The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife-Chapter 84: Were Joy Meet Jealousy

About half an hour later, Cassidy gently excused herself from Georgia and made her way back to Claire’s room. Georgia nodded in understanding and gave her a soft smile.

When Cassidy opened the door, she paused.

Claire was awake.

She was sitting up a little more, her pillow propped behind her back, and Zeke was seated beside her. The two of them were whispering to each other, and Claire let out a small giggle, her eyes shining.

Cassidy blinked, surprised not just because Claire was awake again, but because she looked... comfortable. At ease. Especially with Zeke.

Cassidy walked in slowly, a warm smile touching her lips.

"What are you two talking about?" she asked, her tone light. "Looks like you’re having fun."

Claire looked up and grinned. "Uncle Zeke told me a secret."

Zeke chuckled softly, giving Cassidy a brief glance. His expression was unreadable, but softer than usual.

Cassidy raised a brow, amused. "A secret, huh? Should I be worried?"

Claire giggled and shook her head. "No. It’s a good one."

Cassidy walked closer, her heart full, her gaze moving between her daughter and the man beside her.

She tilted her head, smiling playfully.

"So... what’s the secret?"

Claire giggled again, bringing a finger to her lips. "If I tell you, it won’t be a secret anymore."

Cassidy let out a soft laugh. "Fair enough."

She reached out and gently brushed a loose strand of hair from Claire’s forehead.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart? Does anything hurt?"

Claire shook her head. "No. I feel okay."

Cassidy breathed out quietly, a wave of relief washing through her. She looked at Zeke briefly, their eyes meeting for a moment. Grateful. Silent.

Then she turned back to Claire, her voice gentle.

"Are you tired? Do you want to rest a bit more?"

Claire looked thoughtful, then said, "Not yet. I like talking with Uncle Zeke."

Cassidy smiled again.

"Well then... I’ll stay and talk with you both." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Claire perked up and looked at Cassidy with a grin. "Uncle Zeke has a beautiful dog. He showed it to me!"

Cassidy raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, did he?"

Claire nodded eagerly. "It’s white and fluffy, like a big cloud. With a round face and sparkly eyes. Mommy... can we get a dog too?"

Cassidy chuckled softly, brushing her fingers gently along Claire’s arm.

"Having a dog is a big responsibility, sweetheart. We have to take care of it properly. Feed it, take it for walks, play with it... and you’re still little."

Claire’s face fell into a tiny pout. "But I can try..."

Cassidy smiled at her daughter’s expression and leaned in.

"Maybe when you’re a bit older. When you’re big enough to help take care of one, Mommy will get you a dog."

Claire’s eyes lit up. "Promise?"

Cassidy nodded and held up her pinky. "Pinky promise."

Claire giggled and linked her pinky with her mother’s.

Then Zeke chimed in, his voice warm.

"Well, until then... if you ever want to play with a dog, you can come to my place. Rocco would love to see you."

Claire turned to him, wide-eyed. "Really?"

Zeke smiled. "Of course."

"Then I want to visit Uncle Zeke soon!"

Zeke chuckled softly and added, "But... you’ll have to ask your mommy first if you want to come visit."

Claire turned to Cassidy without hesitation, her eyes pleading. "Mommy, can I? Can I go to Uncle Zeke’s house and play with Rocco?"

Cassidy smiled at her daughter’s excitement. "We’ll see, sweetheart. Maybe once you’re feeling much better."

Claire nodded eagerly, already imagining it. "Okay. But don’t forget, Mommy. You promised!"

Zeke leaned closer and whispered playfully,

"Rocco’s going to be so happy when I tell him."

Claire giggled again. "Tell him I said hi!"

"I will," Zeke said with a grin. "And maybe I’ll even bring him a little note from you."

Cassidy watched the exchange, her heart tugging gently at the sight. It surprised her how quickly Zeke had found his way into Claire’s heart.

In such a short time, he had already made her laugh more than Cassidy had seen in days. Claire asked him endless questions—about Rocco, about his house, about what kind of food he liked, even if he knew how to cook pancakes shaped like animals.

And Zeke answered every single one with gentle patience. The corners of his eyes crinkled each time Claire giggled.

Cassidy sat quietly on the chair beside them, watching. Her chest tightened, not in pain, but in something that felt like disbelief. For so long, Zeke had been a distant figure in Claire’s life. Almost nonexistent. And now, here he was. Sitting by her daughter’s side, earning her trust, making her feel safe.

A soft knock on the door pulled their attention.

Cassidy stood from her seat just as the door creaked open, and the sight of the man stepping inside made her breath catch slightly.

Xavier.

The moment Claire saw him, her eyes lit up. Her smile stretched wide across her face, and she nearly sat up in bed if not for Cassidy gently holding her down.

"Uncle Xavi!" she squealed, her voice rising with excitement. "You came!"

Xavier smiled, but there was a beat of hesitation before it reached his eyes. He stepped into the room slowly, taking in the scene before him, Claire glowing with joy, Zeke sitting right beside her, too close, too familiar.

He hadn’t expected this.

Xavier smiled warmly as he stepped into the room. "Of course I did, sweetheart. How could I not?"

But inside, something twisted.

His gaze briefly flicked to Zeke. Their eyes met.

Across the room, Zeke’s entire expression changed.

The warmth he had shown just moments ago disappeared. His jaw tightened. His eyes lost their light.

Moments earlier, he had been soft and steady. Now, he was silent. Heavy. His gaze never left Xavier.

Cassidy noticed it instantly.

Claire, unaware of the change, began chatting excitedly to Xavier about the fluffy white dog, about wanting her own, and the promise Cassidy had made.

Zeke didn’t say a word. He just sat there, watching.

Watching his daughter, so full of joy.

Watched the man she called "Uncle" with such affection.

And still, he didn’t smile.

Not even once.

Behind the quiet laughter in the room, a new tension filled the air. One Cassidy couldn’t ignore. And when she looked at Zeke again...

Something in his eyes had changed.

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