Ravenna

THREE

Nathaniel's POV

I watched Ravenna disappear through the ballroom entrance. For several seconds, I remained where I was, unable to move.

It couldn't be possible.

Ravenna was alive.The woman I had believed was gone forever had just stood in front of me, looking more beautiful, confident, and distant than I had ever seen her.

"Nathaniel!"

Zara's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned to find her approaching, her expression filled with worry.

"What are we going to do now?" she asked.

I frowned."About what?"

She stared at me in disbelief."About my sister! Nathaniel, she's back. What are we going to do now that Ravenna has returned?"

I rubbed my forehead."I don't know, Zara."

"You don't know?"

"What do you expect me to say? I'm just as surprised as you are."

She glanced toward the entrance through which Ravenna had disappeared."She's still your wife, Nathaniel."

"I know."

"And you're still legally married to her."

I looked at Zara. "Do you think I don't know that?"

She fell silent for a moment before speaking again."But what about us? What happens to our engagement? our wedding?"

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Zara, I don't have the answers right now. She's my wife too, and I honestly don't know what we're going to do."

Zara's expression changed. "But you love me, don't you?"

I looked at her without answering immediately."Let's not do this tonight, Zara. I need time to process everything."

She looked away, clearly dissatisfied with my answer. Before she could say anything else, my mother approached us.

"Nathaniel, what is happening?"

I looked at her."What do you mean?"

"That girl! How can she suddenly return after three years and behave as though nothing happened?"

I clenched my jaw. "She's not a girl. She's my wife."

My mother looked surprised by my response. "Your wife? Nathaniel, you cannot be serious. After everything that happened, you should be the last person defending her."

"I'm not defending anyone."

"Then why are you allowing her to embarrass this family?"

I didn't respond.

My mother shook her head. "Zara has done nothing wrong. You should concentrate on your future with her instead of allowing Ravenna to ruin everything."

I looked at Zara. She was standing quietly, waiting for me to say something.

But my thoughts were elsewhere.

There was something about Ravenna's return that didn't make sense.

Three years ago, she had disappeared after the incident. We searched for her, but there was no trace.

Now she had returned with enough money and influence to acquire a major investment in my company.

Who was behind her?

And where had she been all this time?

An Hour Later

I arrived at my penthouse much later than I had planned. I loosened my tie and dropped my car keys on the console table before walking into the living room.

My phone had been ringing continuously. I ignored most of the calls, but one message caught my attention.

It was from my secretary.

Sir, the board members have requested an urgent meeting tomorrow morning concerning the new shareholder. They would also like to know whether you have any information about her.

I stared at the message.

The new shareholder.

Ravenna.

I opened my contact list and searched for her number. It was still there.

For a moment, I hesitated before pressing the call button.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The phone rang several times. I was about to end the call when someone finally answered.

"Hello?"

I immediately straightened.

It was a man's voice. I glanced at the screen to confirm I had dialled the right number.

"Who is this?" I asked.

There was a brief silence. "Who are you looking for?"

"Ravenna. Is she there?"

"Sorry, you've got the wrong number."

Before I could ask another question, the call ended. I stared at my phone.

Wrong number?

I checked the digits again. There was no mistake. That was Ravenna's number, the same one I had saved since we got married.

I called again.

This time, the call went unanswered.

I lowered my phone slowly.

Who was that man?

I leaned back against the sofa, my jaw tightening.

Had she changed her number and someone else was now using her old one? Or was there something I didn't know?.