now," Gracie said with confidence. "And when the truth comes out, you'll kneel and apologize to Riya in front of everyone. I'll make sure of it."

Zara didn't flinch. She met Gracie's glare head-on. "We'll see who ends up apologizing to whom," she said, the challenge in her voice unmistakable.

Nathaniel's gaze shifted from the camera to Zara. Her calm, steady demeanor didn't match that of someone trying to cover up a lie. A flicker of doubt crept into his mind.

'Did I misunderstand her?' he wondered.

Riya's confidence began to crumble. She had been so caught up in playing the victim, she had completely forgotten about the surveillance camera that had likely recorded everything.

Panic bubbled in her chest. If that footage were reviewed, her entire act would unravel.

"Mom…" she called out desperately, hoping to stall the inevitable.

But it was too late.

"What is going on here?" Vincent asked as he stepped into the hallway, frowning. He had no idea what had happened, but he heard their voices from inside the study. He came out to check, only to witness the tension among them.

"Vincent, check the hallway surveillance footage—now," Gracie urged urgently.

"Wait, why? What happened?" he asked, looking from one face to another in confusion.

"There is no time to explain," Gracie said briskly, pulling Riya forward. "Just check the footage. It'll make everything clear."

Riya's heart pounded. She opened her mouth to object, to stop them somehow, but Vincent already headed back into the study. Gracie pulled her inside. Nathaniel and Zara followed behind.

Riya felt the weight of dread settle over her. Her fingers trembled. Her throat dried up.

Meanwhile, Zara looked unshakable and confident. She cast a glance at Riya. A cold smile curved her lips.

'At last, your web of lies is about to unravel in front of everyone,' Zara thought to herself. 'And this is just the beginning. I'll keep tearing down every facade you have built to hide who you really are.'

Nathaniel peered at the laptop screen as the surveillance footage began to play.

The video showed Riya stepping into Zara's path, clearly stopping her from walking away. Though there was no audio, the body language was unmistakable—Zara was trying to avoid confrontation, but Riya wouldn't let her.

Then came the moment that stunned everyone in the room.

Riya grabbed Zara's wrist and forcefully smacked it against her own cheek. The motion was swift, intentional, and calculated.

Anyone glancing at it quickly might assume Zara had hit her, but the truth was laid bare on screen. Riya had staged the whole thing to frame Zara.

Nathaniel's face tightened. Shock soon transformed into rage as he lifted his eyes to Riya. "You lied," he grumbled through clenched teeth. "You slapped yourself."

Gracie blinked, confused. "What are you saying?" she asked, stepping forward. She moved beside Vincent, who hadn't taken his eyes off the screen, and replayed the video again.

When Gracie saw the footage clearly, her hand shot up to cover her mouth. Shock mingled with disbelief.

Vincent, stunned, rewound the video, convinced he must have missed something. But as the scene played again, it became painfully clearer. It was Riya's deliberate attempt to slander Zara.

Gracie turned to face Riya, her expression hollow. "You…" The words didn't come out of her mouth. She couldn't believe the girl she had defended so fiercely had lied.

Shame washed over her. Just moments ago, she had demanded that Zara apologize. Now, she felt humiliated for having believed Riya's lie so easily.