The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 106: Between Fear and Comfort

Chapter 106: Between Fear and Comfort

Zeke arrived in New York shortly after 7 p.m.

It had taken him over five hours to fly in from Seattle, but he didn’t stop anywhere, not even to rest. He came straight to Cassidy’s apartment.

When he reached her door, he rang the doorbell.

Cassidy opened it, visibly shocked to see him standing there.

"Zeke? What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Seattle? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be able to come?"

Zeke didn’t respond right away. Instead, his gaze fell on the small bandage on her temple.

Without thinking, he reached out and gently brushed his fingers against it.

"Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"

Startled, Cassidy instinctively stepped back.

Zeke quickly pulled his hand away, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable."

Cassidy gave a faint smile. "I’m fine. It’s just a small cut." She tried to ease the tension in the air.

But Zeke’s concern didn’t fade. "What about Claire?" he asked, his voice low. "Is she alright?"

Cassidy nodded. "Yes. She was shaken up, but she’s alright now. She’s sleeping." She stepped aside. "Come in. We shouldn’t talk out here."

Zeke nodded and entered. "Sorry. I just... I was really worried."

He followed her into the living room, and they took seats on opposite couches, facing each other.

Cassidy looked at him closely. "How did you find out about the accident?"

Zeke hesitated.

He wasn’t sure how to explain it. If he told her the truth, that he had quietly stationed bodyguards to watch over her and Claire, she’d likely be upset.

But he also couldn’t lie. Not to Cassidy. Not about something this serious. He knew she deserved the truth, even if it made things complicated.

Taking a deep breath, Zeke met her eyes. "I’ll tell you everything. But I need you to stay calm."

Cassidy’s brows furrowed, unease creeping into her expression.

Trying to keep his voice steady, Zeke continued.

"I had a few bodyguards watching over you and Claire... from a distance. You didn’t know about it, but I only did it to protect you both. I didn’t want to take any risks after what happened before."

Cassidy didn’t interrupt, but her expression tensed.

Zeke clenched his fists. He hadn’t wanted to bring up the shooting again, it was too painful but she needed to hear the truth.

"The thing is... Claire’s shooting wasn’t random," he said quietly. "Someone meant to kill her."

Cassidy’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" she whispered, then her voice rose. "What do you mean? It wasn’t random? You’re saying someone planned it? That someone wanted to kill Claire? But... why? She’s just a little girl!"

Zeke stood, sensing her panic, and moved to sit beside her.

He gently took her trembling hand in his and spoke softly, "Cass, breathe. Just take a breath. In... and out..."

Cassidy tried to steady herself, following his lead. Her breathing gradually slowed.

Still shaken, she asked, "Who would want to hurt Claire?"

Zeke looked up at the ceiling for a moment before answering. "My men found the shooter before the police did. He confessed. Someone paid him to do it, to shoot Claire."

Cassidy turned pale. "That doesn’t make any sense. Why would anyone want her dead?"

Zeke let go of her hand and lowered his gaze.

Cassidy narrowed her eyes, suspicion rising. "This has something to do with you, doesn’t it?"

He didn’t respond.

She pressed again, louder this time. "Zeke. I’m asking you, does this have anything to do with you?"

Before he could answer, someone spoke.

Clara stepped out of her room, her expression concerned. "Is everything alright? I heard yelling."

Cassidy quickly forced a calm tone. "I’m sorry, Clara. We didn’t mean to disturb you. We were just... talking."

Clara gave a quiet nod and returned to her room, leaving the two alone once more.

Zeke finally spoke, his voice low. "I don’t know if it’s connected to me. But Cass... I swear to you, I’m doing everything I can. I don’t want either of you to get hurt. My team is working on this. We have some leads. But the person behind it all... they’re good at hiding. Like a rat in the dark."

Cassidy scoffed, bitterly. "Clearly, you haven’t caught them. Today’s car crash proves that."

Zeke didn’t say anything. His eyes showed exactly how bad he felt.

Cassidy stood up, pacing. Her anxiety was creeping back in. "Then what do we do now?"

Zeke met her gaze. "You should stay in the apartment for the next few days. I’ll increase the security around you and Claire."

Cassidy’s voice was soft when she answered, "Okay."

"But if you really need to leave," Zeke added, "the bodyguards will be with you. Not in secret this time. They’ll be right there beside you. You won’t be alone."

Cassidy gave a small nod. "Do what you have to do, Zeke. Just keep Claire safe."

"I will," he replied, just as quietly. "I want you both safe."

Cass didn’t answer, but she paused in her steps.

Then he asked, "Can I see Claire for a moment?"

"Of course. Just don’t wake her. She’s had enough for today."

Zeke stood and made his way to Claire’s room.

He found her sound asleep, her blanket half on the floor. He picked it up and gently tucked it around her.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, he brushed her hair back and touched her cheek with care.

"You’re going to be okay, kiddo," he whispered. "Daddy’s not going to let anything happen to you again."

Just then, Claire stirred. Her eyes blinked open, still heavy with sleep. "Uncle Zeke... is that you?" she murmured.

Zeke smiled softly. "Yeah, it’s me. Go back to sleep."

She gave a small nod, eyes fluttering shut again.

Zeke stayed a moment longer, quietly watching her, grateful she was safe.

Then he stood and stepped out, returning to the living room. Cassidy sat there, lost in thought.

He took a seat beside her, drawing her attention.

"She woke up for a second," he told her gently. "But she went right back to sleep."

Cassidy nodded.

She looked at him. "Are you going home now?"

Zeke checked his watch, and it was already eight.

He looked back at her, concern flickering across his face. "You sure you’re okay? You look a little pale."

Cassidy didn’t answer. She couldn’t say she was fine, not after everything she’d just heard.

Zeke didn’t press. "Have you eaten?" he asked instead.

Cassidy shook her head. "I don’t really have an appetite."

Zeke stood up. "Mind if I borrow your kitchen?"

Cass frowned. "What for? Don’t tell me you’re going to cook."

He slipped off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. "Why not? I haven’t eaten either. If you let me use your kitchen, I’ll cook us something."

Cassidy raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t know you could cook."

Zeke smiled faintly. "There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Maybe now’s the time to start finding out."

And with that, he walked toward the kitchen, leaving Cassidy flustered, unsure if he was teasing her or trying to say something more.

***