CHAPTER 237: RIYA’S VILE PLAN

A determination flashed in her mind. To secure her future and enjoy the luxury throughout her life, she had to become the hostess of this family. It would only happen when she helped Zachary.

"I’ll help him reclaim his place," she muttered with a malicious glint in her eyes.

Her hand fell on a small, clear pouch among the scattered things. She picked it up, heart racing.

Zachary had given her that powder and told her to slip a little into Vincent’s drink regularly. It would steadily make him ill.

She had resisted so far as she couldn’t bring herself to harm the man who had raised her. But the fear of losing everything she had made her desperate.

"Sorry, Dad, I have no enmity with you, but I need to secure my future," she mumbled. "Don’t worry. I’ll save you once everything is under my control."

She remembered Zachary claiming that he had the antidote to this poison. She was sure he would give it to her if she requested him.

"I don’t want to hurt anyone of you. I just can’t tolerate Zara around. She has to leave Nathaniel and this family. Then everything will be fine. We’ll live happily together."

~~~~~~~~~~

Zara finally finished unpacking and arranging the stuff neatly in the closet. She breathed a weary sigh, her shoulders sagging.

"Tired," came Nathaniel’s voice from behind.

Startled, Zara almost jumped in her place and pivoted to face him. "You?" Her hand flew to her chest. "You scared me." She remembered him going out after dropping the suitcase. But she didn’t notice him coming back. "I thought you were with everyone downstairs. Why did you come back?"

"Because I missed my wife," he drawled as he enveloped her in his arms. "Are you okay?"

Her brows drew together slightly. "Why do you ask?"

His smile faded as he met her gaze. "Because I know you are not comfortable here. I forced you to come, and I’m worried you might be upset with me."

Zara shook her head. "No. We are doing this for Zane. Staying here is a better option."

She didn’t want him to know she had forgotten to pick Zane up earlier. The guilt already weighed on her. If something like that happened again, she could forgive herself.

"Can’t you see how happy he is here?" she added gently.

Nathaniel nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. "He does love being here. But I’m thinking about you."

"If he is happy, I’m happy," she replied.

"I know you love him. But I want to know what Zara personally feels." He looked into her eyes deeply with concern written all over his face. "Don’t hide your emotions behind Zane’s comfort. I am your husband. You can be honest with me."

Warmth spread into her chest. It was the first time he had spoken to her with genuine concern for her feelings. This was what she had always longed for – Nathaniel caring about her as a partner. It felt surreal, like a wish finally coming true.

"Why are you looking at me like this?" he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. His breathing grew heavy. "When you look at me like that, it drives me insane."

His heart raced wildly, and he couldn’t hold himself back.

Zara pushed against his chest. "We should go down. Everyone is waiting for us."

Breaking free from his arms, she turned to leave. Before she could take a step, his strong arm wrapped around her waist and drew her back. In a blink, he turned her toward him and smacked his lips against her, kissing her fiercely.

"Mm..." Zara gasped in shock, freezing in her place.

Riya, who happened to be walking past the room, stopped when she caught a faint sound coming from inside. Frowning, she tilted her head slightly, listening closely. Her eyes drifted toward the closed door of Nathaniel’s room.

"Uh...Nathaniel...Mm..."

The muffled voice reached her ears again. It didn’t take much for her to grasp what was happening beyond that door. A surge of anger and jealousy shot through her chest at the thought of Nathaniel being intimate with Zara.

"How shameless," Riya muttered, her face twisting in disgust. "She doesn’t even care that the elders are still awake and that anyone can hear her...Ugh." She stomped her feet and hurried away.

Inside the room...

Nathaniel continued kissing her with burning intensity, pinning her against the wall. His fingers locked around her wrists above her head, subduing her resistance. When he finally broke the kiss, both were breathless. He leaned his head against her shoulder, drawing in her soft, floral scent.

"Nathaniel, you..." Zara muttered, pursing her lips. "Why did you kiss me so hard? My lips are swollen now. How am I supposed to face everyone?"

Her lips still tingled painfully.

"You make me lose my control," he whispered. "Don’t blame me. It’s your fault. Who told you to look so pretty and tempting?"

He pinched her chin and lifted her face slightly, lowering his head to meet her lips yet again.

"Control." She pressed a finger against his lips. "You are not planning to skip dinner, are you?"

She pushed him away and strode out. "Hiss," she grimaced as she brushed her finger over her lips. "He is a devil."

Nathaniel smirked as he watched her leave, Zara’s scent still clinging to his body. He touched his lips, recalling her sweet taste. He couldn’t wait to claim her again.

"How long do you think you can run from me?" he murmured. "Tonight, I’ll make sure you surrender completely."

With determination gleaming in his eyes, he followed her out.

When he came down, he saw everyone gathering at the dining table. He quietly sat down next to Zara. When he glanced at her, he noticed the blush that lingered in her cheeks. It made her even more alluring, and his resolve started to crumble again. He wished he could take her away from everyone and continue what they had started upstairs.

His gaze moved to the people around the table fleetingly. Everyone was busy eating, not paying much attention to them. A mischievous thought crossed his mind.

He slid his hand beneath the table and rested it on her thigh.

Zara jolted in surprise, the fork slipping out of her grip and falling onto the plate with a clatter.