Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 49: The distrust

Gracie’s hands trembled as she gently brushed her fingers on the fiery red imprint marring Riya’s cheek. Her heart clenched at the sight. "Does it hurt?"

Riya gave a small nod, her lower lip trembling.

Gracie turned her furious gaze on Zara. "Have you lost your mind?" she demanded, her voice rising with rage. "You hit her? She is the daughter of this family, the apple of our eye. How dare you lay a hand on her?"

Zara let out a dry, scornful laugh as she crossed her arms and met Gracie’s gaze head-on.

"Seems like the family’s blind affection has spoiled her so much that she doesn’t even know where the line is anymore. She doesn’t know how to behave," Zara replied coldly. "If no one else will correct her, I will. I gave her the lesson she deserved. I hope you won’t mind."

Gracie blinked, taken aback. This wasn’t the same Zara she had known for years. The quiet, composed woman who kept her head down and never spoke back had disappeared into the shadows. This Zara stood her ground with unwavering fire in her eyes, unbending in the face of confrontation.

"You..." Gracie’s voice faltered, stunned by the transformation. She felt her authority challenged for the first time. She suddenly couldn’t understand how to deal with this defiant Zara.

"You have no right to school her," she finally snapped, regaining her voice. "She has elders. We’ll deal with her if needed. But you don’t raise a hand on her." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"As her elder brother’s wife, I am her elder in this family," Zara replied evenly with a cold resolve. As she turned back to Riya, her face twisted. "And I won’t hesitate to do it again if she dares cross the line."

"Zara..." Gracie warned.

But Zara had already turned and walked away, her head held high and her crutch tapping against the floor. She didn’t look back, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.

Behind her, Gracie and Riya stood frozen—one fuming, the other seething behind a veil of crocodile tears.

Gracie’s lips tightened with frustration as she watched Zara’s retreating form. "Look at her," she muttered under her breath. "She doesn’t even respect me."

Beside her, Riya sniffled and clutched at her sleeve. "Mom, you have seen how she acts. She doesn’t care that you and Grandma are here, so you can guess how she treats me when no one is around. I feel unsafe. I’m scared she is going to hurt me again."

Gracie pulled Riya into a hug. "Don’t worry, I’m here now. I won’t let her hurt you."

Riya nestled into her arms, a shadow of a smile flickering at the corners of her lips. She knew her mother wouldn’t let this go. Gracie always acted when she felt disrespected, and Riya was counting on it.

"That’s enough, both of you." Paulina’s voice rang out. "Riya, I’ve told you before—you need to show Zara some respect. She is your sister-in-law."

Riya’s expression crumpled. "I didn’t do anything," she protested. "She doesn’t even like me. She treats me like I don’t belong—like I’m just some intruder in this family."

Paulina gave her a sharp look. "And you expect me to believe Zara slapped you for no reason? Just out of the blue? I wasn’t born yesterday."

Riya’s eyes stung. She hated how Paulina always defended Zara. No matter what Riya said, the old woman never believed her.

"I only asked her why Nathaniel has been so withdrawn lately," Riya said, struggling to hold back tears. "I was just concerned. I asked if everything was okay between them, and she snapped. She slapped me."

"That’s between them," Paulina said coolly. "Their marriage is none of your business. You should have stayed out of it."

Riya bit her lip, humiliated and furious. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.

Gracie’s chest tightened as she watched Riya crying. "Mom, she is just worried about Nathaniel." She tried to defend her daughter. "She only wanted to—"

"Enough." Paulina silenced her sharply. "Nathaniel’s life is none of Riya’s concern. She should know her place. But clearly, you have spoiled her so much she has forgotten where her limits are."

Gracie flinched under her cold, contemptuous glare. If looks could wound, she would have been bleeding, shredded by the force of Paulina’s glare.

Turning to Riya, she said in a coaxing tone, "Go to your room, sweetheart."

Riya stood still for a moment, trembling with anger. Her face was pale. The old woman had stripped her of her dignity. The humiliation burned in her chest. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but she held herself back. Pride bruised and heart churning with rage, Riya turned stiffly and walked away.

Gracie stared after Riya, worry etched deep into her features. Once the girl vanished into her room and the door clicked shut, she turned back to Paulina.

"Mom," she began carefully, "why do I feel like you are upset with Riya? Did she say something that offended you? If she did, I’m sorry. You know how she can be—impulsive, emotional. I’ll talk to her."

Paulina’s frown deepened, her disapproval clear. She didn’t hide it. "Your love for Riya has blinded you, Gracie. You refuse to see her faults." With a weary shake of her head, she eased herself into the sofa. "You need to open your eyes. Stop giving her a free pass. Not everyone deserves blind trust."

Gracie hesitated, then sat beside her, trying to understand why Paulina was upset with Riya. "She is young, Mom. Immature. She doesn’t always think before she acts. If she crossed a line, please let it go."

Paulina exhaled sharply, her gaze distant but heavy. She hadn’t been directly wronged by Riya, but something didn’t sit right. It wasn’t a matter of proof. It was instinct, an intuition sharpened by age and long observation.

"Listen to me," she said carefully. "You need to watch closely when it comes to Riya and Nathaniel. Don’t forget—they are not related by blood. One wrong step could turn into a disaster."

Gracie’s breath caught in her throat. Her chest tightened, a sick churn rising in her stomach. She wasn’t naïve. She understood exactly what Paulina was insinuating. "Nathaniel treats her like his own sister. How can you even suggest—?"

"I’m not questioning Nathaniel," Paulina interrupted firmly. "He is a sensible man. I trust him. But Riya?" She shook her head slowly. "I’m not so sure."

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