The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife-Chapter 91: Playing House

Zeke smiled as he looked at the teddy bear in Claire’s arms.

"So," he asked gently, "what name are you going to give your new friend?"

Claire looked down at the bear, her brows furrowing in deep thought. She took the decision seriously.

After a moment, she looked up proudly.

"Browny. Because he’s brown."

Zeke chuckled. "Browny, huh? That’s a good name. It fits him."

Claire nodded, clearly happy with her choice.

"Browny is going to sleep next to Sparkle tonight," she said with a serious face.

Zeke gave her a warm look. "I think Sparkle will like that."

Claire sat between Zeke and Cassidy on the couch, hugging Browny tightly. Every now and then, she looked from the teddy bear to Sparkle, who was resting nearby.

Zeke turned to her with a smile. "Do you like Browny?"

Claire nodded quickly. "I love him. Thank you, Uncle Zeke."

Zeke smiled back. "You’re very welcome, Claire."

The three of them sat together in a quiet, comfortable silence, until Claire suddenly asked a question.

"Uncle Zeke, do you work?"

Zeke nodded. "Yes, I do."

"Is your job the same as Uncle Xavi’s?"

"Not exactly," Zeke replied with a gentle smile. "I work in a tall building, mostly behind a computer."

Claire’s eyes lit up. "A tall building? Like Daddy?"

At the mention of her father, both Zeke and Cassidy stiffened. Zeke’s smile faltered. Cassidy’s hands, which had been resting calmly in her lap, tensed slightly.

"Yes... kind of like your daddy’s."

Claire beamed. "So you work in the same kind of place as Daddy?"

Zeke’s breath caught for a second. He nodded slowly, carefully.

Claire, still innocent and unaware of the change in atmosphere, kept going, "Mommy said Daddy couldn’t meet me because he’s busy working in a tall building."

Silence fell over the room.

Zeke glanced at Cassidy, who kept her gaze on her lap, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Zeke took a breath and gently asked, "Claire... do you miss your dad?"

Claire didn’t hesitate. "Of course. My friends at school get to play with their daddies every day. I want that too."

Zeke felt a tightness in his chest. "So you want to play with your dad?"

Claire nodded again, but this time, her smile faded. Her eyes turned sad, and that look hit Zeke deeply.

He reached out and gently patted her head. "If your dad were here, what would you want to do with him?"

Claire took a moment to think. Then she said quietly, "I want to go to the park... ride a bicycle together... eat ice cream... and build a big Lego castle."

Zeke’s smile was soft, though his heart ached. "That sounds like a lot of fun."

Claire looked up at him. "Do you think Daddy would want to do those things with me?"

Zeke’s hand stayed on her head as he answered, "I think he would want that more than anything."

He looked into her eyes. "How about this. While you’re waiting for your daddy to have more free time, what if I do those things with you? Would you like that?"

Claire’s eyes widened with surprise and hope. "Really? You’d do that with me? But you work too. Don’t you get busy like Daddy?"

Zeke smiled and shook his head. "No. I’m not busy at all."

Claire lit up with joy. "Yay! Then can we go to the park tomorrow? And after that, maybe build the Lego castle?"

Zeke laughed softly. "You got it, champ."

A CEO of Salvador Group, not busy? That sounded impossible.

Cassidy’s expression softened as she sat beside Claire. When Claire looked up and asked if Zeke wasn’t busy, Cassidy almost sighed.

But Zeke had simply smiled and said he wasn’t.

Not because it was true but because Claire wanted to spend time with her father. And even if she didn’t know he was her father yet, Zeke couldn’t bring himself to say no.

Cassidy turned slightly, watching him in silence.

He was really doing it. Setting aside his work, his schedule, his pride. Just to be with the daughter who didn’t even know the truth.

And somehow, that made her chest tighten.

In a good way.

Claire stood up from the couch and hugged both of her stuffed animals tightly.

"I’m going to put Sparkle down for a nap," she said, "and introduce Browny to the rest of my friends!"

She giggled and hurried off to her room, her little feet padding against the floor as she disappeared down the hallway.

Zeke and Cassidy watched her go, both smiling.

Cassidy glanced at Zeke. "Thank you... for making time for her today."

Zeke turned toward her, his voice calm and certain. "You don’t need to thank me. It’s my responsibility as her father."

He paused briefly, then added in a quieter tone, "But I’m not doing this just because I should. I’m doing it because I want to."

Cassidy studied him for a moment. "Are you really okay with her request to go to the park tomorrow?"

"Of course," Zeke replied without hesitation.

Cassidy tilted her head slightly. "If you’re busy, it’s alright to cancel. Claire will understand. Just... don’t spoil her too much. I’m trying to teach her not to expect everything handed to her."

Zeke shook his head. "I can ask Andrew to take care of things at the company for the day. And I don’t mind spoiling her. If something makes her happy and I can give it, then I will."

Cassidy exhaled softly, not quite a sigh, but close.

She was doing her best to raise Claire with a sense of simplicity and balance. Meanwhile, Zeke was ready to give their daughter the world.

Their approaches to parenting couldn’t have been more different.

After a quiet moment, Zeke turned to her. "How’s your mom doing?"

Cassidy gave a small nod. "Georgia and Sandro are staying with her at the hospital. She had a session with the psychiatrist today. They’re monitoring her mental health closely."

Zeke nodded slowly. "She’s strong. I believe she’ll recover."

"Thank you," Cassidy said quietly.

There was a brief pause before she asked,

"Do you plan to tell your family, your parents, your grandparents about Claire?"

Zeke looked down for a moment, then met her eyes again. "I will. But not yet. I want Claire to know the truth first, before anyone else does."

Cassidy didn’t respond right away. She simply nodded, her expression calm. She understood.

A few minutes later, Claire returned, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Uncle Zeke!" she called out. "Come play with me!"

She grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the hallway.

Zeke laughed softly and let her lead the way.

Cassidy, watching from the living room, simply smiled and shook her head. There was no stopping Claire when she had her mind set on something and clearly, today, that something was Zeke.

She brought him into a cozy room that had been turned into a play area. Soft foam mats covered the floor, and toys were neatly arranged along the shelves. In the middle of the room was a small table just the right height for a child.

Zeke’s eyes landed on the teddy bear he had given Claire earlier. It was sitting neatly beside the little table, as if it had been carefully placed there by its new owner. The sight made him smile.

it looked like Browny had already become part of the family.

"Sit here!" Claire instructed, pointing to a spot in front of the table, right next to where Browny sat.

Zeke glanced at the small setup, a little puzzled, but followed her lead and sat down. "Alright," he said, looking around. "So... what are we playing?"

Claire gave him a big smile, already walking over to her toy kitchen set. "I’m the chef today!"

Zeke’s eyebrows rose slightly in amusement. "Oh, I see. Then I must be your customer."

Claire nodded seriously. "Yes! And you’re very hungry, okay?"

Zeke grinned. "Got it. I’m starving."

She turned to face him with a serious expression. "Now, what would you like to order, mister customer?"

Zeke grinned. "Hm... What’s the chef’s recommendation?"

Claire thought for a moment, then said proudly, "I’m really good at making pancakes."

Zeke nodded thoughtfully. "Alright then. I’ll have the pancakes."

Claire gave a confident nod. "Okay! Wait here. I’ll cook them for you."

Zeke smiled, resting his arms on the table. "I can’t wait to taste them, Chef. I’m sure they’ll be delicious."

Claire beamed and turned back to her tiny stove, already humming a tune as she began her imaginary cooking.

Zeke watched her, his heart full. Moments like this felt more real than anything money or power could ever offer.

It didn’t take long before Claire finished her imaginary cooking. She picked up a tiny plastic plate from the toy kitchen and proudly brought it over to the little table where Zeke was sitting.

"Here’s your pancake, sir," she said, setting it down in front of him with great care.

Zeke put on a serious face, picked up an invisible fork, and nodded. "Bon appétit," he said with a smile, playing along.

Claire stood next to him, watching eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Zeke pretended to take a bite and closed his eyes dramatically. "Mmm... this is delicious, Chef Claire. The best pancake I’ve ever had!"

Claire’s face lit up with pride. "Really?"

Zeke nodded with full conviction. "Absolutely. You’re a cooking genius."

Claire beamed, practically glowing under the praise, then hurried back to her kitchen set with renewed excitement. "Okay! I’m going to make dessert now!" she announced. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Zeke leaned back a little, grinning as he watched her.

"I can’t wait."

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