Zeke chuckled softly. There was something oddly endearing about the little girl in front of him, so guarded, yet expressive. But her eyes still watched him carefully.
So, he tried a different approach.
"I know Uncle Xavier," he said casually.
Claire’s expression lit up instantly. Her eyes widened, and the corners of her mouth lifted in delight. "You know Uncle Xavi?"
Zeke nodded, amused by the sudden shift. "Yeah. I’m friends with his brother-in-law. I’ve even had his cooking."
Claire moved closer, eyes gleaming. "Uncle Xavi’s cooking is always yummy! He always makes me delicious cakes and soup."
Zeke couldn’t help but smile at her excitement, but something else stirred beneath the surface. A small flicker of... jealousy?
This little girl clearly admired Xavier, her eyes sparkled just at the mention of his name.
He tilted his head slightly, pretending to keep it light. "Sounds like you really love your Uncle Xavier, huh?"
Claire nodded enthusiastically. "I really like Uncle Xavi! He’s the best." She tilted her head curiously. "So you’re his friend?"
Zeke gave a small smile. "Something like that." Then, glancing around, he asked, "So... what are you doing here? Waiting for someone to pick you up?"
Claire nodded again. "Yes."
Zeke didn’t need to ask further, Claire’s answers had already confirmed it.
The voice, the face, the mannerisms, she was the same child from that video call with Xavier.
What he hadn’t confirmed yet, was the voice in the background. The woman who had called out to her. The voice he hadn’t been able to forget.
So he asked, careful and quiet, "Do you know someone named Cass—"
But before he could finish, a woman’s voice called from behind.
The little girl immediately turned and beamed. "Grandma Clara!" she shouted, waving both hands as a woman approached from the gate.
Before leaving, Claire turned back to Zeke with a cheerful, "Bye, Uncle!" before running into the arms of the older woman, who welcomed her with a gentle hug.
He squinted, watching the woman lead Claire away. He didn’t recognize her. That wasn’t Teresa, Cassidy’s mother. He would’ve known. So... had he gotten it all wrong?
Zeke fell silent, his thoughts racing. But, if that little girl knew Cass, then what exactly was the connection between them? And more importantly, what was the relationship between Cass and Xavier?
Zeke was still staring into space when Logan approached, his voice low and careful. "Who was that little girl? Do you know her?"
Zeke didn’t answer. His jaw tightened slightly before he asked in return, "The kid you saw with Cassidy... did she look like that girl?"
Logan blinked in surprise. "Wait, are you saying that girl might be the same one who was with Cassidy?"
Zeke turned to him slowly, his gaze sharp. "If I knew, would I be asking you?"
Logan raised both hands, defensive. "Hey, I told you, I didn’t get a clear look at her face. But the height, the build... yeah, it could be the same girl. But how do you even know she’s the one with your ex-wife?"
Suddenly, a small voice called out.
Collin came out of the building, his backpack bouncing as he hurried toward them. Logan spotted his nephew and smiled, crouching down to ruffle the boy’s hair before standing and walking him over to where Zeke was waiting.
"This is my friend," Logan said as they stopped in front of Zeke. "You can call him Uncle Zeke."
Collin blinked up at him, then offered a shy, "Hi, Uncle Zeke."
Zeke gave him a small nod and a tight smile. "Hey, kid."
Logan glanced at Zeke, lowering his voice. "So? What now? You still wanna hang around, or..."
Zeke’s eyes flicked toward the preschool gates one last time. Then he shook his head.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Logan and Collin behind.
Meanwhile, inside Georgia’s car, her heart was still racing.
She hadn’t started the engine yet. Her hands clenched the steering wheel, knuckles white. The moment she saw Zeke standing there talking to Claire, a spike of panic had hit her chest like a jolt of electricity. Thankfully, Clara had come with her today. Without wasting a second, Georgia had asked her to call Claire over, cutting the conversation short before it could go any further.
Now, as she sat behind the wheel, trying to collect herself, she glanced at the rearview mirror.
Claire was buckled into her car seat, quietly humming to herself.
Georgia turned, her voice calm but cautious.
"Sweetie, who was that man you were talking to just now? Do you know him?"
Claire shook her head innocently. "No. But he said he’s Uncle Xavi’s friend."
Georgia’s stomach dropped. Her brows furrowed deeply.
"He said that? That he’s Uncle Xavier’s friend?" she asked, confusion creeping into her voice.
Claire nodded, still swinging her legs. "Uh-huh."
Georgia exhaled, her thoughts racing. Friend of Xavier? That didn’t make sense. Did he even know Xavier?
"What else did he say to you?" she asked, trying to keep her tone calm.
Claire tilted her head, thinking. "He didn’t ask my name. He already knew it. Mommy told me not to talk to strangers, but then he said he knows Uncle Xavier, so... I thought he wasn’t a stranger anymore."
Georgia’s eyes widened. "He knew your name?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Claire nodded. "Uh-huh. I don’t know how. But he said he’s friends with Uncle Xavi’s brother-in-law. And he said he’s eaten Uncle Xavi’s food before."
Georgia’s hands froze on the steering wheel, her brow furrowing deeply.
Her mind raced. Who’s Xavier’s brother-in-law?
A knot formed in her stomach.
Did Xavier...? No. Xavier would never. He wouldn’t show Claire’s picture to anyone. He was too careful, too loyal.
How the hell did Zeke recognize Claire and even know her name?
Georgia shook her head slowly, a quiet thought pressing behind her eyes. I have to tell Cassidy, she thought grimly.
Without another word, she started the car and pulled away from the preschool, her grip on the wheel tighter than usual.
The silence hung between them for a while, broken only by the soft hum of the road.
Then suddenly, Georgia glanced at the rearview mirror. "Claire, sweetheart..."
Claire, who had been chatting with Clara beside her, looked up curiously.
Georgia hesitated, then asked—half teasing, half genuinely curious, "That uncle from earlier... was he more handsome than your Uncle Xavier?"
Claire blinked, clearly taking the question seriously. Her lips pursed as she thought.
She finally answered, her tone matter-of-fact, "Uncle Xavier and that uncle... they’re both handsome."
Georgia let out a dry chuckle, though her thoughts were far from light.
If only you knew, Claire, she thought, glancing once more at the rearview mirror where Claire sat, now happily babbling again to Clara.
That uncle who spoke to you...
He’s the father you’ve been asking about all this time.
A bittersweet ache settled in her chest.
What would you do if you knew? If you realized that the little girl who looked at you with those wide, curious eyes was your own daughter?
Georgia swallowed hard.
Would you be angry, Zeke? Would you feel betrayed? Or... would you fight to be a part of her life?
She didn’t have the answers. And maybe Cassidy didn’t either. But one thing was certain now, this secret wouldn’t stay hidden much longer.