The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife-Chapter 97: The Secret Revealed

Margaret turned to Cassidy, leaning in slightly. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Zeke and Claire...?" she asked, not finishing the sentence.

But Cassidy understood. She gave a small nod. "Yes."

Margaret’s eyes widened, then slowly, she stood and walked over to sit beside Cassidy.

She gently took Cassidy’s hand.

"You’ve done so much, Cassidy," she said softly. "You raised her well."

Cassidy stared at her, surprised. She hadn’t expected those words. Kindness. Understanding.

She had prepared herself for questions, for blame, for resentment, for being the one who kept Claire away all these years.

But Margaret just smiled and squeezed her hand.

She was happy.

Happy to know the little girl was her granddaughter.

Now that she knew Claire was her granddaughter, Margaret couldn’t hide how happy she was.

She looked at the little girl and called gently, "Claire, would you come talk to Grandma? Can I see you up close?"

Claire, who had been talking with Zeke, turned toward Margaret. She glanced at Zeke, looking for a sign.

Zeke smiled. "Do you want to talk to Grandma Margaret?"

Claire nodded. "Okay."

She got down from the couch and walked over to Margaret.

Margaret watched her with a warm smile, her eyes soft with emotion. The closer Claire came, the more she felt her heart grow full.

As soon as Claire was within reach, Margaret gently pulled her closer and cupped her small cheeks with both hands, stroking them softly.

"You’re so sweet and adorable," Margaret said with a tender smile. "How did you grow up to be this cute?"

Claire answered without hesitation, "Because I eat a lot. That’s why I grow like this."

Margaret let out a soft laugh at her honesty, clearly charmed. Cassidy, Zeke, and Clara couldn’t help but smile at the exchange.

Margaret then asked, "So, what did you do today?" Margaret asked kindly.

Claire beamed. "I played with Rocco. He’s a funny and smart dog."

Margaret smiled gently. "Do you like Rocco?"

Claire nodded right away. "Yes."

Margaret chuckled. "I have a dog too. Her name is Luna, she’s a golden retriever. And I also have a Persian cat named Ginger."

Claire’s eyes lit up. "You have a dog and a cat?"

Margaret nodded, reaching into her handbag. "Would you like to see them?"

Claire leaned in eagerly. "Yes."

Margaret pulled out her phone and started showing Claire pictures of Luna and Ginger.

Claire watched with joy as Margaret scrolled through the photos. When a video of Luna and Ginger playing together appeared, Claire leaned in even closer, her eyes focused.

She didn’t say anything at first, just watched quietly, completely absorbed.

When the video ended, she looked up at Margaret and whispered, "They’re so cute."

Margaret smiled warmly. "You can come visit them sometime, if you’d like."

Claire’s face lit up again. "Really?"

Margaret nodded. "Of course, sweetheart."

Zeke, who heard his mother’s offer, gave a small shake of his head. He didn’t agree but he stayed quiet.

Meanwhile, Claire started chatting excitedly with Margaret, telling her all sorts of little stories.

Zeke, Cassidy, and Clara sat nearby, listening with soft smiles. Sometimes they joined the conversation, but mostly, they just let Claire and Margaret talk.

A few moments later, Claire let out a little yawn. Her eyes were starting to look sleepy.

Margaret asked gently, "Claire, are you feeling sleepy, sweetheart?"

Claire nodded softly.

Zeke smiled. "Do you want to take a nap upstairs?"

Claire nodded again.

Just as Zeke stood up to walk her, Cassidy lightly touched his arm. "Let me and Clara take her," she said quietly.

Cassidy wanted to give Zeke and Margaret some privacy. She knew there were probably a lot of things Margaret wanted to ask.

Zeke nodded in agreement.

Cassidy then took Claire’s hand, and together with Clara, they made their way to the guest room.

Once Cassidy and Clara had taken Claire upstairs, leaving only Zeke and Margaret in the living room, Margaret turned to her son with a serious look. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Zeke," she said quietly, "what really happened?"

Zeke didn’t answer right away. His expression was tense.

"Was Cassidy already pregnant when you got divorced?" Margaret asked.

Zeke let out a breath and rubbed his temple before replying. "Yes. She found out after we divorced."

Margaret frowned. "Is that why you spent those two years trying to find her? Because you knew?"

Zeke shook his head. "No. I didn’t know. Cassidy never told me she was pregnant when she left."

Margaret let out a small sigh. "So, did she tell you about Claire when she came back?"

Zeke ran his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "No."

Margaret stared at him. "Then how did you find out? Don’t tell me someone else told you."

Zeke shook his head. "No. I only found out because Claire needed my blood. She was shot."

Margaret’s face twisted in shock. "What? She was shot? By who?"

Zeke’s voice was steady but tense. "I’ve looked into it. It wasn’t targeted, just some random man. But someone paid him. Paid him to shoot Claire."

Margaret stood up in disbelief, her voice rising. "What? Someone wanted to kill her?!"

Zeke expression was calm, but his voice turned noticeably colder. "Mom," he said firmly. "Lower your voice. Cassidy doesn’t know about that, and I intend to keep it that way for now."

Margaret said softly, "I’m sorry," then took a breath to calm herself and sat back down. She looked at Zeke and asked, "Was the shooting connected to you somehow?"

Zeke shook his head slightly. "I don’t know."

Margaret stayed quiet, still trying to process everything. She had just met her granddaughter only to find out someone had tried to kill her.

Then Zeke added, "For now, don’t tell anyone about Claire’s identity. Especially Grandpa."

Margaret frowned. "Why?"

Zeke’s tone was firm. "Just do what I say, Mom."

Margaret let out a soft sigh. "Okay. I’ll listen to you."

Zeke leaned back slightly, eyes calm again. "So, what brought you to my villa today?"

"Oh, that. Your grandfather’s birthday is coming up next month. I wanted to ask your opinion about the celebration."

Zeke nodded slowly. "Have you talked to him about it?"

Margaret shook her head. "Not yet. But I mentioned it before. He said it’s up to me."

Zeke rubbed his chin, thinking. "Maybe something simple at home, just family. Or, if you want something bigger, we could book a five star hotel ballroom. Formal, black tie."

Margaret nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll speak with him and see what he prefers."

Zeke gave a small nod in return.

Then, after a brief pause, Margaret’s voice turned more hesitant. "Em, Zeke... does Claire not know you’re her father yet?"

Zeke’s expression didn’t change. "Not yet. I’m waiting for the right moment."

Margaret nodded again, more slowly this time.

A beat passed.

Then she asked, quietly but clearly, "And what about Cassidy?"

Zeke looked at her. "What about her?"

Margaret gave him a knowing smile. "I know you care about her, don’t you?"

Zeke didn’t answer. He stayed silent, his expression unreadable.

Margaret studied him for a moment, then said gently, "Your marriage before wasn’t about love. So if you’re thinking about trying now, make sure it’s different. Be gentle. Be honest. Let her come to you on her own terms."

She paused before adding, "She’s been through enough. So have you. If something real could grow between you two, don’t rush it. And don’t hurt her."

After a long pause, Zeke murmured, "I know."

***