Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Nathaniel and Zara finally stepped into the house, his arm still wrapped protectively around her waist. Zara's steps were heavy, exhausted, the weight of everything she had endured pressing over her chest.

Mrs. Jules rushed toward them with her usual warm smile, ready to welcome them. But she paused in her tracks as soon as she caught sight of Nathaniel's face, covered with bruises. The smile vanished instantly, replaced by alarm.

His appearance was unsettling: his jaw was visibly swollen, a faint smear of blood lingered at the edge of his lips, and a nasty cut above his left eyebrow stood out beneath the dried blood. His shirt, once crisp and ironed, now hung crumpled and stained, and his usually neat hair was disheveled.

Beside him, Zara looked pale and shaken, her expression dazed like someone who had just walked through a storm.

"Oh my goodness—what happened to you?" Mrs. Jules asked with concern.

"We had a small accident," Nathaniel replied calmly, not revealing the truth. "But we are okay. Just a few bruises, nothing serious."

"I'll bring some ice." Without pressing further, Mrs. Jules rushed off to fetch an ice pack while Nathaniel guided Zara toward their bedroom.

Once inside, he led her to the bed and helped her sit down, his hands still firm on her shoulders. "Rest here. I'll get you a change of clothes."

But Zara clutched his hand, stopping him. "Thank you," she whispered.

She hadn't spoken a word the entire way back, her mind overwhelmed by the terrifying memories of what had happened. But now, in the warmth of their room, surrounded by familiar walls, she felt safe and allowed herself to breathe.

Nathaniel looked at her, his expression softening, "Don't thank me," he said, placing his hand over hers. "I'm just glad I got there in time."

What he didn't say was how terrified he had been the moment he heard her scream. Panic and fear had seized his heart. He had never felt such helplessness before. The thought of her in danger again had chilled him to the core.

Then again, he recalled the way Zara had fought back, how she had struck those men with all her might. It wasn't he who saved her. It was the other way around.

"I should be thanking you," he said. "You were the one who saved me. If you hadn't fought back, they would've crushed me."

The lightness in Nathaniel's voice and the hint of a smile playing on his lips seemed to reach right into Zara's chest, loosening the tight knot of tension she had been holding since she had left the hotel. Her shoulders relaxed, the haunting weight of the evening slowly beginning to dissolve.

"Don't tease me," she murmured half-heartedly, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

But Nathaniel hadn't been teasing. He meant every word. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, a knock on the door cut through the moment.

"Sir, I brought the ice," Mrs. Jules called from the other side.

Nathaniel turned away and walked to open the door.

"Here it is," she said, handing him the cold pack.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jules. Did Zane fall asleep?"

"Yes, sir. He went to bed on time." She glanced at the envelope in her other hand. "Also, Mr. Roberto dropped this off for you."

Nathaniel's eyes lit up the moment he took the envelope. It was the surprise he had prepared for Zara. His chest swelled with anticipation. He was eager to see how she would react when she saw it.

"Thank you. You must be exhausted. Go get some rest now."

"Good night, sir," Mrs. Jules replied and left.

Nathaniel shut the door and turned around, only to pause mid-step.

Zara had just emerged from the closet, holding the first aid box. Their gazes collided in the air.

"Well?" She raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to stand there all night? Come here. Let me take care of those wounds."

A familiar warmth stirred inside him.

She had always been this way—caring and warm. Nathaniel remembered the nights she had sat by his bed, spoon-feeding him bland food she had cooked herself, never leaving his side when he had suffered from stomach issues back then. She had always looked after him, never once complaining.

And now, here she was again, ready to tend to his wounds.

His heart gave a subtle, strong thud as he took a step toward her, his eyes never drifting from hers. This feeling was not unknown to him. It was just that he felt it after a very long time.

"Sit down."

Nathaniel did as told, his eyes fixed on her the entire time. He watched as she opened the first aid box and pulled out a cotton ball, then soaked it with antiseptic.

As she came closer, his pulse raced. With a gentle touch, she began to dab at the blood drying near his lips.

"Hiss," he flinched slightly as the liquid met the raw skin.

"Sorry." She instantly pulled her hand back. "Does it hurt?"

Her worry was so sincere, so visible, it stirred something deep in him. His heart fluttered again.

"No," he murmured, shaking his head. "It's fine."

The sting was nothing compared to the warmth he felt under her care.

She moved to the cut on his brow, carefully wiping away the blood crusted there. She blew on it softly to soothe the sting. Her breath grazed his skin, sending an unexpected shiver down his spine.

Goosebumps broke out along his arms. The sensation was oddly comforting. His eyes drifted shut, savoring the tenderness.

Zara, however, misread his reaction. "Does it hurt?" she asked, pausing.

He opened his eyes, only to find her face just inches from his. Her breath mingled with his, and for a heartbeat, everything else in the world ceased to exist. He didn't reply. He simply stared at her.

"I'm almost done," she added softly. "Just bear it for a little longer."

Nathaniel wasn't thinking about pain. He watched the way her brows furrowed in concentration, the way her touch remained light, and the way her lips formed a small 'O,' as she blew air.

She put a bandage over his cut on the brow, then picked up the ice pack from the nightstand and held it out to him.

"All done. Put this on your jaw. I'll go clean up first. Then I'll make some soup for you."

Before he could thank her, she hurried into the bathroom.

Nathaniel pressed the ice pack against his aching jaw, the cold stinging slightly. But a small smile curled his lips. The sight of Zara taking care of him, her voice laced with concern, had filled his chest with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time, not since Nora. For a moment, everything felt lighter, easier. It was as if he was beginning to feel something again.

'Am I falling for her?' The thought came suddenly, his heart thudding a little harder.