Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

"Stop, stop!" Zara cried, shielding her face as icy droplets pelted her skin. "It's freezing."

Nathaniel ignored her pleas, his grip steady as he held the spray over her. With his other hand, he twisted the faucet, letting the tub fill. The water quickly swirled around her ankles, climbing higher.

Zara gasped and tried to climb out.

"You are not going anywhere until you've sobered up," he growled, pressing her shoulder firmly back down, forcing her to sit.

"It's too cold," she whimpered, her lips quivering, the feverish heat inside her draining away under the relentless chill.

"Are you sober now?" he asked.

Her head bobbed frantically. "Yes—yes, I am. Please, stop this… this torture." She hugged herself, trembling violently.

A pang of guilt stabbed through him. He wasn't punishing her—he was punishing himself, forcing his own heart to bleed for her sake.

"Are you certain?" His tone was sharp, but his eyes betrayed the storm within him. "Just moments ago, you were burning with desire. Is that fire gone now?"

Zara nodded, the shivers racking her body. "It's gone," she pleaded through chattering teeth. "Please, take me out."

The sight of her shaking, her body curled in on itself, twisted something deep inside him. Every instinct screamed to pull her close, to warm her with his own body. But doubt held him back.

What if the effect of the drug still lingered? If she reached for him again, he wasn't sure he'd have the strength to resist.

Burying the urge, he hardened his expression. "Stay here a little longer. I'll call the doctor."

He left the bathroom in a hurry.

Zara stayed curled where she was, hugging her knees tightly, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. "You are heartless," she muttered, tears stinging her eyes.

When he had rushed in to save her, she had felt such relief, believing she no longer had to wrestle with the fire consuming her, that he would ease it, soothe it. But instead of holding her, giving her the comfort she craved, he had plunged her into ice-cold water.

"Cruel," she breathed, lips quivering in a pout. "He won't touch me… he won't love me. Does my closeness disgust him?"

The thought cut deeper than the chill, and tears slid silently down her cheeks. She let herself sink lower, the water rising until it kissed her neck. Slowly, the last of the unnatural heat drained from her body, leaving her clear-headed, yet achingly hollow.

~~~~~~~~

Zara eventually drifted into sleep. Nathaniel gently pulled the blanket over her, his eyes lingering on her face before he quietly stepped out of the room.

Eugen was waiting in the hall. As soon as Nathaniel appeared, he rose from the sofa. "How did this happen?" he asked, curiosity sharp in his tone.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened at the memory of the incident. The terror in Zara's eyes, her disheveled state, and her desperate cries flashed in his mind, filling him with a violent rage.

"That man…" His teeth ground together, fury uncontained. "I'll destroy him."

"Who?" Eugen pressed, his interest piqued.

"I know him," Nathaniel growled. "He is a producer, invests in small and big budget films. But he picked the wrong person to mess with. After tonight, he won't be able to do business here."

The blazing intensity in Nathaniel's eyes left no doubt in Eugen's mind that he meant every word. Still, one question gnawed at him.

"How did she end up in that state?" Eugen asked again. "Weren't you with her?"

Nathaniel lowered himself onto the sofa, exhaustion written across his face. The image of that man forcing Zara down on the bed flashed before his eyes, making his blood surge with rage. At the same time, a cold fear gripped him.

Thankfully, he had reached her in time. A few more minutes, and the outcome could have been devastating. He was relieved that he had managed to save her, yet guilt gnawed at his chest.

"I was late," he said in a remorseful voice. "I should've been with her. I should've known she wouldn't miss Shay Walsh's event. My carelessness put her in danger."

In his heart, he was convinced none of this would have happened had he been at her side.

"What a shame," Eugen exhaled, slumping down beside him. "A grand event like that, packed with celebrities, influential figures, media… still something this vile takes place behind the glitter."

He shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. "It's fortunate you got her out quietly. If the press had caught wind of it, Zara would be splashed across headlines, turning into a topic of gossip."

Nathaniel stayed silent, but the fury blazing in his eyes didn't subside. He was resolute—those men wouldn't escape unpunished. They had drugged Zara and tried to assault her. He would make them pay.

"But this is not the only thing that surprised me," Eugen said, his tone turning teasing. His earlier stern expression melted into a grin that was equal parts amused and mocking, eyes fixed on Nathaniel like a hunter circling prey.

"Your resistance… now that's impressive," he taunted him. "Most men would have been clawing at the sheets, begging for more. But you—" he smirked, shaking his head slowly, "you didn't give in to her invitation. Instead, you called me."

He chuckled, half-amused, half-skeptical. "Incredible. How did you manage to fight that off?" Eugen mused, his intrigue edging toward something darker, unsettling. "The drug was potent. No one should've been able to walk away without reacting. She might have been begging for your help, yet you held back. That's not normal… unless you are different from the rest."

He tilted his head, his mouth agape as he scanned Nathaniel with disbelief. "Tell me, honestly—didn't you feel anything? Not a shiver in your stomach? A fire in your blood? Nothing at all?"

Nathaniel's glare was sharp and cold, a warning that could freeze the blood. But Eugen, half-thrilled, half-suspicious, pressed on, "Are you hiding something?"

Unease prickled the edges of his amusement. "No man has that kind of control. Unless… it's not control at all, but something else.

But Eugen's curiosity only grew sharper. "Are you struggling with erectile dysfunction?" he asked bluntly, baffled at how Nathaniel had resisted the urge of desire. To him, such restraint seemed unthinkable unless Nathaniel had a problem.

Nathaniel's glare turned icier, cutting like a blade. Still, Eugen pressed on.

"No, I mean it," he insisted. "If you are dealing with something like that, just say it openly. Don't be embarrassed. I know an excellent specialist I could recommend."

"Get out," Nathaniel growled, "before I disable you and make sure you'll never perform again in your life."

Eugen froze, instinctively clamping his thighs together as though to shield himself. "I-I'm leaving," he stuttered. Snatching up his bag, he scrambled to his feet. "Take care of yourself and your wife."

Without waiting for a response, he bolted out the door.

Nathaniel muttered a string of curses under his breath as he watched Eugen leave. "Sexologist? Really?" he hissed. "Why the hell would I need one? I'm more than fine. Wasn't it you who told me just days ago to hold back, let her recover first? How could I push her when she is still healing? Idiot…"