Those words hit Nathaniel like a grenade going off in his chest. Reason vanished in a flash of white-hot rage. Logic gave way to a storm of raw emotion—fury, jealousy, and a crushing sense of loss.
’She is seeing soone else. That’s why she wants to leave .’ Those words echoed in his mind like a cruel confirmation.
His blood roared in his ears, and his entire body trembled with rage. He imagined another man in this very car, touching her, kissing her, owning every part of her.
"There can be no man in your life." His eyes were wild, his voice laced with possessive fury.
In one swift, violent motion, he grabbed her jaw and slamd his lips against hers.
Zara gasped into the kiss, completely caught off guard. His mouth was unrelenting, rough, bruising—filled with frustration and claim, not affection. It wasn’t a kiss. It was a warning.
"I’m the only one who can have you," he growled between the heated clash of their mouths.
"Nathaniel, stop—you..." she tried to speak, but he devoured her lips again, cutting her off with another brutal kiss. She shoved at his shoulders, her hands tugging at his hair in desperation.
"You are such a nuisance," he hissed, and in one fierce move, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head, locking her in place against the seat.
Their eyes clashed, both of them breathing hard, both filled with fire.
"You—" she began again, but he cut in sharply.
"Don’t you dare think about another man. You are still my wife, the mother of my son."
Zara blinked, completely thrown. She had never seen Nathaniel like this—possessive, furious, acting less like the cold, distant husband she had always known and more like a man unhinged. It scared her.
"You are not going anywhere," he growled.
Before she could react, he released her and stord out of the car. In seconds, he was at her side, yanking the door open. Without giving her a chance to escape, he scooped her into his arms again.
"What are you doing?" she snapped, her voice rising. "Let go of , Nathaniel. I’m going to the office."
He didn’t answer. His jaw was locked, his eyes dark, and he simply walked straight back into the villa.
The sound of the front door slamming caught Mrs. Jules’ attention. She rushed to the hallway. Nathaniel’s disheveled look startled her, causing her to halt right in her tracks.
His hair looked like a bird’s nest. What happened in just a few minutes?
"What’s going on?" she asked in alarm, wringing her hands. "I thought you were heading to work?"
Nathaniel didn’t stop or slow down. Zara, on the other hand, was livid.
"Nathaniel, you are a lunatic," she shouted. "I’m done with this. I don’t want to be with you anymore. Let go."
She squird and kicked, trying to break free from his arms.
But his grip tightened just enough to keep her pinned. He leaned down, his mouth near her ear, voice low and threatening.
"If you keep thrashing like this, I swear I’ll take you right here in front of Mrs. Jules."
Zara went still instantly, her face flaming with a mixture of shock and humiliation.
Nathaniel shifted his gaze to Mrs. Jules. "From this mont on, Zara is not to leave this house without my permission. Understood?"
Mrs. Jules froze, glancing at Zara’s flushed, furious face. She opened her mouth but quickly shut it again. She felt pity for Zara, but she couldn’t offend Nathaneil.
"I... I understand, Sir," she said softly, bowing her head.
Nathaniel carried Zara back into the room and set her down on the bed.
"You can’t keep locked up like this," she snapped, fire in her voice. "I have a life. I have a job. I’m not your prisoner."
But he didn’t flinch.
"Stay here and reflect on your mistake," he said, jabbing a finger toward her. "And don’t even think about running off again."
With that, he turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Zara’s furious voice rang out from behind the door. "Nathaniel, I hate you. Do you hear ? I hate you."
He stopped just outside the room.
’Hate ?’
A deep, uncomfortable pull twisted in his chest.
Mrs. Jules had told him Zara loved him, claid that her loyalty, her devotion, all ca from a quiet, enduring affection. And he had believed her. Sowhere deep down, that idea had started to settle in his heart.
But now? Hate? Had he pushed her that far?
He thought back to all the tis he had ignored her, all the monts he had chosen silence over kindness, work over warmth. Maybe this was the cost. Maybe his coldness had chipped away the love in her heart.
His fists curled at his sides.
He had never hated her. He just didn’t know how to love her... not after Nora. But Zara—she had given him five years. And sohow, in all her quiet ways, she had beco a part of his life, his routine, his ho.
And now, the thought of her slipping away, of her offering pieces of herself to soone else, gnawed at him like acid.
He turned slightly, casting a glance at the closed door behind him.
’Hate all you want,’ he thought grimly, ’but you are not leaving .’
He stord down the hall.
Later that day...
Bree arrived at Nathaniel’s company, her expression fierce and unrelenting as she stord straight to the front desk and slamd her palm against the counter.
"I want to see Nathaniel," she declared, her voice ringing with authority as if the building belonged to her.
The receptionist flinched, startled by both the tone and the way she said his na so authoritatively. It was clear Bree wasn’t just anyone. She might have a strong connection with Nathaniel.
The receptionist quickly straightened. She didn’t dare offend soone who might be personally connected to the CEO.
"Do you have an appointnt, Ma’am?" she asked, cautiously polite.
"No," Bree shot back, folding her arms. "And I don’t need one. Just tell him Bree is here."
Her confidence was unnerving. The receptionist nodded without another word, picked up the intercom, and called the top floor.
"Sir," she said when the call connected, "Miss Bree is here to see you. She is asking for a eting."
"Bree?" Nathaniel echoed, eyebrows lifting in surprise.
He hadn’t expected her. But his expression eased the next mont. If Bree were here, it had everything to do with Zara.
A sly spark flickered in his eyes.
"Send her in," he said coolly, then hung up the phone.
Leaning back in his chair, he thought with interest, ’So, Bree. Zara’s closest friend. You must know who the man is. Let’s see what you spill.’
Reviews
All reviews (0)