The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 64: The Chance I Won’t Waste

Chapter 64: The Chance I Won’t Waste

Cassidy took Zeke’s phone without a word and typed in her personal number. She hit "call," and a second later, the phone inside her clutch began to ring. She ended the call, then glanced up at him.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Zeke just nodded.

Cassidy looked at the clock on the wall. "It’s lunchtime," she said, almost casually. "Aren’t you eating?"

Zeke tilted his head slightly. "Are you hungry?" Then, almost too quickly, "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

Hope flickered in his eyes before he could hide it.

But Cassidy shook her head gently. "I can’t. I’m heading to the hospital."

Zeke’s expression didn’t change much, but something in him sank. Still, he nodded in understanding.

"I’ll walk you out," he offered.

"That’s not necessary," Cassidy said. "I can find my way."

Zeke met her gaze, calm but firm. "I’ll just walk you to the lobby."

She sighed softly. She’d forgotten how stubborn he could be. "Fine," she murmured.

They stepped into the elevator together. The descent was quiet. Tense, but not uncomfortable. As they passed through the office floors, a few employees glanced up, then back down, only to do a double take when they saw who was walking beside their CEO.

By the time they reached the ground floor, nearly every pair of eyes in the lobby was on them.

Zeke and Cassidy didn’t notice. Or maybe they just didn’t care.

The young male receptionist nudged the woman beside him the moment he spotted them. Both of them stared, wide-eyed, watching the pair approach like they’d just seen something out of a movie.

When they neared the entrance, Cassidy slowed her steps and stopped. She turned to Zeke.

"This is far enough," she said softly. "I can walk from here. You should get back to work."

Zeke nodded but stayed where he was, watching as she walked away.

Only after she passed through the glass doors did he finally turn and head back toward the elevators.

Behind him, the receptionists exchanged looks.

The woman broke the silence first, her voice low but sharp. "Was that... a smile?"

The guy let out a quiet scoff, still staring at the elevator. "That was more than a smile. He was practically glowing. Like a man on vacation."

She raised an eyebrow. "No. Like a man in love."

He nodded slowly. "I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was about to escort her to the damn car. You saw how he stood there like a bodyguard?"

"I’ve worked here six years, and I’ve never seen Ezekiel Salvador walk anyone to the lobby. Man barely nods at clients."

"Exactly," the guy whispered. "That wasn’t business. That was personal."

The woman leaned closer, eyes still on the door. "She had that ex-wife energy. You know... the kind that already survived him once."

The male receptionist blinked, then gave a small nod, like something just clicked. "You’re right. I felt it the second I saw her. There’s just something about her... unforgettable." He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. "Maybe our boss feels the same way."

The two of them exchanged a look, already itching to spill the story into every chat group they had.

And just like that, the rumor mill started spinning.

***

Back in his office, Zeke leaned against the edge of his desk, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It hadn’t fully faded since Cassidy walked out of the building.

He hadn’t expected today to turn out this way. But it did. And somehow, just talking to her had loosened something inside him he didn’t even know was there. For the first time in a while, he felt like he could breathe.

A soft knock, then Andrew stepped in, holding a folder. He stopped short when he saw Zeke’s face.

"Well," Andrew said with a knowing smile, "I take it things went... better than expected?"

Zeke glanced at him, the smile still lingering. "It went better than I thought."

Andrew smirked, setting the folder down. "Better how?"

Zeke hesitated, then said, almost like a quiet victory, "She asked for my number."

Andrew blinked. "She asked for it?"

Zeke gave a nod, trying to play it cool, but he couldn’t hide the slight lift in his voice. "Said she wanted to talk again. Not here. Not now. But sometime soon."

Andrew chuckled, genuinely amused. "Look at you. Getting the call-back after four years."

He stepped further inside, dropping the folder on the table and crossing his arms. "So... what now? You’ve talked. You’ve survived. You’ve exchanged numbers." He paused. "Are you gonna try to get back together with her?"

The question hung in the air.

Zeke didn’t answer right away.

Get back together?

It wasn’t something he had consciously planned. Not in words. But Andrew had a point. The thought had started to take shape. Slowly, steadily. And now, it refused to leave.

He lowered himself onto the edge of the desk, his brows drawing together in thought.

He had spent the last few months wondering why Cassidy’s absence left a hole that no amount of work, money, or distraction could fill. Why he kept seeing her face in strangers, or imagining her laughter in rooms she wasn’t in.

And now he knew.

It wasn’t just about losing a wife, or a habit, or comfort.

It was love. Real. Deep. Quiet but undeniable.

"I don’t want to lose her again," Zeke said finally, almost to himself.

There was a trace of warmth in Andrew’s eyes as he looked at Zeke not just as his boss, but as someone he genuinely cared about.

But Zeke’s expression suddenly shifted. His brows furrowing, the edges of his mouth drawing tight.

He didn’t know what Cassidy’s relationship was with Xavier. And Claire... he hadn’t even dared ask yet.

A wave of unease swept through him.

What if she had moved on? What if Xavier wasn’t just a friend?

Still, he straightened.

If they were just dating, he could live with that. For now. Dating wasn’t marriage. And Cassidy wasn’t someone you let go of without a fight.

He just hoped it wasn’t already too late.

"I need a plan," Zeke murmured.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "A plan?"

Zeke looked up, a new clarity setting into his gaze. "If there’s even the smallest chance, I’m not going to let her go without trying."

Andrew gave a slow nod, something almost like respect in his expression. Then, with a small smile, he added, "Good. Then don’t hold back. If she means that much to you, fight for her."

Zeke held Andrew’s gaze for a moment, the weight of his words settling deep in his chest.

"I will," he said, quietly but with conviction. "This time, I won’t mess it up."

He was willing to learn, to grow, and to become a better man, not the one she once married, but someone new. He hoped Cassidy could see him differently now.

He wasn’t sure what the road ahead would look like, what obstacles he’d have to face, or whether Cassidy would even let him close again.

But for once, the uncertainty didn’t scare him. Because for the first time in years, he knew what he wanted.

***