The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife-Chapter 94: Running into Xavier & Gianna

They spent over an hour at the playground, with Claire carefully enjoying the swings, the slide, and the seesaw, never running, just walking or holding Zeke’s hand as they moved between each spot. Zeke was attentive the entire time, always keeping a close eye to make sure she didn’t move too fast or strain herself. Cassidy had reminded them both more than once, no running.

Afterward, they relaxed under a tree in the park for a while. Claire sat between them, quietly playing with her stuffed rabbit, Sparkle, and her teddy bear, Browny.

Zeke turned to Cassidy and Claire. "Are you both hungry?"

Claire gave a quick nod. "Yes."

Zeke offered Cassidy a polite smile as he turned to her. "There’s a nice restaurant nearby. Would you like to have lunch there?"

Cassidy nodded with a small smile. "Alright. Lead the way."

By the time they arrived at the restaurant Zeke had mentioned, it was mid-afternoon. A server guided them to a quiet, private room. Claire walked in holding Browny and Sparkle, her steps small but steady.

They looked through the menu once they were seated. Most of the options were pork and beef dishes, rich and savory.

Zeke helped Claire choose something simple, a warm soup and a small portion of soft rice with steamed vegetables.

"For her," he said to the waiter, gesturing toward Claire. "Something light and easy to eat."

Cassidy ordered something similar, while Zeke went with one of his usual favorites, grilled beef with roasted potatoes.

The waiter nodded, took down the order, and disappeared quietly.

Claire swung her legs under the table, glancing between the adults. "I’m hungry," she said.

Zeke smiled. "Good. The food will be here soon."

Cassidy reached for a napkin and gently wiped a bit of dust from Claire’s cheek. "You did great today at the park," she said softly.

Claire beamed. "I like parks."

Zeke looked over with a relaxed expression. "Then we’ll go again sometime."

Claire nodded enthusiastically. "With you and Mommy?" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Zeke glanced briefly at Cassidy before replying, "If Mommy says yes, then yes."

Cassidy met his gaze for a moment, her face unreadable. Then she looked at Claire and said with a soft smile, "We’ll see."

About ten minutes later, their food arrived.

Claire watched with wide, sparkling eyes as the waiter placed each dish on the table. Her gaze followed every plate like she was unwrapping presents.

"Yummy..." she whispered in awe.

Cassidy and Zeke exchanged a soft smile at her reaction.

Once everything had been served, Cassidy gently pushed Claire’s soup and rice toward her. "Here’s yours, sweetheart."

They ate in comfort, with Claire’s joyful comments adding a bright touch to the quiet meal.

"This is so good!" she said between spoonfuls. Then she leaned slightly toward Cassidy’s plate. "Mommy, can I try yours?"

Cassidy raised an eyebrow. "Mine’s spicy."

Claire pouted. "Just a little?"

Cassidy shook her head with a smile. "Nope. Your tummy won’t like it."

Claire huffed a playful sigh but returned to her own food, still happily munching. Zeke chuckled quietly and continued eating, clearly enjoying the peaceful moment.

***

After finishing lunch, Zeke turned to Claire with a warm smile. "So, what would you like to do next, kiddo?"

Claire grinned. "I want to finish my Lego set. Can you help me, Uncle Zeke?"

Zeke chuckled. "Absolutely."

The three of them exited the private dining room together, making their way toward the front.

Just then, Claire spotted a familiar face emerging from another private room nearby.

"Uncle Xavi!" she called out, her voice bright with excitement.

Xavier, walking beside a woman, stopped in his tracks and turned.

His expression shifted immediately when he saw the trio. Claire, Cassidy, and Zeke walking together, looking almost like a family, with Zeke gently holding Claire’s hand.

He walked toward them. "Hey, Claire Bear," he said, bending slightly to greet her. Then his eyes moved to Cassidy. "You just finished eating too?"

Cassidy nodded. "Yeah. You?"

"Yeah," Xavier replied, though his gaze briefly flicked to Zeke with something close to disbelief.

At that moment, the woman beside him stepped forward with a soft smile.

"Fancy seeing you here, Ezekiel," Gianna said, her tone light.

Zeke offered a polite nod. "Didn’t expect to see you either, Gi."

He glanced briefly at Gianna, then at Xavier, processing the unexpected pairing.

Before the moment grew awkward, Gianna turned to Cassidy with a friendly smile and extended her hand. "Hi, Gianna."

Cassidy shook her hand politely. "Cassidy," she replied. Then she gestured toward her daughter. "And this is Claire."

Gianna crouched slightly, smiling at the little girl. "Hello, Claire."

Claire gave a shy smile. "Hi, Aunty."

Claire, still holding Zeke’s hand, beamed. "Uncle Xavi, we went to the park today. I played on the swing. Uncle Zeke pushed me!"

Xavier smiled, but there was a flicker of something behind his eyes. Surprise. Confusion. And jealousy.

Xavier didn’t expect this.

Claire clung to Zeke’s hand with ease, chatting about her day. Cassidy stood beside them like it was all familiar now, comfortable.

Zeke wasn’t just visiting anymore. He was slowly becoming part of their world. And Claire? She was already letting him in. Maybe even Cassidy.

Xavier’s smile faltered for a second before he looked away. "Sounds like you had a great time," he said lightly.

Claire beamed. "The best!"

Cassidy gave Xavier a small smile, nothing more. Gianna stepped in with a polite smile, sensing the tension. "We should get going."

Zeke nodded. "Us too."

"See you around, Claire Bear, Cass..." Xavier said, then turned to leave without acknowledging Zeke or even glancing in his direction.

Gianna gave a polite farewell to Cassidy, Claire, and Zeke before following Xavier.

Cassidy, Claire, and Zeke watched them go, then headed for the exit themselves.

***

As soon as they got back to the apartment, Claire grabbed Zeke’s hand excitedly and led him straight to her playroom.

She headed to the shelf, carefully took down a large Lego castle, and placed it gently on the foam mat. Then she rummaged through a nearby box, pulling out the remaining pieces she hadn’t finished yet.

"I built this with Mommy and Grandma Clara," she said proudly, looking up at Zeke with a grin.

Zeke crouched down beside her, examining the Lego castle with interest.

"You’ve done a great job," he said with a smile. "And it looks like you’re almost finished."

Claire beamed with pride. "Uncle Zeke, you have to help me finish it."

Zeke chuckled and nodded. "Of course I will."

As they pieced the Lego blocks together, Zeke glanced at Claire and asked softly, "Did you have a good time today?"

Claire nodded eagerly. "Yes! Thank you for pushing my swing and playing with me."

Zeke smiled warmly. "Anything for you, kiddo."

Claire placed a small Lego flag on top of one of the towers, then looked up at Zeke with curiosity in her eyes.

"Uncle Zeke," she asked, "is your house as big as this castle?"

Zeke chuckled, glancing at the Lego kingdom they were building. "Not quite. It’s a good size, but definitely not as big as this. But... it does have a swimming pool."

Claire’s eyes widened. "Really?"

Zeke nodded with a small smile. "Yup."

Claire sat up straighter, clearly intrigued. "I want to swim... but I don’t know how."

Zeke smiled gently. "Would you like me to teach you?"

Her eyes sparkled. "Can you swim?"

"Of course," Zeke said proudly. "I used to win swimming competitions back in school."

Claire gasped. "No way!" She looked at him like he’d just said he could fly. "Then you have to teach me, Uncle Zeke!"

Zeke chuckled at her enthusiasm and gently tapped her nose. "Of course I’ll teach you," he said warmly. "But only after your stitches are completely healed, alright?"

Claire pouted a little but nodded obediently. "Okay... I’ll wait."

Zeke’s eyes lingered on the Lego castle, though his mind had drifted elsewhere.

The unexpected encounter at the restaurant kept playing in his head.

Gianna and Xavier.

Gianna had feelings for someone for as long as he could remember, though she never said who. Seeing her with Xavier made him wonder, could it be him?

If that were true, maybe Zeke could help her. It would make things easier for everyone. Xavier wouldn’t be hanging around Cassidy and Claire anymore, and Gianna might finally be happy.

It seemed like the perfect solution.

But what if he was wrong?

What if there was nothing between them?

Maybe he’d ask her one day, lightly. If she opened up, great. If not, he wouldn’t push.

***

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