CHAPTER 241: NATHANIEL PRIORITIZING ZARA

Riya kept waiting for Nathaniel, glancing at her watch every few minutes. Nearly an hour had passed, yet there was still no sign of him. Her patience was wearing thin.

"Why is he taking so long?" she muttered under her breath, irritation creeping into her tone. "He clearly said he could come quickly. If he left the office right away, it shouldn’t take this long. Did something hold him up?"

After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to call him. "I can’t just sit here any longer. I need to know if he’s even coming."

Her finger hovered over his number, ready to call him. In the meantime, she caught sight of him entering the store. Instantly, all her annoyance vanished. Her face brightened with relief and delight.

"Nathaniel, you are finally here." She stepped toward him. "I’ve been waiting forever. What took you so long?"

The question barely escaped her mouth when she noticed another figure entering after Nathaniel. The smile on Riya’s face vanished altogether.

"Zara?" She was stunned. ’What is she doing here?’

She had expected him to come alone, but he had actually bought his wife. Why?

Riya wanted to scream.

"Yes, I brought her along," Nathaniel said casually, slipping an arm around Zara’s waist and pulling her close. "She has got a better eye for these things than I do."

Zara flashed a smile. That smile was too bright to be genuine. "Don’t worry. I’ll help you pick the perfect ring for your fiancé."

Riya forced a grin, but inwardly, she was seething. ’Who needs your help, you bitch?’

’I know what you have in your mind, you shameless woman,’ Zara also muttered in her mind as if she had heard what Riya’s inner voice.

"Why are we standing here?" Zara asked. "Let’s take a look at the collections." Looping her arm through Nathaniel’s, she guided him deeper into the store.

"You can have anything you like," Nathaniel murmured against her ear. "I want my wife to look stunning at the party."

Zara’s cheeks warmed, and she gently nudged him away. "We are in a store, behave yourself."

Nathaniel, however, didn’t follow her words. He stood close to her. "I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m with my wife, not someone else."

Zara was about to step back again, but then she caught Riya’s icy glare from across the room. A mischievous spark lit her eyes. Instead of pulling away, she smiled provocatively and tugged Nathaniel closer as if she was declaring her possession.

"Then help me pick a necklace," she said softly.

"Anything for you," he whispered back.

Rather than helping Riya choose a ring, the two became engrossed in admiring the necklaces instead.

The salesgirl brought out several stunning designs, each more dazzling than the last. Zara’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she examined them.

"Wow, everything is so beautiful. Riya..." She turned to Riya, who was standing a little away from them, fuming. "Come look at these sets. You should pick one too."

Riya forced a smile, though she was seething inside. "No, it’s fine. I already have one. Mom gave me an expensive necklace."

"Oh, that’s lovely," Zara replied sweetly. "Then go ahead and check out the rings. Choose whichever you like." She turned back to the display, admiring the sets with a satisfied smile.

Riya muttered a quiet curse under her breath. She had expected Nathaniel to at least urge her to pick something, but he didn’t say a word. It was obvious he had no intention of buying her anything.

Feeling humiliated and ignored, Riya turned and walked aside. She had lost all her interest. Whether she chose a ring or not no longer mattered.

When she glanced back, she saw Zara trying on a necklace while Nathaniel fastened the clasp for her. Their closeness, the easy smile on Zara’s face, made something hot twist inside her. Rage and jealousy surged through her, burning her from within. She instantly regretted calling Nathaniel in the first place.

’If I had known you would bring her along, I wouldn’t have called you,’ she grumbled inwardly.

"You haven’t selected a ring yet," came Zara’s voice that grated on Riya’s nerves. "Having trouble deciding? Nathaniel, maybe you should help your sister."

"I’m not good at this," Nathaniel replied casually. "That’s why I brought you. You are better at picking these things."

Zara chuckled. "Fine." She turned to the display of glittering diamond rings, her gaze settling on a pair of couples’ rings.

"Let me see these," she told the salesgirl.

The salesgirl instantly took out the box and showed her. "These are perfect for the new couple. Only a few sample sets came. All are sold out. It’s the last set remains at our shop."

"Is that so?" Nathaniel said, interest flickering in his eyes. "Let me take a look."

Zara shot him a teasing glare. "Don’t tell me you actually like these."

"Hmm." Nathaniel checked the rings. "Let’s try it." He slid one ring onto Zara’s finger before putting the matching one on himself.

Riya gasped, shock written all over her face. That couple’s ring was supposed to be hers and Liam’s, but they put them on. Were they here to help her, or to humiliate her?

Fury surged through her, so intense it felt as though her head would explode. She was about to lash out when Nathaniel turned to the salesgirl.

"We are taking this set. And..." He skimmed his eyes over and casually picked a ring. "That one too."

"Sure." The salesgirl quickly took out the ring he pointed to.

Zara was momentarily stunned by his indifference toward Riya. She hadn’t expected him to ignore her so completely, treating her as though she didn’t matter at all. Whether it was intentional or not, Zara couldn’t deny she enjoyed it.

In the past, he had always prioritized Riya, fulfilling her demands. But this time, it was completely different. For the first time, he was paying full attention to her even though Riya was around.

For the first time, Zara felt confident that he would stand by her. Maybe life in the Grant mansion wouldn’t be as difficult as she had imagined.

Zara was content, all her doubts and fears dissolving into thin air. A wide grin danced on her lips. But that smile faltered a bit for a fleeting moment when she saw Riya brooding in the corner.

Riya looked like a whining child who didn’t get her favorite toy.

Zara wanted to laugh. But she pushed down the bubbling laughter. "What are you doing standing there?" she asked in a serious tone. "We have selected this ring. Come here and check whether you like it or not."

Riya didn’t move. "No need," she said stiffly. "You’ve already made the choice."

"That’s final then," said Nathaniel. "Make the bill."

Riya opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out of her mouth. She had faintly hoped that Nathaniel would call her to check, but he had finalized it without bothering about whether she was willing to take it or not.

Frustration inside her rose to her throat, almost choking her. She had never felt this neglected before. The humiliation burned hotter than ever.

’I’ll never forget this. Nathaniel, you disappointed me.’ Riya dug her nails deeply into her palm.