Zeke didn’t say a word, but his hold on Claire tightened, pulling her a little closer.
"Oh," Xavier said, rubbing the back of his neck as a faint smile ford. "I should’ve let you know first before dropping by." His eyes briefly showed a hint of disappointnt, but it disappeared just as quickly.
Xavier should’ve known. Things weren’t the sa anymore, not like when they were in Switzerland. Back then, he could co and go freely, seeing Cassidy and Claire whenever he wanted. Back then, Claire only had him.
But now, Zeke was here. Her real father. And whether he liked it or not, his place in Claire’s heart was slowly being replaced.
Just as the silence stretched, Claire suddenly chirped, "Co with us, Uncle Xavi!"
Xavier’s chest tightened. So she did still rember him. At least a little.
But then his eyes t Zeke’s. Zeke was watching him closely. There was no need for words. Zeke’s stare was enough to make the ssage clear. Don’t step over that line.
Xavier let out a quiet sigh. "I’m sorry, Claire-bear. I’d love to co... but I can’t today. Maybe next ti, okay?"
Claire pouted but gave a small nod. "Okay." Then she added cheerfully, "After the dentist, we’re going to the kids café."
Xavier smiled faintly. "Have fun there, Claire Bear."
They walked toward the front doors of Cassidy’s apartnt building. Xavier said his goodbye to both Cassidy and Claire, promising to visit another ti.
Cassidy nodded and said softly, "Take care on the way."
Xavier left without saying a single word to Zeke. The tense look that had been on Zeke’s face since Xavier showed up finally softened once he was gone.
"Let’s go," he said to Cass, already walking toward his car in the parking lot.
Zeke had switched to his rcedes-Benz GLS—thankfully, he owned one. Knowing Claire needed to sit in a car seat, he’d deliberately chosen that car for today.
He gently secured Claire in the new car seat he had bought just yesterday, placing it in the center of the second row. Then, he and Cassidy took their seats on either side of her, Zeke on the right, Cassidy on the left.
As the car started moving, Claire looked forward with a curious gaze. "Uncle, who are you?"
Nolan didn’t respond at first, assuming Zeke would say sothing. But Zeke remained silent.
Claire asked again, more insistent this ti. "Who are you, Uncle?"
Nolan let out a soft chuckle and finally replied, "My na’s Nolan. You can call Uncle Nolan."
"Uncle Nolan? Are you coming to the dentist too?" Claire tilted her head, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes," Nolan replied with a gentle smile. "But I’ll just wait outside. I’m not going in."
Claire’s mouth dropped open slightly, clearly surprised. "Why not? Are you scared?" she asked, leaning forward in her car seat, her tone innocent but serious. "I’m scared too, but I have to be brave if I want to go to the kids’ cafe!"
Her words made the grown-ups in the car chuckle softly at her honesty.
Nolan said, "I’m not scared. But my job makes stay outside." His usually cold, bodyguard-like expression softened a little as he answered Claire, his voice calr than usual.
Claire didn’t really get what he ant, so she turned her attention to Zeke’s driver instead.
Just like with Nolan, she started asking the driver a bunch of little questions. He smiled kindly, answering Claire with tenderness.
The entire ride to the clinic was filled with Claire’s endless questions and the quiet smiles and chuckles of the adults as they patiently responded to her.
They arrived at the clinic about ten minutes before 3 PM. Zeke gave Claire’s na at the front desk, and a staff mber asked them to take a seat and wait.
Several families were already there, children and their parents quietly waiting for their turn.
Claire sat beside Cassidy, her eyes scanning the room. She pointed to a slightly older girl across from them, probably around seven years old, and whispered, curious, "Does that big sister want to get her teeth checked too?"
Cassidy smiled warmly. "Of course she does."
After waiting for about ten minutes, Claire’s na was finally called. Cassidy and Zeke followed her into the examination room.
Inside, a woman in her thirties greeted them with a warm nod, still wearing her dical mask. Her eyes briefly widened in surprise when she saw Zeke.
She gestured for them to sit down in front of the desk.
With a gentle voice and kind eyes, she said, "You have such a lovely smile. Are you Claire?"
Claire nodded shyly, her cheeks turning pink at the complint.
Dr. Anastasia then turned to Cassidy. "Has she had a dental check-up before?"
Cassidy nodded. "Yes, once. Back when we were in Switzerland."
Dr. Anastasia nodded and gently asked Claire to lie down on the dental chair.
Suddenly, Claire grabbed Zeke’s arm tightly, fear flashing in her eyes.
"It’s okay, princess," Zeke said softly, leaning closer to her. "Mom and Dad will be right here beside you. It won’t hurt, right, doctor?" he asked, glancing at Dr. Anastasia with a calm but protective tone.
Dr. Anastasia looked at Zeke a little too long, as if searching his expression for sothing.Then, she turned to Claire with a reassuring smile in her eyes. "It won’t hurt at all, and it’ll only take a few minutes," she said kindly.
Claire nodded hesitantly.
With both Cassidy and Zeke walking her over, she climbed onto the chair and slowly lay down.
Dr. Anastasia gently instructed her to open her mouth and began the examination.
It didn’t take long.
Once done, she looked at Cassidy and said, "Her teeth look great. No cavities or signs of decay. There’s no plaque buildup either, and her permanent teeth are starting to co in nicely."
Cassidy let out a quiet breath of relief. "That’s good to hear. I make sure she brushes twice a day. And she rarely eats sweets."
"You’ve taught her well," Dr. Anastasia replied with a nod. "To help strengthen her enal, I recomnd a fluoride application. It’s quick just a few minutes at most."
Cassidy nodded in agreent to Dr. Anastasia’s suggestion.
The doctor then turned to Claire, explaining the next step gently. "Claire, I’m going to apply so fluoride to your teeth, okay? It’s a bit like putting nail polish on your nails, just a thin layer. It won’t take long, about three minutes."
Claire nodded, understanding, and opened her mouth again.
Once the procedure was done, Claire carefully climbed down from the dental chair. Dr. Anastasia gave a few final reminders to Cassidy and Zeke. "No food or drinks for the next thirty minutes, and make sure to co back for regular checkups every six months."
Cassidy nodded and said, "Thank you."
Dr. Anastasia gave them a warm nod. "You’re very welco."
Then, just as they were about to leave, she reached up and pulled down her mask. Her face now fully visible, she turned to Zeke.
She looked straight at Zeke with a gaze that carried familiarity. "Long ti no see, Ezekiel." She smiled as she spoke, but there was sothing beneath it.
***
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