The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 43: Smart Like Her Father

Chapter 43: Smart Like Her Father

Cassidy, Clara, and Claire finally arrived at their new apartment. After unlocking the door, Cassidy led Clara on a brief tour of the place, showing her around the living room, kitchen, and the guest room that Clara would be staying in.

"This is lovely," Clara said with a smile as she stepped into the room. "I love the light in here. And the view’s not bad either."

Cassidy chuckled. "Glad you like it. If anything feels off, we can always rearrange things."

Clara shook her head. "No need. It’s perfect."

Cass had chosen this apartment carefully. She’d originally considered buying a villa on the outskirts of the city, something more secluded. But with her mother still in the hospital, she needed to be nearby. The apartment was just fifteen minutes away from the hospital, and that convenience outweighed everything else.

She didn’t know how long they’d stay in the city but for now, this place would be their home.

After settling in a bit, Cassidy invited Claire to help unpack the shopping bags they hadn’t touched since their trip to the mall yesterday.

Inside the walk-in closet, one they would now share, Cass carefully hung up Claire’s new dresses while the little girl tried to organize her shoes by color.

Suddenly, a ringtone echoed from the living room.

Cassidy glanced up. "That’s my phone."

But before she could move, Claire quickly stopped her. "I’ll get it!" she chirped, already dashing off with her tiny feet pattering across the floor.

Moments later, Claire returned proudly, holding out the phone with both hands like a precious treasure.

Cass smiled and took it. "Thank you, sweetheart."

She glanced at the screen, and a small grin curved her lips. "It’s Uncle Xavi. He’s video calling."

Claire’s eyes lit up. She scrambled closer, bouncing on her toes with excitement.

"Answer it, Mommy!" she squealed.

Cass chuckled and swiped to accept the call.

Xavier’s face lit up on the screen, the background showing what looked like a bustling kitchen.

"Hey, Cass. How are you guys doing?" he asked, voice warm despite the fatigue in his eyes.

Cassidy, still standing near the walk-in closet with a shirt draped over her arm, smiled. "We’re good. Just settling in. Still a bit of a mess, but we’re fine."

Xavier nodded. "Glad to hear that."

Cass shifted slightly, adjusting her stance. "What about you? How’s work?"

He let out a breath. "Hectic, as usual. I’ve been training the kitchen staff non-stop. Trying to get everyone up to speed on the new menu before I leave. Can’t risk losing our Michelin star, right?"

Cassidy gave a soft laugh. "No pressure at all."

Just then, Claire tugged gently at her mother’s side. "Mommy, can I talk to Uncle Xavi?"

Xavier’s face brightened. "Was that Claire? Come here, sweetheart!"

Cass looked down, smiling. "Someone missed you."

She handed the phone to Claire, who eagerly took it and dropped down to the floor, legs crossed.

"Hi Uncle Xavi!" Claire beamed. "I have new shoes and a blue dress!"

Xavier laughed. "That sounds amazing! You have to show me now!"

Claire got up and pointing at a blue dress hanging neatly on the rack. "Look! That’s the one I was talking about."

She glanced back at the screen. "I’ll wear it when you’re here."

Xavier laughed. "Is that a promise?"

Claire nodded. "Yep! But... when are you coming here?"

Xavier gave a sheepish smile. "Soon. As soon as I can, sweetheart."

Cassidy watched the exchange with a soft smile, folding a blouse nearby.

Xavier smiled at the screen. "So, tell me what did you do today, Claire Bear?"

"Today we picked up Grandma Clara at the airport."

"Oh yeah?" Xavier asked. "How was that?"

Claire lit up. "It was fun! There were so many people at the airport. And I saw a plane flying really close in the sky!"

Xavier laughed. "Wow, that must’ve been cool to see."

Claire nodded proudly, her ponytail bouncing with the motion. And then leaned closer to the screen. "Uncle Xavi, don’t forget you promised to bake cookies with me when you come."

"Of course I remember," Xavier said, pretending to be serious. "You want chocolate chip, right?"

Claire beamed. "Yes!"

Cassidy stepped beside her daughter. "Alright, time to say goodbye. Uncle Xavi has to get back to work."

Xavier nodded. "I do. But I’ll call again soon, okay?"

"Okay!" Claire waved. "Bye, Uncle Xavi!"

"Bye, sweetheart. Bye, Cass."

Cass smiled. "Take care, Xavier."

The screen went dark, and the room fell into a comfortable silence.

***

That night, the kitchen smelled of something warm and delicious. Clara was busy cooking dinner, and right beside her was Claire, wearing a too-big apron and determined to be her little sous chef. She insisted on helping, even if it meant only stirring with her tiny hands.

From the living room, Cassidy could hear their voices drifting in.

"Grandma Clara, I’m the boss chef now," Claire declared proudly. "You’re my helper."

Clara chuckled. "Oh really? When did that happen?"

"Just now. I decided."

Cassidy smiled to herself, already imagining Clara’s amused expression.

"Okay, Boss Chef," Clara played along. "What’s next?"

Claire looked very serious. "We stir... with love. That’s what Uncle Xavi says."

"And do we add anything else?" Clara teased.

Claire nodded confidently. "Yes. We add magic. But not too much, or it will explode."

Clara laughed. "Well, we don’t want dinner to explode, do we?"

"Nope," Claire said, popping the ’p’. "Mommy said no more exploding things in the kitchen."

In the living room, Cassidy bit back a laugh, shaking her head. "I said that once," she muttered under her breath, amused.

Cassidy sat cross-legged on the couch, her laptop on the coffee table. The screen displayed several preschool websites around New York. Claire was at the age now old enough to start preschool. Cass had been thinking about it seriously. Claire was smart, curious, and creative. She knew her daughter would thrive in a space where she could learn and play with kids her age.

But still... she wouldn’t decide without asking Claire first. If Claire wasn’t ready, she wouldn’t push it.

"Claire?" Cassidy called from the living room.

From the kitchen, Clara smiled and gently nudged Claire. "Go on, sweetheart. Take a little break. You’ve worked hard enough for today."

Claire wiped her hands with a kitchen towel, her face lighting up with curiosity. "Coming, Mommy!" she said, already skipping out of the kitchen.

"What is it, Mommy?" she asked, looking up curiously.

Cassidy met her daughter’s eyes, pausing for a beat as her thoughts shifted.

She glanced at the webpage open on her laptop screen, then back at Claire. Her daughter really was a bright child. At just over three years old, Claire could already speak more fluently than most kids her age. Her curiosity was insatiable. Always asking questions, always wanting to understand how things worked, always observing.

Back when they were still in Switzerland, a pediatrician had told Cassidy that Claire’s IQ was well above average. Higher than most children her age. Maybe she was just born that way... or maybe it ran in the family.

Cassidy smiled to herself. She knew exactly where Claire’s brilliance came from and it certainly wasn’t from her. That sharp mind? It had to be from her father.

***