Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Riya recoiled at Zachary's words, trembling as a chill ran down her spine. "What? You-you want me to steal from Nathaniel's office?" she stammered with disbelief.

Panic gripped her chest. At that point, she remembered how her father and Nathaniel had always shared a distant, strained relationship with Zachary, the illegitimate son of the Grant family. They had never truly accepted him into the family.

Zachary had always been the outsider, and more than that, Nathaniel's arch nemesis, constantly battling him for control of the family empire.

And now, she realized why Zachary had approached her. He wanted to use her as a weapon to strike at the heart of the Grants. And she had walked right into his trap.

Her mind spiraled.

If she refused him, he would expose her darkest secrets to the Grants. They'd turn their backs on her. The life of comfort and privilege she had always known would vanish overnight. But if she gave in, she'd be betraying the very people who had embraced her, who had trusted her.

She sat frozen in a tormenting dilemma, torn between loyalty and survival.

"You don't have to do it," Zachary said indifferently. "I'm not forcing you. But don't expect anything from me either."

Riya's throat tightened as desperation flickered in her eyes. "Why?" she asked, her tone laced with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "Why won't you help me? I'm your lover now. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

But Zachary's face remained unreadable, cold, and detached. "You should have read the contract more carefully," he said flatly, utterly unaffected. "It stated very clearly—you are my submissive, a sex companion. Nothing more. No emotions attached. No favors."

His words sliced through her like ice, and in that moment, she realized the brutal truth: Zachary had never seen her as anything more than a plaything.

Fury simmered beneath her skin. Her chest ached with the sting of betrayal. A deep sense of regret clawed at her insides.

How had she let herself fall into Zachary's trap? If only she could rewind time, undo her mistake, take a different path.

"You promised you'd protect me," she snapped.

Zachary didn't flinch. "And I did," he said coolly. "You signed the contract, and in return, I ensured Nathaniel never found out who had spiked his drink at the bar that night. I held up my end of the deal. Now, if you want more from me, if you want help, you have to give something in return. It's a simple transaction."

Her eyes flared with pain and rage. "You used me," she hissed. "You played me from the start. You lured me in and trapped me with that damned contract. I should never have agreed."

Her sobs filled the small space of the car.

Zachary's face twisted with annoyance. "Enough," he growled. "You weren't forced. You signed the contract on your own. You said you'd do anything I asked. And now you want to play the victim?"

His hand shot out, gripping her jaw and making her face him. His eyes blazed with contempt.

"The truth is, you were desperate," he sneered. "You claimed you loved Nathaniel and wanted a life with him, but that was never the truth. What you really loved was the luxury, the ease, the privilege that came with being part of the Grant family."

He leaned in, his voice dropping into a dangerous snarl. "If you truly loved him, you would've told him the truth long ago, regardless of the risks or fallout. But you didn't. Nathaniel is just your obsession. A fantasy. And deep down, you are terrified of losing the comfort that comes with being a daughter of the Grant family."

Riya stared at him, stunned, her tears still streaming down her face. Deep down, she had genuine feelings for Nathaniel, but the fear of losing the status, the comfort, the life of privilege she had been enjoying as the adopted daughter of the Grant family had always held her back. That fear had silenced her, made her choose comfort over her feelings.

But hearing the harsh truth come from Zachary's mouth made everything feel uglier.

"You didn't even think twice before crawling into my bed and becoming my secret lover," he sneered, his tone calm but chilling. "You could have said no. You still can. Walk away if you want. I won't stop you. But don't forget the terms you agreed to. If you breach the contract early, the penalty is fifty million. Pay it, and you are free."

He let go of her and leaned back.

Riya's pulse thundered in her ears. She didn't have that kind of money. Arranging it wasn't a tough job for her. But even if she arranged it, what guarantee did she have that Zachary wouldn't ruin her?

She couldn't trust him. He had too much power over her now. The footage from the bar, the videos of their private moments, even the knowledge of her role in the attack on Zara—he held all of it like weapons aimed at her.

Walking away wouldn't be freedom. It would be self-destruction.

Cornered and helpless, Riya swallowed her pride.

"I… I'll get you the details about the deal," she said, finally giving in to his demand.

Zachary's lips curled into a smug smirk, clearly pleased with her surrender. He knew she wouldn't walk away.

"Smart choice. You have made the right call. I'll tell you everything about the client. Since you are Nathaniel's sister, you'll have no trouble getting into his office. All you have to do is find the confidential file of the project and bring it to me."

Riya gave a nod, forcing herself to stay composed. "Fine. I'll do it. But about Zara—"

"Leave it," Zachary cut in sharply, not letting her finish. "I'll take care of it. No one will trace those men back to you."

Only then did Riya exhale, a weight lifting off her chest.

"But…"

The single word was enough to make her flinch, her body tensing under his icy voice. The relief she had felt just now vanished.

"You acted recklessly," he hissed. "And mistakes have consequences. You will be punished."

"What?" she exclaimed, her spine stiffening. "Are you serious? I gave in to all your demands. Why do I still deserve punishment?"

"Because you belong to me now," he growled, grabbing her and pushing her back against the seat. His face was inches from hers, fury shadowing his features. "You should come to me if something is bothering you. I told you I'd protect you. Why are you doing such reckless things?"

"I'm… I'm sorry," she whispered, trembling in fear.

"Sorry what?"

"Sorry, master."

At that, something shifted in Zachary's eyes. He gripped her chin tightly enough to make her squirm.

"Don't forget who you are? Don't forget who owns you. If you do, your punishment will be far more severe than you can imagine."

"I know," she breathed out quickly, cutting him off before he could threaten her further. Her arms slowly rose, curling around his neck as she pulled him close, desperate to please him. "I won't do anything stupid again. But I hate Zara. Can't you get rid of her somehow?"

His eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction. "As long as you stay obedient, I'll keep you safe."

He kissed her again hungrily, fiercely.