Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 265: Riya’s endless demands

Chapter 265: Riya’s endless demands
Nathaniel immediately let go of her. "Alright..." he said, lifting his hands in surrender. "I’m asking you politely now. Just tell me what you gave her."
Riya huffed and sank back onto the sofa. "You yelled at me, grabbed me by the throat, threatened to ruin me and my career — and now you expect me to help you just because you suddenly feel like it?" She gave a cold laugh. "You didn’t even apologize."
"You—" Nathaniel pointed at her, anger flaring in his eyes. But he stopped himself, forcing his fists into his pockets to stay in control.
"Sorry," he muttered, looking away.
"That’s it? Such a dry apology?" she mocked. "You don’t mean it at all. Forget it. I’m done here." She stood up to leave.
"Wait." Nathaniel caught her arm. "Why are you doing this? She treated you like her own daughter. Don’t you feel any guilt? How could you hurt her?"
Riya turned toward him sharply. "Ask yourself that. It’s not my fault. It’s all because of you." She jerked her arm free, her glare turning icy.
"Why did you stop loving me? I treated all of you like my family, but you changed. You turned cold, ignored me, humiliated me, and threatened me. You are the one who pushed me away."
Her voice hardened. "I’m not some saint. I can feel pain too, and I’ll make sure to return it, with interest."
Nathaniel struggled to keep his rage in check. But he couldn’t lose his temper yet. Without knowing what kind of drug had been used on Gracie, he couldn’t do anything to save her. He needed that information, and for that, he was ready to humble himself before Riya.
"Look, I understand I upset you," he said, his tone softening. "I shouldn’t have said those things. I’m truly sorry. Could you please help me save Mom? She is your mother, too. She loves you so much. Even if you can’t forgive me, do it for her."
Riya looked into his eyes. Nathaniel was genuinely desperate, but not broken the way she had hoped. The helpless look she wanted to see wasn’t there yet. And she didn’t like it.
"Just a few minutes ago, you said you would make me pay," Riya reminded him, settling on the sofa. "And now, you are pleading with me because you are desperate to save your mother. Once I help you, you will not hesitate to punish me, ruin me. Why will I help you? There is no reason for me to trust you."
Nathaniel’s patience threatened to snap. Time was slipping away, and he was yet to force out the truth from Riya’s mouth. Each passing minute was pushing his mother into further danger. He was afraid his mother’s condition would deteriorate.
"What do you want?" he asked. "Money, jewelry, a house, a car – name it. I’ll give you whatever you ask."
Riya smirked inwardly, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. This was what she wanted to hear – Nathaniel looked a bit helpless now.
"Are you sure you will fulfil my demands?" she asked, testing him. "Think carefully. I may ask something that you will hesitate to give."
Nathaniel’s main concern was his mother’s survival. Saving her was all that mattered. He could even give all his property to her.
"I won’t back out," he said with conviction. "Tell me, what do you want?"
Riya’s heart soared high, excitement brimming in her heart. "I want to be the face of Nicole’s brand," she laid her first demand. "Call her. She won’t turn you down."
"That’s it?" Nathaniel thought it sounded simple enough. "I’ll call her right away." He took out his phone. But before he could dial her number, Riya spoke again, interrupting him.
"I haven’t finished yet. Hear my conditions first."
Nathaniel paused, hesitant.
"I’ll accept it only when Zara is removed from Nicole’s company. I won’t work alongside her."
"What?" Nathaniel squinted at her, his frustration rising in his chest. "I am ready to talk to Nicole. Why are you targeting Zara?"
"Are you already breaking your promise?" Riya muttered. "Fine. I don’t want anything. I’m already tired."
She picked up her back and started to rise.
"Alright, I’ll ask her to terminate the contract with Zara," Nathaniel said quickly. "Satisfied now?"
Riya gave him a suspicious look as if she didn’t believe him.
Nathaniel understood the meaning of that look. "I’m calling her right away."
He dialed Nicole’s number, and the call was connected after a few rings.
"Hey, Nathaniel," Nicole’s voice came through the speaker. "You rarely reach out to me. How come you are calling me today?"
"I need your help," Nathaniel said, trying to sound steady. But his mind was racing as he couldn’t understand how to tell her to fire Zara.
"Okay, I’m all ears."
"Riya wants to work with you," he said. "Please make her your brand ambassador."
"Riya?" Nicole repeated, clearly surprised. "Uh, okay. I can do that. She is gorgeous and talented. I’ve been looking for a fresh face for the brand anyway. Yes, she can be it. Anything else?"
"Yes, uh..." Nathaniel hesitated, scratching his forehead. What he was about to say was wrong. He knew it would devastate Zara. But he couldn’t afford to anger Riya. He thought he would make it up to his wife later.
"Terminate your contract with Zara," he uttered.
"Wait, what? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I’m serious."
"But why?"
"I’ll explain later. But make sure she doesn’t know about this conversation."
There was a silence on the other end for some time until her voice came through. "Okay, I don’t know what is going on between you and Zara. But I’ll do as you say. If you don’t want her to work for me, so be it. I’ll cancel the contract with her. And don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word to her. It’s a promise."
"Thanks, Nicole."
Riya folded her arms and watched him with a sarcastic smile. It was not that tough to deal with this man. His love for his family was his greatest weakness. He didn’t even care about destroying his wife’s career to save his mother.
Zara would never forgive him for this.
Riya really wished Zara were there to witness how Nathaniel had betrayed her.
Nathaniel turned back to her, ending the call. "See, I did what you asked. You will be working with Nicole. Now give me the name of the drug."
"This is not the end," she scoffed. "I have more demands."
"What else do you want?" he barked.
"Don’t raise your voice at me," Riya retaliated. "If you make me angry, forget about saving your mother. I won’t tell you a thing."
Nathaniel inhaled deeply, scrunching up his face. His jaw clenched so tightly that it hurt. "Tell me the rest of your demands," he muttered, baring his teeth.
Riya smiled. "Yes, I like it when you speak with me carefully. Don’t make the mistake again."
She picked up her phone leisurely and scrolled down the screen. "You have already destroyed Zara’s career. I’m quite satisfied with that, you know." She leaned back on the sofa, eyes gleaming with malice as she looked at him. "Now I want you to kick her out of your life. Divorce her."
At that, Nathaniel’s whole body burned in rage. "Don’t go too far," he grunted. "I can kill you right away."
"Go ahead," she challenged as she knew he wouldn’t do that. "Who is stopping you?"
Nathaniel’s fists trembled at his sides. Every nerve ending was charged with rage, urging him to take action. He, however, managed to control his rising fury.
"Let me make it very clear to you, Nathaniel," she added fiercely. "Hurt me, and your mother will never wake up. Are you willing to lose her because of Zara?"
"Fine, fine..." He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. "I’ll divorce her."
He thought he would explain everything to Zara later once he saved his mother. He believed Zara would understand him.
"Then do it now," Riya uttered. "Send her the divorce agreement. Tell her to leave your place. Let her know you don’t want to do anything with her. Break her heart, make her believe you no longer care about her."
That was it. Nathaniel’s patience hit the breaking point. He lunged over her and grabbed her throat with both hands.
"You wench," he growled. "I’ll kill you right here."
Riya clawed at his arms, desperate to break free. But Nathaniel wouldn’t budge. Fury had overtaken him, and reason fled. He no longer cared about anything. All he wanted was to end her game.
Riya could barely breathe. She realized he wouldn’t release her until she reminded him of his mother’s situation. She stopped struggling.
"Kill me, and your mother will be dead," she rasped.
Nathaniel came to his senses and stepped back, releasing her instantly.
Riya gasped for air, rubbing her aching throat. She shot him a loathing glare. "You have no idea what danger your parents are," she wheezed. "Your father is also poisoned. His condition will only deteriorate slowly if he doesn’t get the antidote."
Nathaniel felt numbness crawling up his spine. "You poisoned him, too?" He scowled at her with shock and disbelief.