The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 77: A Father’s Hesitation

Chapter 77: A Father’s Hesitation

Cassidy, sensing the tension in the room, quickly spoke up.

"That was during your birthday, Xav," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "We were at your place with some friends. I forgot Claire’s rabbit because we left in such a rush that night."

Xavier simply smiled, offering no further comment. But that small smile was enough for Zeke.

The tightness in Zeke’s chest eased slightly at Cassidy’s explanation. Still, he couldn’t shake the unease that had been growing since earlier. His eyes drifted toward Xavier. Calm, composed, confident. A faint, knowing smirk tugged at Zeke’s lips.

He saw it now.

He knew exactly what Xavier was trying to do.

Stir jealousy. Plant doubt. Push him to lose control in front of Cassidy.

Zeke drew in a slow breath. Not this time.

He held Xavier’s gaze in silence. But beneath that calm, a silent warning had already been delivered.

Suddenly, Zeke’s phone buzzed. He glanced down. It was Blake. Without hesitation, he picked up.

"Yeah ?"

"Boss," Blake said immediately. "We found him."

Zeke’s eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"At the old school," Blake replied. "Hidden past the woods outside Millbrook."

Zeke glanced over his shoulder at the room before stepping quietly into the hallway.

"I’ll take this outside," he said to Cassidy.

She nodded without asking further.

Once alone, Zeke brought the phone back to his ear. "Talk."

"We got to him before the cops did," Blake said. "He’s alone. Armed but cornered. What’s the next step?"

Zeke’s voice dropped, calm but cold. "Interrogate him."

"And if it turns out to be random?"

"Turn him over."

"And if it wasn’t?"

Zeke’s jaw clenched. "If he was targeting Claire, I want to know why. Hold him. I’ll deal with him personally."

Blake hesitated. "Can we use our own methods?"

"Do whatever you need to do. Just don’t kill him. I want answers. Call me once you have the motive."

"Got it."

Zeke hung up. His grip on the phone tightened.

He hoped this was just a random act of violence. Something senseless, without reason. But if it wasn’t, if someone had hurt Claire on purpose, then they had no idea what was coming for them.

He returned to Claire’s hospital room and pushed the door open. The moment he entered, the tension in his expression eased. The icy edge in his eyes was gone, replaced by something calmer. Controlled.

Cassidy looked up from her chair beside the bed. "Everything okay?"

Zeke gave a small nod. "Just a call I had to take," he said evenly.

His gaze shifted to Claire.

Clara gasped suddenly. "I just saw her finger move!" she exclaimed, her voice lifting with disbelief and hope. "I swear... her finger just moved!"

Xavier stood up at once. "Really? Are you sure?"

Cassidy rushed to the bed, heart racing. "Claire? Sweetheart?" Her voice trembled as she leaned over the rails.

They all gathered around, holding their breath.

Then, Claire’s eyelids fluttered. Slow, uneven. Like she was struggling to rise from deep sleep.

Cassidy’s hand flew to her mouth, chest rising in sharp rhythm.

Claire’s eyes shifted beneath her lids.

And then, they opened. Just a sliver. A soft glimpse of hazel met the room’s light.

"Claire," Cassidy whispered, voice breaking. "Baby, can you hear me?"

Claire blinked, her gaze glassy and unfocused. Her breathing was shallow, her body clearly exhausted. But she was awake.

A faint whimper escaped her lips, not pain, just confusion.

"She’s waking up," Clara whispered behind them, stunned. Her hands trembled as she pressed them together.

Cassidy reached down and gently took Claire’s hand. "Mommy’s here, sweetheart. You’re safe now. You’re in the hospital, okay?"

Claire didn’t speak. But her small fingers twitched around Cassidy’s hand.

It was enough.

Xavier stepped forward, his voice low and thick. "Hey, Bear... Uncle Xavi’s here too."

Claire’s lips moved. The tiniest sound came out. A whisper. "Mommy..."

Cassidy’s knees buckled slightly. She leaned down, kissing her daughter’s tear-dampened cheek. "I’m here, baby. I’m right here."

Zeke stood a step back. His body locked in place. His chest rising and falling too fast. His daughter, his little girl was awake.

Alive.

Clara turned, almost stumbling as she rushed to the wall and hit the call button. Her voice shook as she spoke into the intercom.

"Doctor... Room 305. Claire is awake. She opened her eyes. Please come quickly."

"Understood. We’re on our way," came the voice through the speaker.

Clara turned back to the bed, her breath fast but hopeful. "They’re coming," she said quickly.

Cassidy kissed Claire’s forehead. "You’re amazing, sweetheart. So, so strong."

Within minutes, the medical team arrived. Dr. Myers, calm and professional, approached the bed with two nurses.

"Claire," he said gently. "If you can hear me, blink twice."

Claire slowly blinked. Once. Then again.

Cassidy’s tears rolled silently.

"She’s responding," one nurse noted, jotting it down.

"She knows where she is," another added. "Good orientation."

Dr. Myers checked Claire’s abdomen with careful hands. "No swelling. No signs of internal bleeding," he confirmed.

Claire winced slightly.

"She’s in some discomfort," the nurse said. "We’ll keep the pain medication going."

"Maintain IV fluids. No food or drink until bowel sounds return," Dr. Myers instructed. "Her digestive system needs more time."

A technician entered with a blood draw kit.

"We’ll repeat her labs," the doctor continued. "Check hemoglobin, electrolytes. We’ll keep monitoring closely."

Cassidy asked, "Is she going to be okay?"

Dr. Myers gave a small reassuring smile. "She’s doing well so far. But she’ll need rest. It’s normal if she drifts off again. Her body’s still healing."

The team wrapped up quickly and adjusted the room’s lighting to help Claire rest.

Cassidy leaned down once more and kissed her daughter’s cheek. "You did so well, baby girl."

Zeke stood silently by the wall, the storm behind his eyes beginning to clear.

He wanted to step closer. To go to her bedside. Wanted to take her hand, say something.

But he didn’t.

Because he was scared.

Scared that she wouldn’t want him there. That she wouldn’t know him. That she wouldn’t accept him.

He was her father by blood, but that didn’t mean he had a place in her heart. So instead of rushing to her side, Zeke stood still. Watching. Wanting. But uncertain.

***