The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 129

129 Chapter 129 The Harder You Fall

Blanche’s POV 1

The next morning, I showed up at the courthouse. Zain was already there, his car sitting by the curb, though he hadn’t stepped out yet.

He wasn’t exactly known for being on time, but today he’d actually kept his promise. Obviously, he’d been waiting for this moment just as

much as I had.

I could see him through the windshield, phone pressed to his ear, his expression growing darker with each passing moment. Whatever

conversation he was having clearly wasn’t going well–his jaw was tight, his free hand gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles.

From his body language, I could tell this was business–related, probably something about a lost deal. I’d seen that particular brand of

controlled fury before during our marriage.

After a few more terse exchanges, Zain ended the call and sat staring at the row of trees along the street, his face a mask of cold

calculation. Something told me this wasn’t just about one lost project–there was a deeper game being played here.

Just as he seemed lost in his own thoughts, I knocked on the car window.

Zain turned to see me standing outside and rolled down the window. My voice stayed cool and even as I said, “Let’s get this done.”

Zain stared at me, seeming lost in thought for a moment.

I wasn’t sure when it happened, but lately, whenever I looked at him, my eyes held nothing but calm–not a trace of emotion left.

But it hadn’t always been this way.

After he got out of the car, Zain glanced down and spotted the emerald bracelet around my wrist.

Whether he planned it or not, Zain asked, “You like that bracelet?”

When he said it, I instinctively pulled my hand back to hide the bracelet.

The day Vincent won the bracelet at auction, both Zain and Joanna had been there.

I wasn’t sure if Zain even remembered the piece, but to dodge any awkward questions, I answered simply, “It’s fine.”

Zain caught me covering the bracelet and his brow creased slightly, though he didn’t push.

Today we were here to file for divorce.

Once we got inside the courthouse, I walked up to the window and told the clerk, “We’re here to file for divorce.”

The clerk looked between me and Zain before saying, “Please provide the required paperwork.”

I turned to Zain and said, “IDs, the divorce papers, and our marriage certificate.”

Zain paused before asking, “You didn’t bring the marriage certificate?”

I frowned, irritation creeping into my voice. “The marriage certificate is at Blissfield Villa. You seriously didn’t remember that?”

15.15

212

<

129 Chapter 129 The Harder You Fall

The clerk, sensing the tension, quickly jumped in, “Sorry, but you need all documents–ID, divorce agreement, and marriage certificate.

Missing any of them means we can’t process this.”

I tried to see if the clerk might bend the rules, but she just sighed and said, “Sorry, those are the regulations. Come back tomorrow when

you have everything.”

With no other choice, Zain and I had to leave together.

Outside the courthouse, I was clearly frustrated, letting out several annoyed sighs.

Zain, meanwhile, looked as calm and unshakeable as always, like nothing in the world could rattle him.

Seeing him so unbothered made my irritation spike even higher, though I knew arguing wouldn’t help anything.

I said, “I only took an hour off for this. I need to get back to the hospital. As for the marriage certificate, just hunt for it at Blissfield Villa

tonight. Once you find it, we’ll try again tomorrow.”

I noticed Zain watching me with an oddly contemplative expression, as if he was trying to puzzle something out. There was a flicker of

something–confusion? Regret?-in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. But whatever thoughts were running through his head, he kept

them to himself.

Later that afternoon, I was still working when Demetrius appeared.

The moment he walked in, every nurse in the department started melting, propping their chins on their hands and staring at him like

starstruck teenagers.

Demetrius gave them a polite smile, then headed straight for the doctor’s office to find me.

I had just wrapped up when I saw him. “Hey, Demetrius,” I called out.

Demetrius naturally took my bag without hesitation and said gently, “Want to grab dinner together?”

I hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Sure, my treat though, Demetrius.”

Demetrius just gave me a soft smile, saying nothing.

At the restaurant, Demetrius handed me the menu. “Go ahead, you choose.”

I was scanning the options and had just ordered two dishes when I heard footsteps approaching.

Instinctively, I looked up and saw Zain and Joanna walking in together, Joanna clinging to Zain’s arm.

From the determined look on Joanna’s face and the way she was scanning the restaurant before spotting us, this was clearly no coincidence. She’d orchestrated this “accidental” encounter deliberately.

As they approached, Joanna flashed a bright smile and greeted Demetrius, “Hi, Demetrius.”

Demetrius glanced up at her, his expression cool and distant. “Hello,” he replied.

Seeing him actually acknowledge her, something shifted in Joanna’s demeanor–a flash of satisfaction that suggested she’d interpreted

his politeness as encouragement.

16.11

213

<

129 Chapter 129 The Harder You Fall

Joanna softened her voice, putting on her sweetest smile. “I have some questions I’d love to ask Demetrius.”

you,

Zain stood silently beside Joanna the entire time. He didn’t speak, but just being there was enough to show his support. I could see the

subtle way he positioned himself–protective, ready to intervene if needed.

My fingers quietly tightened around the menu, my grip betraying my tension.

Demetrius looked up at Joanna, his face completely expressionless. “If you’re asking about research topics, I can’t help you. This is literally PhD basics… If you need someone else to pick your topic, maybe medicine isn’t your field. Honestly, you should probably

consider dropping out now.”

Sure, he wasn’t wrong, but Joanna couldn’t handle that level of bluntness. Getting called out like that in front of Zain made Joanna’s face

burn with shame.

But before Joanna could even start tearing up, Zain cut in, his expression turning frigid, “Mr. Jake, Joanna simply said she wanted to ask you some questions. She never mentioned research topics. You’re being incredibly arrogant. Standing tall doesn’t mean you see farther;

the higher you climb, the harder you fall.”

The threat in Zain’s voice was unmistakable, and I could see the dangerous glint in his eyes–the same look he’d worn in the car when discussing whatever business setback had frustrated him earlier. He was clearly in a mood to pick fights today.

Comment O

Leave the first comment for this chapter.

Send Gifts