The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 69: What a Father Does

Chapter 69: What a Father Does

Zeke had just stepped into a quiet corner of the hospital lobby when he pulled out his phone.

He tapped Blake’s name and brought the phone to his ear.

"Blake," he said the moment the call connected.

"Yeah, boss?"

"I want you to start digging into what happened at that cafe," Zeke said, voice low and clipped. "The shooting. I want everything. Security footage, witness statements, police contacts. Whoever was behind that, I want a name."

"Understood," Blake replied without hesitation. "I’m on it."

Zeke paused for a second, then added, "Once you have something solid, come to the hospital. I want to hear it in person."

"Will do."

Zeke ended the call without another word, his jaw tight as he lowered the phone.

As soon as Zeke found out Claire was already in the OR, he went straight there.

Cassidy was sitting on a bench right outside the room, her arms wrapped around herself, shoulders tense. She didn’t see him. Her eyes were fixed on the double doors, as if staring long enough would somehow make them open.

He sat down beside her.

Only then did she stir, slowly turning her head toward him.

"You’re done?" she asked, her voice small, dry.

Zeke nodded. "Yeah. She’s getting it now."

Cassidy looked back toward the doors. "Thank you," she whispered.

Zeke glanced at her, concern in his eyes. "Don’t thank me," he said gently. "This was never a choice. It’s my duty." Then, softer, "How are you holding up? Are you okay?"

Cassidy let out a weak laugh and shook her head. "I’m... trying," she said softly. "But Claire..."

Her lips trembled. She covered her mouth with one hand, but the sob still came out. Her shoulders shook as she cried.

Zeke gently put his arm around her. She leaned into him right away, like something inside her finally broke.

"She’s going to be okay," he whispered.

Cassidy closed her eyes, but tears kept falling.

Zeke held her a little tighter. "She’s your daughter, Cass. She’s strong. She’s a fighter."

Zeke stayed quiet, just holding her. Cassidy was still crying, but not as much now, like she was starting to calm down, even if only a little.

Then Cassidy spoke, her voice barely a breath. "This is my fault."

Zeke looked down at her.

"If I hadn’t said yes... if I’d just said no, just gone straight home... none of this would’ve happened. Claire wouldn’t be..." Her voice cracked. "She wouldn’t be lying in there."

Zeke didn’t let her finish.

"Shhh..." he said gently, turning to her. He placed a hand on her back. "Don’t say that. Don’t blame yourself."

Her breath hitched again.

"This isn’t on you," he continued. "You couldn’t have known. No one could. The person who did this... they’re the one to blame. Not you. Not Claire."

Cassidy let out a quiet, broken sound. "But I’m her mother. I was supposed to protect her."

Zeke looked at her, his voice low. "You’ve done everything you can. And you’re still fighting for her, Cass."

She clung to him then, burying her face into his shoulder as silent sobs overtook her.

Zeke held her close, his own eyes burning, jaw clenched as he tried to stay steady for her, for Claire.

And for a moment, neither of them spoke.

They stayed like that for a while, curled into the quiet, until Zeke finally spoke.

"Come with me."

Cassidy pulled back slightly, frowning. "Where?"

Zeke glanced down at her hands and blouse, both stained with dried blood. "To the restroom," he said gently. "You should clean up. I already called Andrew to bring you a change of clothes. He’s on his way."

Cassidy followed his gaze, finally noticing the dried red smears on her skin, the dark patches on her shirt. Her expression crumbled again for a second but then she nodded.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Zeke stood and offered a hand to help her up. They walked together in silence until they reached the restroom outside the OR. As Cassidy pushed the door open and stepped inside, Zeke’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

Andrew.

He answered immediately.

"I’m at the hospital," Andrew said without greeting.

Zeke kept his voice low. "Go to the restroom near the OR. I’m waiting here."

"Got it."

A few minutes later, Andrew appeared, holding a plain paper bag. He handed it to Zeke, brows furrowed.

"What’s going on? Why did you ask me to buy women’s clothes? Who are these for?"

Zeke took the bag. "Cassidy."

That made Andrew pause. His face change. Surprised, confused, concerned all at once.

"What happened? Why are you two even at the hospital? Did something—?"

"Andrew." Zeke cut him off calmly but firmly. "Thank you for bringing this. You can go now."

Andrew looked like he wanted to say more, but something in Zeke’s tone made him stop. He gave a small nod.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."

Zeke nodded once, and Andrew left without another word.

Not long after, Cassidy stepped out of the restroom. Her face looked a little cleaner, but the blood on her shirt and sleeves stood out even more starkly now.

Zeke held up the paper bag. "Here. You can change."

Cassidy’s eyes softened. She took the bag with both hands and gave him a faint, tired smile. "Thanks."

Then she turned and disappeared back into the restroom, the door swinging shut behind her.

A few minutes passed.

Zeke stayed where he was, leaning against the wall beside the restroom door, arms crossed, eyes distant. The hallway remained quiet, the soft hum of the hospital lights the only sound around him.

Then the door opened.

Cassidy stepped out slowly, now dressed in a fresh set of clothes. Simple jeans and a loose beige sweater, nothing fancy, but clean and warm. Her hair was damp at the edges from where she’d splashed water on her face, and though her eyes were still red, she looked a little less broken.

Zeke straightened as soon as he saw her.

Cassidy paused in front of him. "I didn’t realize how awful I looked," she said quietly, glancing down at the bag in her hand that held her stained clothes.

"You looked like a mother trying to save her daughter," Zeke replied. "No one expects you to look perfect today."

Cassidy gave a small, sad smile. "Still... thank you. For this. For everything."

He didn’t answer with words this time. He just gave her a nod, then motioned for them to return to the waiting area.

They walked side by side, not speaking. But there was something different now, something steadier in the silence between them.

When they reached the bench again, Cassidy sat down slowly, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. Zeke remained standing for a moment, then finally took the seat beside her once more.

The doors to the operating room remained shut.

Still no news.

***

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