Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Zara was surprised. "Oh! Is he coming?"

"Mm-hmm…" Bree nodded eagerly, almost bouncing in her seat. "I already sent him the location while we were on the way. He'll be here any minute."

An excited smile quirked Zara's lips. This was the first time she was going to meet Bree's boyfriend. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she whined, pouting playfully. Then her eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, "I would have at least put on some makeup before coming here."

Both of them burst into giggles.

"Don't worry," Bree said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You look beautiful just like this."

Zara blushed at the compliment, fanning her face with her hand. "You are flattering me."

Before Bree could tease her again, a smooth, velvety voice drifted from above their table. "Hello, ladies."

They both looked up. A tall man stood before them, dressed in a sleek suit that fit him perfectly. His confident presence drew attention, but it was the way Bree's face lit up that confirmed who he was.

"You are finally here," Bree said, standing quickly to greet him. She slipped her hand into his with a grin that made her eyes crinkle.

The man leaned down, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "I missed you," he whispered, his hot breathing making her shudder.

Bree's cheeks turned crimson. She swatted him lightly, glancing toward Zara. "Don't… my friend is still here."

With a chuckle, he straightened up and shifted his gaze to Zara. "You must be Bree's best friend, Zara. Hi, I'm Ryan." He extended his hand toward her.

Zara rose to shake it. "I've heard plenty about you from Bree. But it's our first meeting."

"True…" Ryan chuckled, sliding into the seat beside Bree. "My work keeps me on the move most of the time," he explained, casting a quick look at Bree. "That's why we never really got the chance to meet before. Working as a director's assistant isn't easy—I'm constantly traveling alongside my boss."

As he spoke, his hand rested lightly on Bree's, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. Bree smiled shyly as she met his gaze.

Zara nodded in understanding. Bree had once mentioned that Ryan worked as an assistant to a famous movie director, which left him with little time for her.

"But I'll be starting my own business soon," Ryan added with a smile. "I'm working on the proposal right now. Once everything is set, I'll finally be able to spend more time with Bree."

He slipped his arm around her shoulders, gazing at her with such tenderness that Bree nearly melted into his embrace.

Across the table, Zara watched silently, her eyes flicking between the two of them. The way they looked at each other, so absorbed and connected, made it seem as if the rest of the restaurant didn't even exist.

She felt genuinely happy for Bree, yet a pang of envy stirred inside her chest. She longed for the same warmth and closeness with the man she loved. But Nathaniel's inconsistent behavior only left her unsettled and uncertain.

His reluctance to answer Eugen's question had already told her one thing—he hadn't truly moved on from Nora. Perhaps he never would, even if he tried to build a peaceful life with her.

But Zara didn't want to settle for just being his wife or the mother of his children. She wanted to be his love, a place in his heart. Avoiding the sight of Bree and Ryan's affection, she turned her head aside, lifted the glass of water, and took an uneasy sip.

Meanwhile, the waiter approached their table, balancing a tray. He placed down the dishes one by one.

"This is the signature dish of our restaurant," he said with a courteous smile. He then set down a bottle of red wine and poured the glasses smoothly. "The red wine is complimentary from the chef."

Finally, he turned toward Zara and placed a steaming plate of lobster before her. The aroma of garlic butter wafted up instantly. "And this one is specially prepared by our chef for you, madam," the waiter added with a small flourish.

Zara's lips parted in surprise as she looked at the glossy lobster. "He remembered," she whispered, astonished that Jasper still recalled her favorite.

The waiter then held out a folded note with both hands. "A special note for you."

Zara took it eagerly and unfolded it.

'Special dish for a special friend. Sorry, I couldn't come out to serve you. There is a rush here; a party is going on in the banquet hall. But I am happy you came here. You look beautiful in that cream dress, sweetheart. Enjoy the dinner.'

Warmth flushed through her chest. She folded the note reverently, then glanced at the waiter with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

He gave a polite nod before retreating.

Zara's smile lingered on her lips, but when her eyes met Bree and Ryan's curious gazes, the smile faltered.

"What?" She quickly tucked the folded note into her bag. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Special dish, special note…" Bree's eyes narrowed with playful suspicion. "I'm starting to wonder if Jasper is bisexual."

Zara's cheeks flushed deeper than the wine, and she shot her friend a mock glare. "Shut up… You know how he is."

"I do know," Bree said, pretending to sulk. "But he didn't send me a special note. Not even a little 'thanks' for bringing you here." She pouted with an exaggerated sigh. "And as for a special dish—forget it."

"Because you are his roommate, and he cooks for you almost every day," Zara countered. "So every dish he prepares for you is special."

"Whatever," Bree huffed, flicking her hand in dismissal. "Let him come home. I'll make him cook for the entire week."

Ryan chuckled, sliding an arm around Bree's waist, pulling her close. "Don't be jealous, babe. If you act like this, I'll start feeling insecure."

Bree shot him a sharp glare, but Ryan only laughed awkwardly, raising his fork. "Alright, alright… let's eat before the food gets cold."

Their conversation flowed smoothly as they started eating.

Zara found herself loosening with each sip of wine, the earlier heaviness in her chest dissolving into a pleasant haze. She laughed easily, cheeks flushed pink, her movements lighter.

"This is the best dinner I've ever had," she said, her voice a little loud. She tipped the bottle and poured the last of the wine into her glass. "This is for you, Bree." She lifted the glass. "I bless you both… May your bond grow stronger with time."

Bree leaned her head against Ryan's shoulder with a quiet smile. "Thanks."

Zara's gaze lingered on them fondly before she suddenly pushed her chair back. "Um…" She wobbled to her feet, catching herself with a hand on the table. "I need to use the washroom."

Her steps wavered, but she managed to steady herself, lifting her chin with tipsy resolve as she moved forward, cautious not to trip and embarrass herself. The sharp tap of her heels echoed along the hallway.

She failed to notice the dark figure trailing behind her.