Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 305: The end of the game

As Nathaniel took a step forward, Zachary barked, "Don’t move."

Nathaniel froze, his muscles locking. Every instinct screamed at him to charge ahead, to knock Zachary down and pull Zara into his arms, to shield her from harm. But the sight of the gun aimed at her rooted him in place. He couldn’t afford a single reckless move.

For now, all he could do was wait. He needed to keep Zachary occupied until help arrived.

"Kneel," Zachary ordered.

Zara’s heart plunged. She understood immediately that Zachary wanted to humiliate Nathaniel, to destroy his pride, play with his emotions, and break him piece by piece. Desperately, she shook her head, silently begging Nathaniel to refuse.

But he dropped to his knees without a moment’s hesitation.

Her chest constricted at the sight. Seeing him helpless, forced into submission, hurt more than she could bear.

Zachary sneered. "Hah. This is going to be entertaining."

He flung a knife toward Nathaniel. "Let’s see how deep your love runs. Would you do anything for her? Even spill your own blood?"

Zara’s face drained of color. "No—Nathaniel, don’t. You won’t hurt yourself."

"This is madness," Gracie cried out. "Stop this right now. We’ll give you whatever you want. Just leave us alone."

"I’m a Grant, too," Zachary snapped back. "I share the same blood as this family. But you cast me aside like I was nothing. I only wanted what was rightfully mine, yet you never treated me fairly. You took everything, the entire estate, the business, and tossed me a measly ten percent before disowning me."

His anger surged, barely contained. "When I fought for what I deserved, you refused to give anything to me. And now, when I want nothing from you, you are suddenly willing to give up everything? How laughable."

His expression turned icy. "What use are those properties now? You’ve already ruined me. The police are after me. The don is waiting outside to put a bullet in my head. And whose fault is that? Yours. Every single one of you."

Hatred burned his chest. "I won’t spare anyone."

Then his gaze moved back to Nathaniel. "Pick up the knife," he ordered coldly. "Stab yourself in the heart. Let me see what kind of heart you have. Is it as cold as ice? Or made of steel."

Nathaniel’s eyes dropped to the blade before lifting to Zara’s tear-filled face. Pain ripped through his chest at the sight of her crying. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

Slowly, he reached for the knife.

"Nathaniel, no..." Zara cried out. "You can’t be serious."

"If you refuse," Zachary warned flatly, "I’ll shoot her in the leg."

Nathaniel’s fingers tightened around the handle, his jaw set hard. "Don’t be scared, Zara. Everything will be fine."

With clenched teeth, he drove the knife into his chest.

"Ahh—" Zara screamed.

Zane clung to Gracie’s legs, burying his face against her.

Blood poured down Nathaniel’s chest, soaking his white shirt. His breaths came in ragged, uneven gasps, his hand trembling violently as he fought through the searing pain.

"Stop this—please," Zara cried desperately. "Don’t hurt him."

"The fun has only just started," Zachary scoffed with a cruel smile. "Why would I stop now?"

He reached into his pocket and produced a small remote. "I planted a bomb in this hall. One press, and everything goes up in flames."

A wave of shock rippled through the room. Gracie and Vincent exchanged terrified glances.

Nathaniel winced as he scanned the hall. He caught sight of guards in black quietly slipping in through the rear entrance. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for had finally come. Just a little more time, and Zachary’s game would finally end.

He had to keep him talking.

"You won’t do it," Nathaniel said hoarsely. "If you press that button, you’ll die too."

Zachary let out a mocking laugh. "Do you really think I’m afraid of death now? I’ve already accepted it. I know I won’t make it out alive. But I’ll make sure none of you do either."

"You don’t have to go this far," Nathaniel persuaded. "I’ll help you. I’ll return your properties and the company. I’ll withdraw the charges and clear your name. Just let my family go."

Zachary laughed again, louder this time. "Nathaniel, Nathaniel—you are almost endearing. You really do love your family." He paused, then nodded slowly. "Fine. I might consider sparing them."

His gaze darkened. "But only if you trade your life for theirs."

"Cut your wrist," he ordered coldly. "Prove you are willing to die for them. Do that, and I’ll let them go."

Zara shook her head wildly, tears streaming down her face. "Don’t listen to him. He won’t keep his promise. He is provoking you."

"Very well," Zachary said casually. "Then I’ll press the button."

"Wait," Nathaniel shouted, panic flashing through him. He couldn’t risk it. One wrong move could wipe out everyone he loved.

Nathaniel’s gaze flicked toward the guards. They lingered at the edges, hesitant to advance—and he understood why. As long as Zara remained in Zachary’s grip, no one would dare move.

He desperately wanted to pull her out of danger himself, but the risk was too great. A single miscalculation, and she would be dead. If sacrificing himself could force the guards into action, then so be it.

"Alright," Nathaniel said hoarsely. "I’ll do it."

His fingers tightened around the knife as he positioned it against his left wrist.

Zara’s breath hitched in terror. He had already stabbed himself. He was bleeding so much, his strength visibly fading. If he cut his wrist now, he would die. The thought of losing him shattered her composure.

Just as Nathaniel was about to slice his skin, Zara acted.

She grabbed the wrist holding the gun and shoved it away from her body. The sudden resistance caught Zachary off guard. His finger jerked, squeezing the trigger.

A deafening gunshot echoed through the hall.

Zara’s heart pounded violently, but she refused to give up. Fear only fueled her resolve. Gathering every ounce of strength, she slammed her elbow into him.

Zachary recoiled and staggered back, his hold loosening.

Zara didn’t waste another second. She shoved him aside and sprinted toward Nathaniel.

The moment he saw her free, Nathaniel let the knife fall and forced himself upright despite the pain tearing through his body. He moved toward her just as she collided with him, burying herself in his arms.

Realizing Zara had escaped, Zachary roared in rage and raised his gun to fire. But he was late.

The guards opened fire. Bullets tore through him, dropping his body to the ground.

Zara trembled uncontrollably in Nathaniel’s arms, clinging to him as though letting go would shatter her. When the echoes of gunfire finally faded, she heard his weak whisper near her ear.

"It’s over... You are safe now."

She turned her head and looked behind her. Zachary lay sprawled on the floor, motionless, blood pooling beneath him. The nightmare was finally over. The guards had ended it.

Relief washed over her, but it lasted only a heartbeat.

Suddenly, Nathaniel’s body slackened in her arms.

Her chest seized in panic when she saw his eyelids flutter shut.

"Nathaniel," she cried.

He couldn’t respond. Darkness overtook him as he lost consciousness.

A broken sob tore from her throat.

"Someone, help," she screamed. "Call an ambulance..."

Vincent rushed toward them but paused as he gazed at Nathaniel’s blood-soaked body. "Guards," he shouted urgently. "Take him to the hospital. Now."

Two guards hurried over, lifting Nathaniel with care before rushing out. Zara followed close behind.

As they exited the house, Vincent turned back to Gracie. "Are you alright?" he asked anxiously. "And Zane?"

His focus went to the boy clinging to Gracie.

"We are fine," Gracie replied, still shaking from fear. "You should go with Zara."

Vincent nodded. "Take care of yourself and Zane." Then he frowned. "Where is Mom?"

Only then did he notice the elderly woman lying a short distance away, blood spreading across the floor beneath her.

"Mom," Vincent shouted.

He broke into a run and collapsed beside her. "No... no..."

The gunshot wound in her chest and the blood seeping from it filled him with dread. Deep down, he knew she was already gone, but his heart refused to accept the truth.

Sobs shook Vincent’s shoulders as he knelt there.

"Oh my God..." Gracie whispered in shock. "How did this happen?"

She had been so overwhelmed by fear that she hadn’t looked anywhere else. Her entire focus had been on Zara and Nathaniel. She hadn’t even thought to check on the old woman. Now, staring at her lifeless body, guilt stabbed straight through her heart. If only she had been more attentive—maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

"Mom, I’m sorry," Vincent cried, his voice breaking. Remorse flooded him as he blamed himself for failing to protect her. "I should have made sure you were safe. I should have been watching you. I failed you."

Gracie’s heart ached as well, but she knew nothing could undo what had already occurred.

"Vincent..." she called softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She is gone. We can’t change that now. But Nathaniel still needs us."

Vincent nodded slowly. He had already lost his mother—he couldn’t bear to lose his son too.

"I’m going to the hospital," he whispered.

Forcing himself to his feet, he wiped away his tears and walked out, his steps heavy with grief.