Nathaniel froze, shock coursing through him. All this time, he had believed Zara hadn't recognized Jaxon because of the drug's effect.
He remembered how she had recoiled from him, her own husband, unable to even register his presence. He had assumed her mind was too clouded to identify anyone. But now he realized she had known exactly who had pushed her into that nightmare.
"I started feeling strange after the champagne," Zara went on quietly. "I went to the bathroom, thinking I could calm myself, maybe ease the heat in my body. But it only got worse. That's when I knew… something was wrong with the drink."
A shudder rippled through her as dread filled her chest. If Nathaniel hadn't arrived at that moment, she didn't dare imagine what might have happened.
"I just wanted to leave," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But the moment I stepped out of the restroom, he was there. He blocked me, ignored my protests, and dragged me into a room."
