The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 59: What I Can’t Promise

Chapter 59: What I Can’t Promise

Hearing Xavier’s steady, supportive words, Cassidy felt the weight on her shoulders lift a little. Her chest loosened, her breath came easier.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Xavier gave a gentle smile. "I just want what’s best for you and for Claire."

Cassidy’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "I know."

There was a pause before Xavier, a bit hesitant, asked, "Can I ask something? Why didn’t you ever tell Zeke about Claire? I mean, if you don’t mind sharing."

Cassidy’s gaze drifted past him, toward some distant spot above his head. Her expression turned thoughtful, a little heavy.

"Maybe... because I thought he already had someone he loved," she said slowly, her voice quiet but steady. "We were already divorced at that point. And I didn’t want my pregnancy to ruin that for him."

Xavier gave a slow nod, taking it all in. Honestly, he hadn’t even known Cassidy had been married until that flight back to the States.

When he first found out she was pregnant, a few thoughts had crossed his mind. Things like maybe she’d gotten pregnant out of wedlock, maybe she ran away from something. But knowing now that she had been married... somehow, it still stung a little.

He couldn’t really explain it. Maybe it was the thought of someone else having had a part of her life that he would never touch. Still, he understood. Everyone had a past. No one’s perfect.

He cleared his throat and offered her a soft smile. "You should head back upstairs. Get some rest. And don’t let all this stuff mess with your head too much, alright? Call me if you need anything. Seriously."

Cassidy gave a small nod. "I’ll walk you to the door," she said softly.

They made their way to the apartment door in silence. Just as Xavier turned to say goodbye, Cassidy suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Xavier froze for a split second, caught off guard then gently returned the hug.

The embrace lingered, warm and sincere.

"Thank you," she whispered, "for always being there. For me and Claire."

He held her close, his chin brushing the top of her head. For a moment, neither of them moved.

When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Sometimes I wish I could be more than just the one who’s always there... but I’ll take whatever part of your life you’ll let me have."

Hearing his words, Cassidy looked up at him surprised, a little panicked. "Xav..." she breathed, unsure of what to say.

Xavier gently loosened his arms and stepped back, putting a small distance between them. His voice was calm, steady, even if his eyes held something deeper.

"You don’t have to say anything," he said quietly. "I know this probably isn’t the right time. I just needed you to know how I feel. That’s all."

He offered a small, earnest smile.

"And I’ll still be here for you and Claire. If you’ll let me."

Cassidy blinked, her chest tightening with a strange tangle of emotions. She looked away for a moment, then back at him, her voice low.

"Xavier... I don’t know what I feel," she admitted honestly. "It’s been a long time since I even let myself think about love about anything like that."

She gave a soft, conflicted smile. "I guess I’ve been surviving more than living."

Xavier didn’t interrupt. He just stood there, steady as always.

"But I do know this," Cassidy continued. "You’ve been there for me and Claire when we needed someone. And that means more than I can put into words."

She paused, eyes searching his. "I just need time. To sort through everything."

Then, softly, almost apologetically she added, "And I can’t promise you anything, Xav. I don’t want to make promises I’m not sure I can keep."

Xavier nodded gently, a small, understanding smile on his face. "I’ll wait. No pressure. No expectations. Just... here, if you need me."

***

When Cassidy returned to the apartment, she found Claire sitting in the living room with Clara. The two of them were whispering and giggling softly, sharing a moment that felt light and warm.

Clara looked up and greeted her with a smile. "You’re back? Has Xavier left?"

Cassidy nodded as she slipped off her shoes. "Yeah, just now," she replied, then made her way over to the couch and took a seat beside them.

Claire immediately leaned against Cassidy’s side, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder, still clutching the little stuffed toy Xavier had bought her.

Cassidy glanced down at her daughter, then offered Clara a faint smile. But her mind wasn’t fully in the room.

She knew Xavier treated her and Claire differently. Genuinely. With care, without pressure, without expectations. She hadn’t been entirely surprised by his confession earlier. Xavier had always been kind and consistent. In Switzerland, he had become a true friend, someone who stood by her side in a foreign country, during a Chapter of her life that felt isolating and uncertain.

But what left her slightly unsettled was the fact that she didn’t really know how she felt in return.

She felt safe around him. Comfortable. Supported. But was that love? Or simply gratitude for someone who had been there when she was going through everything alone, especially during those early days of raising Claire, when every step felt like walking through fog.

Cassidy watched as Claire laughed quietly with Clara, and let out a slow breath.

There were still so many things she didn’t understand.

Including her own heart.

And then there was Zeke.

Cassidy exhaled slowly, her gaze unfocused. She had no idea how to even begin telling him about Claire. Just the thought of it made her stomach twist. She could already imagine his reaction, anger, disbelief, maybe even betrayal. Judging by the way he’d looked at her in the mall earlier, the way his emotions had flared, he was furious. She wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up yelling at her.

But deep down, she knew this was her fault.

Keeping Claire a secret had been her decision, however complicated the reasons behind it. And now, whatever came next... she had to face it. Own it.

No one gets through life without mistakes. This one began with her, so it was hers to fix or bring to an end.

While Cassidy was still lost in thought, Claire’s voice suddenly pulled her back.

"Mama, I’m sleepy," the little girl said, rubbing her eyes.

Cassidy smiled softly and stood up. "Alright, let’s get you to bed."

She took Claire’s hand and walked her into her room.

Inside, Cassidy helped her change into her pajamas, then watched as Claire climbed into her small bed, pulling the blanket up to her chest.

"Will you read me a story?" Claire asked, her voice already drowsy.

Cassidy sat on the edge of the bed. "Which one do you want tonight?"

"The Frog Prince," Claire said, her eyelids already fluttering.

Cassidy reached for a well-loved book from the shelf and began to read, her voice calm and soothing, each word wrapping around Claire like a lullaby.

By the time she reached the final page, Claire was fast asleep.

Cassidy leaned down and kissed her daughter’s forehead gently. She turned off the main light, leaving only the soft glow of the night lamp, and quietly closed the door behind her, leaving Claire to her dreams.

***