CHAPTER 157: CRAVING HER FLOWER

"Hi, Teresa. Just call me Zeke," he said kindly. "You may not remember me, but we met at my wedding with Cassidy. Sorry I haven’t visited. I’ve been busy with work."

"That’s fine. I understand," Teresa answered with a gentle smile.

After chatting a bit with Teresa, Claire and Zeke asked for permission to swim, since Claire couldn’t wait to play in the pool with Freya and Jonah.

Meanwhile, Cassidy and Georgia spent time talking with their mother.

As they spoke, Cassidy noticed how her mother seemed happier, freer, and more open than she remembered. It touched her heart, and she felt grateful for the change in Teresa.

While they were still talking, Julian, who had been resting in his room, suddenly appeared near the pool.

He chose a seat far from them, just watching quietly without saying a word.

Cassidy let out a small sigh at the sight. She had heard from Georgia that Julian had changed a lot too. Since the incident with Teresa, he had become more reserved, yet softer. At first Cassidy couldn’t believe their cold, strict father could ever soften, but with Georgia often telling her about his change, she started to believe it little by little.

They stayed at Georgia’s house until around five in the afternoon before saying goodbye.

Teresa asked Cassidy to visit more often, and Cassidy promised she would.

On the way home, Claire had already fallen fast asleep, exhausted after playing with Freya and Jonah.

Zeke could sense Cassidy’s bright mood—her small smile hadn’t left her face the whole time.

When they arrived at the villa, Zeke laid Claire down in her own room. For the past few days, Claire had agreed to sleep alone again.

There was one reason why Claire agreed so quickly. Zeke remembered exactly what he had told her that made her say yes.

A few days ago, while playing with Claire, Zeke suddenly asked, "Princess, do you want a little brother or sister?"

"Yes," Claire answered with a nod.

"If you want a baby brother or sister, you need to sleep in your own room. No more sleeping with Mommy and Daddy." Zeke said seriously.

Claire tilted her head, confused why sleeping alone was connected to having a sibling. "Can’t I have a baby brother or sister if I don’t sleep alone, Daddy?"

"That’s right. You can’t, because if you sleep with Mommy and Daddy, then Mommy and Daddy can’t make a baby for you."

If Cassidy had heard Zeke say something like that to their little girl, she would have smacked his head for sure. Luckily, Claire only understood part of it.

"Oh no! I want a baby brother or sister. So... does that mean I have to sleep by myself now, Daddy?" she asked, her face sad at the thought of not cuddling with her parents but still wishing for a sibling.

"Yes. If you want a baby soon, you have to sleep in your own bed. Can you do that, princess? You do want a brother or sister, don’t you?" Zeke coaxed.

"Okay, Daddy. I’ll sleep alone then... but only because I really want a baby brother or sister," she said with a small pout, but her eyes were determined.

"Good job, princess. You’ll definitely have a little brother or sister. Daddy and Mommy will do our best to give you one," Zeke said, gently stroking Claire’s head with affection.

After putting Claire to bed in her own room, Zeke was still thinking about their little conversation. He chuckled softly, pleased that he had managed to convince Claire not to sleep with him and Cassidy anymore.

When he walked into their bedroom with a small smile on his face, Cassidy noticed immediately. "What’s making you smile like that?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, just remembering something funny," Zeke replied, offering no further detail.

Cassidy, sitting at the vanity and wiping off her makeup, raised a brow. "By the way, I’ve been wondering, what did you say to Claire that made her stop sleeping with us?" she asked while dabbing her face with a cotton pad.

Zeke had already told Claire not to share the reason with Cassidy, that it was their little secret. And Claire, of course, agreed.

"Secret," Zeke said with a sly grin.

Cassidy scoffed. "Seriously? What’s with this secret business?" She pouted, clearly sulking at being left out.

Zeke only chuckled. Then he asked, "Are you going to shower, baby?"

"Yeah, after I clean my makeup," Cassidy answered. She had already planned to take a shower after removing her makeup.

Hearing that, Zeke smiled, teasing her. "Perfect. I also want to shower. How about we shower together, baby?"

Maybe this was the right time to grant Claire’s wish for a little sibling, Zeke thought.

"No. You go first," Cassidy refused right away.

"But I want to shower with you, baby," Zeke pleaded. "Besides, it’s been a long time since we showered together."

Cassidy scoffed and looked at him through the mirror. "But I don’t want to shower with you... what now?" she teased back.

"Why not? I’ll help you shower. You don’t have to do anything," Zeke said teasingly that made Cassidy’s cheeks turn red, knowing exactly what he meant.

"I can take a shower by myself. You don’t need to help me," Cassidy refused again, clearly not wanting to shower together.

"But I want to, baby. Come on, baby, please," Zeke pleaded, giving her a puppy-eyed look. "And... someone’s been missing you too, baby," he added, glancing toward his zipper. "Don’t you miss it?"

Zeke’s blunt words made Cassidy’s eyes widen in shock, her face burning with embarrassment. She wanted to throw her hairbrush at him, but she held back.

"Please, baby... I know you miss him too. I miss your flower so much. They’ve been waiting to meet again, aching for each other. Don’t you think it’s cruel to keep them apart this long?"

"You..." Cassidy’s voice falters, her breath catching. "How can you say something so vulgar without even flinching?" Her face burns, heat spreading down her neck.

"I’m not ashamed," Zeke says firmly, his eyes locked on hers. "I’m just being honest."

He stepped closer, his hands sliding onto her shoulders, kneading softly until her body tensed under his touch. Leaning in, his lips almost brush her ear as he whispers, voice low and hoarse, "Tell me your flower doesn’t crave him too, baby... can you really say that?"

His hips press deliberately against her back, making her gasp. "See? He’s been dying to be inside your flower again," Zeke murmured, grinding slow enough for her to feel every inch of his arousal.

***