Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 298: Give him a chance

Chapter 298: Give him a chance
As the day of the party drew closer, preparations were in full swing. The Grant mansion buzzed with activity as servants moved about, cleaning and decorating every corner. The old drapes were replaced, fresh paintings adorned the walls, and the lighting throughout the house was completely revamped.
The event planner had already arrived and begun setting up the hall. When Zara reached the mansion, she spotted Gracie speaking with a woman nearby.
Gracie smiled the moment she noticed her. "Zara, you are here. I thought you’d be busy at work."
"I asked Bree to take care of things," Zara replied as she joined her. "I wanted to check on the party arrangements."
"I’ve been walking all over the house giving instructions," Gracie said with a tired sigh. "It’s exhausting. I’m glad you came. Let me introduce you." She gestured toward the woman beside her. "This is Sonia, the event planner."
"Hello," Zara greeted politely.
"This is my daughter-in-law," Gracie added.
"Nice to meet you," Sonia said with a nod. She handed Zara a thick folder. "These are some theme ideas for the party."
Inside were photographs from the elegant events she had previously organized.
"I was showing Madam Gracie these. Please take a look and tell me which theme you prefer."
"Mom, which one do you like?" Zara asked, offering the folder to Gracie.
"I can’t decide," Gracie waved it off as she slowly made her way to the sofa, leaning on her walking stick, her left leg dragging slightly. "Since you are here, I’ll rest for a bit. You pick whatever you think is best."
She eased herself onto the sofa, her face tightening in discomfort. "My leg is hurting badly."
"Alright, you rest," Zara said gently. "I’ll handle everything."
Zara turned her attention back to the folder in her hands. After browsing through it for a while, she grew more confused as she couldn’t decide what to choose.
"I want something simple yet tasteful. The atmosphere should be serene and relaxing—no loud music, no heavy drinking, nothing overly flashy."
She flipped through the photographs again, a faint crease forming between her brows. "I’m still not sure which one to pick."
"I understand," Sonia said after a moment’s thought. "You are aiming for something elegant and peaceful." She turned a few pages and stopped at a particular photo, tapping it lightly.
"How about this theme? We once used it for a couple celebrating their golden anniversary. The entire décor was based on white—white flowers, soft drapes, gentle lighting, even the tablecloths and chair covers followed the same tone."
Zara examined the picture more carefully. At first, it appeared almost too simple, even subdued. But the longer she looked, the more its understated beauty revealed itself.
"We can customize it further," Sonia continued. "You can choose the flowers you like—lilies, roses, or a subtle mix with pastel shades. We can add touches of gold or silver, crystal candle stands, or fairy lights to create a soft, romantic glow. If you’d like a hint of color, blush, ivory, or champagne tones would blend beautifully."
As Sonia spoke, the scene began to take shape in Zara’s mind.
"The music can be soft and instrumental," Sonia added, growing more animated. "We’ll keep the overall feel warm and intimate."
Zara nodded, clarity settling in her mind. "Yes... That’s exactly what I want. I want people to remember it as a celebration of love, years together, not extravagance."
Sonia smiled broadly. "Then it’s decided. We’ll go with this theme. Let me know if there is anything else you’d like to add."
"Alright," Zara replied.
Sonia walked away, calling out to her team and immediately getting to work.
Zara stood quietly, her gaze roaming around the mansion as she searched for any sign of Nathaniel. But he wasn’t there. She had come here with a faint hope of seeing him.
With the party only days away, she had assumed he would be around, overseeing the arrangements. Not seeing him anywhere left her feeling faintly let down.
"Where is everyone?" she asked as she walked up to Gracie. "I can’t see anyone."
Event Zane and Patricia weren’t around. It surprised her.
"They all went out shopping," Gracie replied. "Vincent went to the farmhouse. He said he wants to serve wine from his own vineyard at the party."
Gracie shook her head with a helpless chuckle. "He seems even more excited than I am."
Zara smiled at that. "He should be. Thirty-five years together is no small thing. Just thinking about it excites me too. Of course, it deserves a grand celebration."
"We’ve tolerated each other for thirty-five years," Gracie said with a teasing smile. "We argued, ignored each other, even kept our distance just to avoid more fights. But we never broke our loyalty. We may disagree, but we respect one another and always put this family first."
She looked at Zara earnestly. "I believe you and Nathaniel can do the same. Set aside your differences. Give yourselves and him a chance to begin again."
Her gaze softened, almost pleading. "I know he has made mistakes. But I also know you both still love each other. Trust that love and take him back. And if you truly feel you can’t stay with him, you are free to leave. I’ll stand by you either way. Even if you divorce him, you will always be a part of this family."
Zara’s heart melted, warmth spreading through her chest. There was a time when Gracie had spoken to her coldly, yet now she treated her with the affection of a daughter. The realization stirred something deep within Zara, leaving her overwhelmed. It felt as though she had found her mother again after so many years.
"Thank you," she whispered, her throat tightening with emotion.
She had already made up her mind to let go of the bitterness of the past and move forward. Keeping her distance from Nathaniel had brought her nothing but pain. She longed to see him, talk to him.
The sound of footsteps near the entrance broke her thoughts. She turned just in time to see Zane walking in with Paulina, the driver following behind them, arms weighed down with shopping bags.
The moment Zane spotted her, his face brightened, a joyful grin spreading across his lips. "Mommy..." He ran toward her and wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Careful," Gracie cautioned gently. "A baby is growing inside your mommy’s tummy."
Zane froze and immediately loosened his hold, his eyes dropping to Zara’s slightly rounded belly. "I’m sorry, Mommy. Did I hurt you?"
"No, sweetheart," Zara smiled, taking his small hands in hers. "You didn’t. But you do need to be more careful from now on."
"I understand," Zane nodded seriously. "I’ll be careful, Mommy."
"Yes, you must," Paulina added as she settled onto the sofa. "Mommy’s tummy will grow bigger, and you can’t run into her like that."
"I’m a big boy now," Zane declared proudly. "I’ll protect my mommy."
Laughter filled the room.
Zara’s eyes shimmered as tears threatened to spill. As she looked at her son, her chest tightened with emotion.
’He is growing up,’ she thought, her heart swelling. ’So protective already.’
"Alright, that’s enough laughter," Paulina said. "Let’s see what we bought."
She reached into one of the shopping bags, took out a jewelry box, and handed it to Gracie. "This is for you—my anniversary gift."
"Oh, Mom... you really didn’t have to," Gracie said, but she couldn’t stop the excitement creeping into her heart as she took the box. She wondered what her mother-in-law bought for her.
"Let me spoil you," Paulina laughed. "It’s a special occasion. Watching you stand by my son through all these years has been truly moving. I don’t know if I’ll be here to see another anniversary, so this year, I want to celebrate it to the fullest."
"Don’t say that," Gracie interrupted at once. "You’ll live a long life and witness many more anniversaries."
"Yes, Grandma," Zara added softly. "You still have to see my children grow up and celebrate their birthdays."
"Alright, alright," Paulina waved them off. "I won’t say anything gloomy." She nodded toward the box in Gracie’s hands. "Now go on—open it and tell me if you like it."
Gracie beamed as she lifted the lid. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw the necklace inside, blue diamonds shimmering under the light. "Oh my... it’s stunning," she exclaimed, gently brushing her fingers over the gems. "Thank you so much. I absolutely love it."
Paulina let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Good. Otherwise, with that grumpy temper of yours, poor Vincent would’ve been in trouble."
Gracie’s smile faltered.
Across them, Zara pressed her lips together, barely holding back her laughter.
"Mom," Gracie protested with a pout. "I never trouble Vincent. It’s him—he keeps leaving me again and again, calling it ’business trips’ or ’checking the vineyards.’ No wonder I turned grumpy."
"Alright, alright," Patricia lifted her hands in surrender. "I won’t say another word. Let’s take a look at the rest of what we bought."
She picked up a large shopping bag and handed it to Zara. "This one is for you."
"For me?" Zara’s face brightened instantly. Curiosity and excitement fluttered in her chest as she opened the bag.
Inside lay a dress, its silver fabric gleaming. She drew it out slowly, and the smooth, silky material slid through her fingers.
Before she could speak, Zane piped up eagerly, "Daddy chose it for you. He said you’d look really beautiful wearing it."
Zara’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Nathaniel.