Xavier's mind wasn't really focused. Claire had to call his name a few times before he finally responded.
"I'm so sorry, Claire Bear. What did you say just now?" Xavier asked gently, his eyes soft but filled with guilt.
Ever since he saw the look exchanged between Zeke and Cass before Claire pulled him into the playroom, Xavier's thoughts had drifted somewhere else.
"Are you feeling sick, Uncle Xavi?" Claire asked with concern. Even though she was still a child, Claire was very observant.
So when she saw Xavier's pale face, unfocused eyes, and uneasy expression, she thought he might be unwell.
"Yeah. I'm not feeling too good right now, sweetheart," Xavier answered honestly.
More accurately, his heart was broken. He understood what Cass and Zeke's looks meant earlier because he had never seen Cass look at him like that before.
Their gaze held a strange mix of playfulness, worry, and affection. Suddenly, Xavier felt a sharp ache in his chest, like his heart was being crushed.
