The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 12

12 Chapter 12 The Art Of Indifference

Blanche’s POV 1

The dinner was small–maybe seven or eight people, all from the school’s administration.

A student injury had delayed me, so I arrived last.

The waiter opened the private dining room door, and every face turned my way.

I swept my gaze across the table and froze. Zain Jacob sat there with Desmond Grey.

Castro hadn’t mentioned this was a thank–you dinner for the donation. I hadn’t asked either–just said yes.

Zain belonged in Ronnie–starred restaurants and luxury hotels. The last thing I’d expected was him lingering in our small town for a meal

like this.

His eyes found me too, surprise flickering across his features. Then something shifted in his expression–like he thought I’d donated just

to engineer this “chance” encounter.

“Dr. Callum–please, sit down!” Castro jumped up the moment he saw me hovering.

I caught Zain’s reaction to the title. His eyebrows lifted slightly.

But when I stepped inside, he deliberately turned away, muttering to Desmond, “Sit down. Stop standing around.”

Desmond looked confused. “What?”

I scanned the available seats and chose the one farthest from Zain.

His jaw tightened when he noticed.

Zain’s POV

Desmond was staring like he’d seen a ghost. Zain knew why–for years, Blanche had practically thrown herself at any chance to be near

him. When had she ever voluntarily put distance between them?

What the hell was happening? This wasn’t the Blanche he knew.

He shot Desmond another look, and the man finally sat.

Castro raised his glass to Zain first. Zain sipped politely–nothing more.

All attention centered on him while Blanche ate quietly, barely acknowledging the table’s toasts. When glasses clinked directly between

them, she kept her eyes fixed on her plate.

During Castro’s final round, he stopped at Blanche. “Dr. Callum, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for our children. Since

you arrived, every health issue we could see has been addressed. You’ve treated them like your own. This toast is for you–for all the

dedicated work you’ve done here.”

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12 Chapter 12 The Art Of Indifference

She’d been here for a while already? So she hadn’t followed his car here after all.

He studied her–simple clothes, minimal makeup, yet still stunning. Those years as a full–time mother had drained some color from her

face, but now… there was something new. An allure he couldn’t quite define.

She set down her glass without a glance in his direction. Like he was invisible.

Then a peeled shrimp appeared in her bowl. She looked up at Foster Bobby.

After her time at the school, she’d gotten to know most teachers. Foster was the quiet, gentlemanly type with clear, honest eyes when he

smiled.

“Thank you, Mr. Bobby,” she said.

Castro’s curiosity got the better of him. “Dr. Callum, are you married?”

“Yes. I have a daughter.”

Zain watched Foster peel shrimp for her. Watched her smile at another man. Something twisted in his chest–he couldn’t name the

feeling, only that it made him lose focus.

When he tuned back in, she was saying she was married with a daughter.

Relief hit him, sharp and unwelcome.

He saw the light die in Foster’s eyes instantly.

Then she added, “But I’m about to get divorced.” I didn’t hear that part, however; my phone started ringing with a video call.

He answered without stepping away, glancing at Foster again. The man’s eyes had brightened again.

What had she said?

“Daddy, where are you?” A sweet voice piped through the phone.

His expression softened automatically. “Daddy’s in a small town. I’ll be back tomorrow. Miss Joanna will stay with you tonight. You can

sleep with her.”

His eyes drifted to Blanche reflexively–she was chatting with the man beside her, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Okay, Daddy,” Carry chirped.

Without thinking, Zain said, “Mommy’s here too. Want to say something to her?”

Every head at the table turned. There were multiple women present–who exactly did he mean?

“No. I’m still mad at her. If she doesn’t apologize, I won’t forgive her,” Carry pouted.

Her little voice carried clearly in the quiet room.

Blanche’s POV

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12 Chapter 12 The Art Of Indifference

I heard my daughter’s words while adding Foster on social media, but didn’t look up. As far as I was concerned, the conversation was just

background noise.

What exactly had I done that needed forgiveness?

Zain’s gaze burned into me, but I kept eating, completely indifferent to his call.

Once, I’d been the one more attached to Carry. Now I must seem like a different person entirely.

During my work assignment in the neighboring province, I’d video–called her almost daily. Now? I didn’t even ask about her.

“Daddy, Miss Joanna’s here! I’m gonna build blocks with her. When you finish work, make sure you rest, okay?”

The call ended.

Castro, still processing the conversation, grew curious. The child’s mother was here? Who could it be?

Several women sat at the table–some were married to others, and the only possibility, me, was sitting as far from Zain as physically

possible.

If Zain didn’t mind people knowing about his daughter, why hide a wife?

Maybe Castro had misheard.

When he refilled Zain’s glass, he smiled. “So Mr. Jacob is married.”

“Mm. I have a lovely daughter,” Zain replied coolly.

Castro’s grin widened. “She’s such a sweetheart. Seems close to her nanny at home too.”

“Nanny?” Zain frowned.

“Miss Joanna?”

Castro’s expression was perfectly innocent. He had no clue who “Miss Joanna” really was.

Zain didn’t correct him, but I could see his desire to leave. He pushed back his chair, tone flat. “I’m full. Enjoy the rest.”

He grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door without looking back.

But he stopped beside me–I wasn’t sure why. “Not leaving?”

I couldn’t tell if he meant me.

Once, I would have jumped up to follow him without question. Now? I knew Zain couldn’t care less where I went.

So he definitely wasn’t talking to me.

After a beat of silence, he said louder, “Desmond.”

Desmond shot up. “Coming.”

My lips curved slightly.

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12 Chapter 12 The Art Of Indifference

See? Not me after all.

People really shouldn’t get ahead of themselves.

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