Chapter 78: The disturbing thought

Words : 1149 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 78 of "Reclaimed By My Ex-husband" commences with: Chapter 78: The disturbing thoughtNathaniel felt a chill crossing his spine. It wasn’t the first... Don’t miss the next part!

Chapter 78: The disturbing thoughtNathaniel felt a chill crossing his spine. It wasn’t the first time Riya had kissed him. Since they were young, she had often pecked his cheek whenever he gave her a present or did something thoughtful. It was a sweet, innocent habit he had never questioned. But this time, it felt wrong. Everything about the moment replayed in his head—the way she leaned in too close, how her body pressed against his, and the kiss. It didn’t feel like the innocent affection of a sister. It felt more like a woman expressing love to her man. Uneasy, Nathaniel grabbed a tissue and wiped the side of his face, his jaw tightening. "What the hell is wrong with me?" he muttered. "Why am I even thinking like this?" He shook his head hard, trying to silence the discomfort creeping into his gut. No He refused to believe it. Riya was the Grant family’s adopted daughter. His little sister. There was no way she saw him any other way, right? Still, the lingering doubt refused to leave. He adjusted his jacket and sat down, forcing himself to focus. But his thoughts kept circling back to Riya’s words. Why would Zara slap her just because Riya shared some good news? ’Is Zara... really jealous of Riya?’ he wondered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Even if she was angry at him, why would she go so far as to lash out at Riya? "I need to talk to her," he murmured. His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. Glancing at the screen, he was surprised to see a familiar name flashing—Nicole. It had been years since they last spoke. "Hello?" he answered, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "What made you think of this old friend today?" "Nathaniel," came Nicole’s warm voice. "After so many years... it almost feels unreal. I’m in town. Can we meet?" "You are back?" he asked, surprised. Nicole had moved abroad after her marriage. What was she doing here? "Yes. I’ve been invited as a special guest to a fashion event here." Nathaniel immediately realized it was the same event where Zara’s designs would be showcased. A flicker of an idea sparked in his mind. Nicole was the owner of a global fashion label. Her support could help Zara rise in her career to a whole new level. Before he could speak, Nicole added, "Actually, I was hoping you could help me. I’m planning to expand my brand here. I need help finding a property for a flagship store." "I can help with that," Nathaniel said without missing a beat. "Let’s meet and discuss it." "Perfect." "I’ll also be at the event tomorrow. Let’s catch up there." "Sounds like a plan. See you then." As he ended the call, a slow, thoughtful smile tugged at his lips. The timing couldn’t be better. If he played it right, tomorrow could be a turning point for Zara’s career. But the smile faded just as quickly as his mind raced back to Riya. The memory of that hug, that kiss, made his stomach churn. What if Zara ever saw Riya cling to him like that again? She’d never believe it was innocent. And truth be told, it wasn’t. Not anymore. He sighed and ran a hand down his face. ’I need to talk to Riya,’ he thought. ’She is not a little girl anymore. She can’t act recklessly.’ A knock at the door snapped Nathaniel out of his spiraling thoughts. "Come in," he called, straightening in his chair and adjusting his posture. Roberto entered, holding a few thick files. "Sir," he placed the documents on the desk, "these need your signature." He flipped through the pages quickly, pausing at each tabbed section for Nathaniel to sign. Nathaniel picked up his pen, scribbling his signature where needed, though his mind wasn’t in the room. He was still reeling from the earlier moment with Riya. And the memory from that night at the bar resurfaced. He had been drugged, and Riya had been with him. At the time, Roberto had subtly hinted at the possibility that she might have spiked the drink. Nathaniel had brushed it off. But now... a sick feeling twisted in his gut. What if she really had feelings for him? What if she were the one who had drugged him that night? He stopped signing mid-page and looked up at Roberto, his gaze sharp. "What happened to that bar’s surveillance footage?" he asked. "You never followed up." Roberto straightened. "I checked with the team. The data has been damaged, but they are working on recovering it. It may take a few more days. I’ll update you the moment I get something." "Good. I want the person who drugged me found," Nathaniel said coldly. But deep down, he was silently hoping it wasn’t Riya. He needed to believe she wasn’t capable of something so underhanded. Finding the real culprit would clear her name. More importantly, silence the gnawing doubts that threatened to shatter the bond he had cherished for years. Riya had always been a little sister to him, and he didn’t want to lose that trust. After scribbling his signature on the final page, Nathaniel shut the file and handed it back to Roberto with a nod. "Bring some flowers for Zara," he ordered. Roberto blinked, taken aback. In all the years he had worked for Nathaniel, he had never heard him make a request like that, never once had he seen him send flowers to his wife. "What kind of flowers?" Roberto asked, still trying to process it. "Roses? Daisies? Lilies?" Nathaniel paused, lost in thought. He remembered that Nora lit up at the sight of red roses. She had said Roses were her favorite. As a twin sister, Zara might also feel the same. That’s what he thought. "Red roses," he said softly, a trace of nostalgia coloring his voice. He even imagined Zara smiling upon receiving the flowers. Roberto was even more taken aback as he saw the subtle smile on his boss’s face. It was an incredibly rare sight. Since Nora’s death, Nathaniel had forgotten how to smile. He only smiled when he was with his son, Zane. But now, for the first time in years, Roberto saw that same genuine smile resurface, and it caught him completely off guard. ’He is changing,’ Roberto thought. ’I think he has started to like Madam Zara.’ He cleared his throat awkwardly, then asked hesitantly, "Would you like to include a gift as well?" Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, considering it. Zara had been quiet, withdrawn, and still hurting. Maybe a small gift would brighten her mood. "Yeah," he said, already standing. "Let’s pick something for her." Nathaniel had grabbed his coat and was already striding out of the office. "Wait—sir... I’m coming," Roberto scrambled after him.

Chapter 78: The disturbing thought

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