The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 41: A Surprise Meeting with Ex-Mother-in-Law

Chapter 41: A Surprise Meeting with Ex-Mother-in-Law

Cass shifted the phone from her right ear to her left, sighing softly. "So... where’s the party? What time?"

Georgia hesitated. "He didn’t say. Just that Elise misses you. I forgot to ask the rest, maybe he’ll call again."

Cass went quiet.

On the other end, Georgia’s voice turned curious. "Are you going?"

Cass leaned her head against the window. "I don’t know."

"You should think it through," Georgia said gently. "You know he’ll be there. And... Zeke spent years trying to find you."

Cass closed her eyes for a second. "Yeah. That’s what I’ve been thinking about too."

She paused, then added, "I just don’t get it. Why he kept looking."

"I told you all the time," Georgia said on the other end, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "Maybe Zeke did fall in love with you. Maybe he realized it when you left."

Cass didn’t flinch. They’d had this conversation before. Many times, actually. And every time, she still wasn’t convinced.

"I don’t think so," she said softly. "We barely spent time together when we were married. He was always working, always distant, like I was just someone he lived with, not his wife. There was never anything to make me think he felt more than that. So how could that suddenly change now?"

Georgia didn’t miss a beat. "If it wasn’t feelings, then why do you think he went after you like that?"

Cass stayed silent for a moment, watching the passing buildings through the taxi window.

"I don’t know, honestly", she admitted. "Zeke’s hard to figure out. Maybe he was just curious. Or felt guilty. But that was two years ago. He stopped looking. Maybe he’s realized it wasn’t worth it."

"Maybe," Georgia replied softly. "But maybe not."

***

In the quiet of his study at the villa, Zeke sat in front of the wide window, the afternoon light pouring over the dark wood of his desk. For a long moment, he simply stared, deep in thought, until finally, he picked up his phone and called Charlotte.

"Hello, Mr. Zeke," she answered warmly.

"Loraine," he said, voice low but steady. "Could you put grandma on the phone? I’d like to talk to her."

"One moment," she replied. He could hear the soft creak of floorboards as she walked.

A minute later, Elise’s familiar voice came through the line. "Zeke?"

"Hi, Grandma. How are you feeling?"

Elise chuckled softly. "I’m well, sweetheart. And you? Are you doing okay?"

"I’m alright," he said. "I was thinking... your birthday’s this weekend. I’d like to celebrate it."

"Oh, Zeke," Elise sighed. "We’ve been over this. I don’t want a fuss. I’m almost eighty, not seven."

He chuckled softly. "Exactly why we should celebrate. We can keep it simple, just family and close friends. Intimate. Nothing that’ll tire you out."

There was a pause before Elise finally gave in. "Alright. But no surprise mariachi bands this time."

"No bands," Zeke promised. "But I do have a surprise."

"Of course you do," she said dryly. "You always do."

"I think you’ll like this one," he said, then added with a smile, "Just trust me."

They exchanged a few more warm words before hanging up.

Once the call ended, Zeke set his phone down, ran a hand through his hair, and allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

He thought back to his phone call with Georgia earlier that afternoon. After learning about Cassidy’s whereabouts from Andrew, Zeke had spent nearly an hour in silence, working through the best way to approach her without spooking her.

That’s when it hit him. Elise’s birthday.

Back when they were married, Cassidy had been close with Elise. Zeke remembered that clearly. So this... this could be his opening.

He wasn’t certain she’d show up. But he was betting on the bond between Cassidy and Elise.

So he called Georgia with a carefully crafted message: he wanted to invite Cassidy for Elise’s birthday. And if needed, he added, "Elise misses her."

Now, all that was left was to wait.

***

Cassidy and Claire stood in front of the arrival gate.

Claire looked around, her eyes curious as people passed by in every direction. "So many people," she mumbled.

Cass gave a small smile. "Airports are always busy."

Claire leaned closer. "Do you think Grandma Clara’s plane already landed?"

"Should be any minute now," Cass replied, eyes fixed on the doors ahead.

It didn’t take long before Clara appeared through the arrival gate, pulling a large suitcase behind her. She looked around, scanning the crowd.

Claire’s eyes lit up. "Grandma Clara! Over here!" she shouted, waving excitedly.

Clara’s face broke into a wide smile as she spotted them. She walked toward them, and before she could say a word, Claire dashed forward and threw her arms around her.

"I missed you, Grandma Clara," Claire said, her voice muffled against Clara’s coat.

"Oh, sweetheart," Clara hugged her back tightly. "I missed you too."

Cass walked up to them, her expression soft. She wrapped her arms around Clara in a brief hug. "Thank you," she murmured.

Clara gave her a knowing look as she returned the embrace. "Always."

They made their way to the airport parking lot. Cassidy had arranged for a rented van ahead of time, knowing her new car wouldn’t be delivered until tomorrow due to paperwork delays.

Once they reached the van, Cassidy suddenly paused, her hand already on the door handle.

"I need to run to the restroom," she said, turning to Clara. "Would you mind watching Claire for a few minutes?"

"Of course, don’t worry," Clara replied warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Claire’s shoulder.

Cassidy knelt down in front of her daughter. "Be a good girl, okay? Listen to Grandma Clara. I’ll be right back."

Claire nodded seriously. "Okay, Mommy."

Cass smiled, brushed a strand of hair from Claire’s forehead, then stood and walked off toward the terminal.

Cassidy had just stepped out of the restroom and was making her way through the terminal when she suddenly slowed her pace.

Up ahead, a woman stood out sharply from the passing crowd. A poised, well-dressed woman in a deep navy suit and dark sunglasses, surrounded by several men in black suits. She looked like someone important, mid-conversation, giving calm directions as they walked.

Cassidy was about to keep moving when the woman suddenly turned her head.

Their eyes met.

The woman stopped walking.

She said something quietly to the man beside her, then handed over the file she was holding. And without taking her eyes off Cassidy, she started walking over.

Cassidy felt her pulse shift. Her posture straightened instinctively.

When the woman finally stopped in front of her, she removed her sunglasses with elegant precision. Her eyes, sharp and unreadable, softened slightly.

"Well," the woman said, her voice smooth. "Cassidy. What a surprise."

Cassidy managed a faint smile. "Hello, Margaret."

Standing before her, poised as ever, was Margaret Salvador.

Zeke’s mother. Her ex-mother-in-law.

Margaret had always been the kind of woman who was ambitious, independent, and always busy. When Cassidy was still married to Zeke, they rarely saw each other. Margaret was focused on running her father’s company and helping with the Salvador Group’s branches. Family time just wasn’t her thing.

That was part of the reason they were never close. But to be honest, Margaret had never been overbearing. She never tried to control their relationship or tell Cassidy what to do. She just stayed out of it, for better or worse.

Now, standing face to face again after years, Margaret studied Cassidy for a moment before asking, "Are you just arriving, or heading out? Or something else?"

Cassidy shook her head lightly. "No, I already picked someone up. Just stepped away for a minute."

Margaret nodded. "How have you been?"

"I’m doing well," Cassidy replied, keeping her voice neutral.

Margaret exhaled slowly, then said, "I’m sorry I was always so caught up with work. I know I wasn’t around much when I was your mother-in-law."

Cassidy shook her head. "It’s alright. You were always kind to me."

Margaret gave a small smile, but there was a hint of regret in her eyes. "Still, I do regret that things between you and Zeke ended the way they did."

Cassidy didn’t say anything this time. She just stood there, quiet.

Margaret glanced away, then looked back.

"Anyway, I won’t keep you. It’s good to see you again."

"You too," Cassidy replied.

With a small nod, Margaret turned and walked away, her usual group trailing behind her. Same as ever. Calm, sharp, and completely in control.

Once Margaret was far enough from Cassidy, she pulled her phone from her coat pocket and dialed a number, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

The line picked up. "What?"

"Guess who I just ran into," she said, teasing.

"I don’t have time for your guessing games. I’m hanging up."

"Don’t you dare," Margaret snapped, her tone instantly sharper. "You cold-hearted boy."

Zeke sighed. "Just say what you want to say, Mom."

"You’re no fun," she muttered. Then, with a glint of satisfaction in her voice, she added, "I saw Cassidy. At the airport. Just now."

There was a pause.

Zeke’s voice, suddenly sharper, came through the line. "What?"

***