Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 291: I’m not going to give in that easily.

Chapter 291: I’m not going to give in that easily.
Zara felt a gentle tug at her hand, small fingers fidgeting with hers, a light, ticklish touch brushing along her arm. Slowly, awareness seeped back in. A soft, familiar voice reached her ears.
"Mommy."
Her lashes fluttered open, and she saw Zane sitting beside her, his hand resting over hers.
His face brightened instantly. "You are awake," he exclaimed, grinning. "Daddy—"
Zara curled her fingers around his. "Who brought you here?" she asked softly. "Daddy?"
He nodded eagerly. "Yes. Daddy brought me. I’m sorry. He told me not to disturb you. But I really wanted to talk to you, so I woke you up. You are not angry with me, right?"
She shook her head, a faint smile touching her lips. Looking at him, her heart melted. No matter how hurt or disappointed she felt toward Nathaniel, Zane was her child. She could never be upset with him, never walk away from him.
"No, I’m not angry at all," she said gently. "I’m happy."
At last, she was seeing him again. She had missed him deeply ever since Nathaniel had barred her from the mansion, treating her like an outsider, even an enemy. Brushing away the tears, she pushed aside the ache in her chest.
"How are you?" she asked hoarsely. "Did you miss me?"
"I missed you so much, Mommy," Zane replied brightly. "But Daddy said I shouldn’t call you for a few days because he wanted to surprise you. I wanted to tell you so many times, but Great-Grandma said it would spoil the surprise. So I didn’t call. Are you mad at me?"
Zara stared at him in disbelief. The shock lingered only briefly before giving way to an aching disappointment. Nathaniel had shared his plan with his grandmother and with Zane. They had all known it was an act, but he had kept her in the dark.
Why?
Didn’t he believe her enough to share the truth?
A bitter smile curved her lips. "I am upset," she said softly, "but not with you." She reached out and cupped his cheek. "You are my little heart. I could never be angry with you."
Zane’s grin widened. "I made something for you," he announced excitedly. "Wait here. I’ll show you."
He dashed to the other side of the room, rummaged through his backpack, and pulled out a sheet of paper. Racing back to her, he held it up proudly.
"Look. I made this for you."
’Welcome Home, Mommy’ was written in bold, colorful letters. Beneath it was a crayon drawing of a little boy offering a bouquet to a woman.
Zara’s lips curved into a warm smile. "It’s beautiful."
"Really? You like it?" he asked, eyes shining.
She nodded. "Of course, I do."
His tiny shoulders relaxed as he let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness. I was scared you wouldn’t like it."
"Why wouldn’t I?" she said gently. "My son made this for me. It’s more precious than any expensive gift."
"Yes, yes, Zane has made the very best gift for his mother," a familiar female voice echoed from the doorway.
Zara turned toward the sound and saw Gracie wheeling herself into the room. Surprise flickered across Zara’s face as she slowly sat up.
"Mom..." Zara’s gaze drifted down to Gracie’s legs and then to the wheelchair.
The realization that Gracie could no longer walk made her throat constrict. She also noticed how pale and frail she looked. In just a few days, Gracie seemed to have aged significantly, strands of gray threading through her hair.
Zara had never seen her like this before. She was used to Gracie as a dignified, elegant woman—always immaculate, poised, and commanding, someone who took great pride in her appearance and carried herself with effortless sophistication. The woman before her now was a stark contrast to that proud, glamorous figure.
"You..." Zara wanted to say so many things, but the words refused to come.
"I know what you are thinking," Gracie said softly as she wheeled herself closer to the bed. "You must be saddened to see me like this, confined to a wheelchair."
Zara blinked, completely taken aback. In all these years, Gracie had never spoken to her with such gentleness. She had always been distant, even harsh. It felt unreal, as though she were watching a scene unfold in a dream.
Under the blanket, Zara pinched herself to check if she was still unconscious. The sting confirmed this was no dream. It was real.
Before Zara could gather herself, Gracie continued, "I made countless mistakes. I trusted the wrong person, poured my love into a poisonous snake, and failed to recognize the true gem before me. This is my punishment."
She gestured weakly at herself. "I hurt you, humiliated you, and never once trusted you. I only blamed you, accused you of mistreating Riya, and never treated you as part of this family."
Zara’s shock deepened. She had never imagined that Gracie would admit her faults. The proud, domineering woman who had always spoken with authority was now filled with regret, laying bare her remorse.
"I always stood by Riya, believing she was my daughter and that, as her mother, it was my duty to protect her," Gracie continued. "Many times, I knew she was in the wrong, that she was falsely accusing you. Yet I still chose her side and scolded you instead."
She let out a bitter scoff. "And fate made me pay for it, reducing me to this state as punishment for my actions."
"Mom, please don’t say that," Zara said softly, trying to stop her.
Gracie dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Don’t interrupt me. I brought this suffering upon myself. Because of my blind trust in Riya, she gained the courage to scheme against us. If I had paid even a little attention, I would have seen her true face sooner. But I chose to ignore your warnings and trust her instead."
She bowed her head in shame, her shoulders trembling as tears fell. "Everything could have been different if I had listened to you. I did catch her red-handed in the end, but it was already too late. I couldn’t even protect myself."
Zara’s heart clenched. No matter how badly Gracie had treated her before, she couldn’t bear to see her like this. Gracie’s sincere remorse washed away the lingering resentment in Zara’s heart.
"When I was in a coma," Gracie went on, "I heard everything Riya said. She plotted right beside my bed, planning to seize the family fortune. I wanted to slap her, to stop her, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t wake up."
The memory still burned painfully within her. "I felt utterly helpless. At that moment, I realized I deserved the pain. All this suffering is because I loved and trusted the wrong person. I put the entire family in danger."
"You didn’t know," Summer said gently. "Riya deceived you. She fooled everyone and toyed with the family’s emotions. You raised her as your own, so of course you loved and trusted her. This isn’t your fault."
"No—it is my fault," Gracie insisted. "I should have been more cautious. I shouldn’t have covered up Riya’s mistakes. I saw the warning signs and still chose to stand by her, even when I knew she was wrong. She..."
Her voice trembled. "I still can’t believe how cruel and heartless she turned out to be. I failed as a mother."
"Mommy, why is Grandma crying?" Zane asked, his little face crumpling with concern.
Gracie quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile. "I’m not crying, silly. I just didn’t sleep well last night, so my eyes are burning."
Zane blinked, unconvinced. "Grandma, that’s not true. Mommy says lying is bad. It’s a bad habit."
Zara stared at him, stunned into silence, her mouth falling open.
Gracie froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Seeing her laugh, Zara felt a wave of relief. At least Gracie wasn’t upset and had taken it in good spirit. Still, she gently scolded, "Zane, you talk too much."
"It’s alright," Gracie said warmly, reaching out to take his hand and pull him closer. "Your mommy is right. Lying is a bad habit. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied."
She smiled softly. "I cried because I was sad."
"Then I’ll give you a kiss," Zane said earnestly, leaning forward and planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Oh, my sweet boy." Gracie cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead. In that instant, the heaviness in her heart dissolved. Knowing her family was safe brought her immense relief. She then looked at Zara, her eyes filled with remorse.
"I neglected you in the past. This time, let me make it up to you. I know I’m bound to this wheelchair now, and it’s difficult for me to even care for myself. Still, I want to do everything for you that I failed to do before."
"You are worrying too much," Zara replied gently. "I’m fine. I can manage on my own. You should focus on recovering."
"You are pregnant, Zara," Gracie interrupted firmly. "You need proper care. I’ve already spoken to the housekeeper. Once you are discharged, we’ll go home together."
Zara pressed her lips together. She hadn’t forgiven Nathaniel yet, and the thought of living under the same roof with him unsettled her. But she didn’t know how to refuse, especially with Zane standing right there. She couldn’t bring herself to mention divorce in front of her son.
’Nathaniel, you are clever,’ she muttered inwardly. ’You deliberately brought them here.’
She knew he had sent his mother and their son to her because he was well aware she wouldn’t be able to turn them away.
’Well played. But I’m not going to give in that easily.’