The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 58: The Weight Of Truth

Chapter 58: The Weight Of Truth

"Hey, you okay?"

Xavier’s voice pulled Cassidy from her thoughts. They were seated at a cozy corner table in one of the restaurants tucked inside the mall. Claire was beside them, quietly watching an educational kids’ video on Xavier’s phone.

Cassidy didn’t usually let her use electronics, but Xavier had a way of bending the rules, only for short periods, and only with content she approved of. It was their little compromise.

Cassidy gave a small nod. "Yeah," she said softly. "Just... thinking about something."

Xavier didn’t push. He simply glanced at her, then turned back to Claire, asking her what the video was about in that gentle tone he always used with her.

Cassidy, meanwhile, stared at her barely touched plate. She had expected the possibility of running into Zeke. Maybe at the shareholder meeting. But not like this. Not in a mall. Not casually, unexpectedly.

And definitely not with Zeke seeing Claire.

And Xavier.

Together.

Her chest tightened. Of all the places in the city, it had to be here.

And what the hell was Zeke’s deal anyway? Why all the questions? Why act like he gave a damn?

Cassidy couldn’t wrap her head around it. This wasn’t the man she used to be married to. That Zeke had been distant, cold, barely present. He’d made it very clear that his work, his world, didn’t have space for her.

So what had changed?

She wasn’t naive. Cassidy knew her own worth, she wasn’t lacking in looks, charm, or intelligence. She could turn heads when she wanted to. But Zeke? Falling for her now? Acting possessive?

It made no sense.

It didn’t fit the Zeke she remembered.

After they finished eating, they headed home. Xavier took the driver’s seat of Cassidy’s car while she sat beside him in the passenger seat. Claire was in the back, strapped securely into her car seat, humming quietly to herself.

"Thanks for coming with me today," Xavier said, eyes on the road, voice easy.

Cassidy glanced over at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You’re the one who deserves the thanks. You made Claire’s day. And you bought her that toy, she’s over the moon."

Xavier chuckled. "What can I say? I like spoiling her."

Cassidy shook her head lightly, amused. "And you’re dangerously good at it."

Xavier glanced at the rearview mirror, smiling warmly. "Hey, Claire Bear," he called. "How are you feeling? Did you have fun today?"

Claire beamed, her little feet kicking excitedly. "I’m super happy!" she chirped. "Today was the best day ever!"

Cassidy looked out the window, her smile lingering, but her mind elsewhere still tangled in the memory of the encounter at the mall.

Once they arrived at the apartment, Xavier walked them all the way to the front door. He had just turned slightly, ready to head back, when Cassidy spoke up behind him.

"Can I talk to you? Just the two of us?"

Xavier paused, then nodded. "Of course."

Cassidy leaned down to Claire, giving her a gentle smile. "Sweetheart, go inside and wait for me, okay? Grandma Clara is inside."

Claire nodded and skipped inside, the door clicking softly behind her.

Cassidy straightened and looked at Xavier. "Let’s sit and talk in the lounge downstairs."

Xavier agreed with a small nod. "Alright."

They stepped into the elevator, rode down in silence, and found a quiet spot in the corner of the lobby lounge. Away from foot traffic, tucked just enough for privacy.

Xavier didn’t press. He didn’t prod. He just sat there quietly, letting Cassidy have the space she needed to find her words, to settle whatever was churning inside her. He had a feeling this was about what happened earlier. About the way she went quiet after they left the toy store.

Cassidy finally spoke, her voice hesitant. "I want to ask you something."

"Of course," Xavier replied gently. "Ask me anything."

She looked at him, steadying herself. Then, softly, "How do you know Zeke?"

Xavier blinked, surprised. That wasn’t what he was expecting but he knew exactly who she meant. Zeke wasn’t a common name, and there was only one Zeke he’d ever crossed paths with.

"I met him by chance, at a café," Xavier said calmly. "Later, he and Thomas, Hannah’s husband came to the restaurant I was collaborating with."

Cassidy nodded slowly. Her fingers were fidgeting again. She paused, then asked the next question more carefully.

"Have you ever told him about Claire? Or shown him a picture of her?"

Xavier’s brows pulled together. "No. Never." His voice was firm. Honest. "Why would I?"

Cassidy gave a small nod, though a faint furrow creased her brows.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed slightly in thought, then widened just a bit as something clicked in his memory. He leaned back, letting out a soft breath.

"Wait," he said slowly. "There was one time... at the café where I first met him. I was in New York, a few months ago. Claire called me out of the blue. She’d taken your phone, remember? Just wanted to say hi."

He paused, his brows drawing together.

"I picked up without thinking. Zeke was sitting behind me the whole time. I didn’t even realize it back then, but... maybe he saw her face. Maybe that’s how he recognized her."

Cassidy’s gaze dropped slightly, her lips parting in realization. She didn’t say anything right away, just sat there, absorbing that small but significant piece of the puzzle.

Then she exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a little as if something heavy had just clicked into place.

"Of course," she murmured. "That’s how it started."

She leaned back against the seat, eyes distant. It didn’t make any of this easier but it made sense now. How Zeke could’ve known.

Maybe fate had always planned it this way. One way or another, Claire and Zeke were bound to cross paths.

Xavier hesitated, his voice quieter now. "Is Zeke... Claire’s father?"

Cassidy looked down, her nod barely noticeable. "Yes."

Xavier leaned back slightly, letting the truth settle. "Figures," he muttered, more to himself than to her. Still, something in his chest tightened—an ache he didn’t quite understand.

Silence stretched between them before he asked again, more gently this time, "So... Zeke is your ex-husband?"

Cassidy nodded again. "Yes. We divorced before I even realized I was pregnant."

Xavier studied her face. "Did you see him at the mall earlier?"

She gave a slow nod. "Yeah. I did."

His brows pulled together. "Did he see you? Claire?"

Another nod. "He did. He saw both of us. And you."

Xavier leaned in, tension building in his posture. "Did he ask... about me? About Claire?"

Cassidy looked away for a moment, then met his gaze. "He did. He asked who Claire is to me. Who you are to her. What the three of us are."

Xavier went still. "And... what did you say?"

Her voice dropped. "Nothing. I didn’t say a word."

Xavier exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "I think... maybe you should tell him. About Claire."

Cassidy blinked, caught off guard. "You think so?"

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Zeke’s already suspicious. You said it yourself, he saw us. He asked questions. Sooner or later, he’s going to find out. And if he hears it from someone else, or worse, pieces it together on his own... it might not end well."

Cassidy lowered her eyes, processing his words.

"It’s your call, Cass," Xavier added gently. "Every bit of it. But whatever you decide, I’ve got your back. Always."

***

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