The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 13

Blanche’s POV 1

When Zain Jacob stood to leave, Castro Dixon got up to walk him out.

I stayed put, quietly pushing my food around the plate.

After dinner, everyone scattered.

Foster and I were both heading back to school, so we took the same route.

The small town stretched out beneath a bright moon and scattered stars, our shadows moving together down the empty road.

Autumn had arrived. Sweet osmanthus bloomed everywhere, filling the air with their heavy perfume.

I’d never been one for small talk, and we walked in silence until Foster finally broke.

“Where did you study, Ms. Callum?”

“Oakwood University.”

“I know someone who went there too.”

“Small world.”

“The principal mentioned you’re returning to Oakwood tomorrow?”

“Yes. My stint here is finished.”

“Then… would you let me take you to dinner sometime?”

I stopped walking, considered his words, then replied, “If you ever make it to Oakwood, I’ll buy you dinner. It would be my pleasure.”

Foster scratched his neck, that easy grin spreading across his face. “Since when do women pay?”

Before we knew it, we’d reached the school entrance.

By the track, Castro lingered in the shadows with Zain. They had a clear view of Blanche and Foster as they walked back together.

“Look at those two, Mr. Jacob,” Castro said with a knowing smile. “Don’t Dr. Callum and Mr. Bobby make a handsome pair?”

Zain’s eyes tracked their movement, his face unreadable.

Zain’s POV

Blanche, I thought, never knew when to stop.

I’d been crystal clear with my rejection, yet she kept pushing–asking when I’d come home.

No surprise I’d stopped answering her calls.

13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

After Carry’s birth, Blanche had been a wreck–hair tangled, clothes reeking of sour milk, skin pale and lifeless. Whatever spark she’d

once possessed had died completely.

I hadn’t laid a finger on her in years. But like it or not, she remained

my

wife.

Yet she seemed to have forgotten that fact–getting cozy with another man.

I remained silent. Castro mistook it for indifference, but couldn’t resist adding, “She’s quality. Any man who gets her will be blessed.”

Blessed?

Was I?

I didn’t buy it. Didn’t give a damn either.

After all, my success had nothing to do with Blanche.

Meanwhile, Blanche and Foster disappeared around the academic building’s corner.

“Mr. Jacob,” Castro said suddenly, “you and Mr. Grey have been drinking. You won’t make it back to the city tonight. Maybe you’d

consider staying at my place?”

The town lacked decent accommodations, and Castro figured a man like me wouldn’t tolerate shabby conditions.

I stared into the distance, deep in thought.

Blanche’s POV

By the time I reached my room and shut the door, Castro was escorting Zain down the hallway.

Castro’s room sat directly across from mine.

As Castro fumbled with his keys, Zain spoke up, “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Dixon. I’ve got somewhere to crash.”

Before Castro could respond, Zain was rapping on my door.

I opened it to find him standing there, my eyebrows pulling together. “What do you want?”

My tone was flat, missing the warmth and deference I used to show him.

He didn’t wait for permission–just pushed past me into the room.

Castro still stood frozen as Zain quietly closed the door behind him.

The space was basic: bed, desk, small couch, bathroom. The bedspread was pale green with tiny flowers–neat, simple, nothing special.

I planted myself by the door, eyes narrowing. “You barged in here uninvited–what’s your game?” My words had bite, though I wasn’t truly angry.

Zain settled onto the couch, his expensive suit completely out of place here. Meeting my gaze, he said, “Nowhere else to go. I’m staying here tonight.”

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13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

Given the choice, he’d rather sleep where I’d been than some filthy motel–or a bed used by strangers.

I caught the alcohol on his breath and put the pieces together.

I didn’t kick him out. “Fine. Then I’ll find somewhere else to sleep.

Once upon a time, I’d have rushed to embrace him, run him a bath, changed the sheets, laid out comfortable pajamas and slippers.

I wasn’t that naive anymore.

I reached for the door handle, ready to leave when he called out, “Blanche, I need a shower!”

In his mind, I’d always given him whatever he demanded.

He didn’t mean to rely on me–circumstances just left him no choice.

If he could avoid it, he wouldn’t even look at me.

I paused, glanced back. “School facilities are limited. If you want to wash up, you’ll need to use the communal bathhouse.”

He grimaced. “No other option?”

Without cleaning up, he’d never get any sleep.

There was another way, but I wasn’t about to mention it.

“Nope,” I said curtly.

And with that, I walked out.

Letting him have the room was generous enough.

Zain’s POV

Alone, I sat restlessly. The place was spotless, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie down.

I called Desmond. “Get me a driver in town. We’re driving back to the city. Tonight.”

I’d rather spend the night bouncing around in the Rolls than try to rest in here.

Blanche’s POV

I made my way to the school parking lot and climbed into my car. I folded the back seats down, spread out a sheet, and stretched out.

Autumn nights weren’t cold–a light blanket would do.

I’d barely settled in when I heard Desmond’s voice outside, talking to Zain.

“Mr. Jacob, Ms. Vins arrived with Miss Carry. They should be here any second.”

Headlights swept across the lot. A small voice called out as the car stopped, “Daddy…”

Carry launched herself into Zain’s arms, clinging to him like a koala.

“What brings you here?” he asked, looking at Joanna Vins as she stepped out of the vehicle.

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13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

Before Joanna could answer, Carry patted his cheek. “Carry missed Daddy. Miss Joanna missed Daddy too. She kept saying you’d hate the

accommodations here and had to come rescue you”

Zain’s mouth curved slightly. “Aren’t you worried about being late for school tomorrow?”

“I’m more worried you won’t get proper rest.”

That made me think of myself. I’d never considered his comfort like that.

“Let’s not stand around,” Joanna suggested. “Get in.”

Zain lifted Carry into the car, shut the door, then straightened to face Joanna. “I appreciate you coming.”

Under the streetlight, her beautiful face was split perfectly–half bathed in golden light, half lost in shadow. Her eyes held a depth that

was impossible to ignore.

Two figures stood beside the car, enough to make the stars and moon pause their dance.

From where I sat, it looked like they were about to kiss.

Maybe they remembered Carry was watching–so they held back.

Only after the car disappeare

13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

Blanche’s POV 1

When Zain Jacob stood to leave, Castro Dixon got up to walk him out.

I stayed put, quietly pushing my food around the plate.

After dinner, everyone scattered.

Foster and I were both heading back to school, so we took the same route.

The small town stretched out beneath a bright moon and scattered stars, our shadows moving together down the empty road.

Autumn had arrived. Sweet osmanthus bloomed everywhere, filling the air with their heavy perfume.

I’d never been one for small talk, and we walked in silence until Foster finally broke.

“Where did you study, Ms. Callum?”

“Oakwood University.”

“I know someone who went there too.”

“Small world.”

“The principal mentioned you’re returning to Oakwood tomorrow?”

“Yes. My stint here is finished.”

“Then… would you let me take you to dinner sometime?”

I stopped walking, considered his words, then replied, “If you ever make it to Oakwood, I’ll buy you dinner. It would be my pleasure.”

Foster scratched his neck, that easy grin spreading across his face. “Since when do women pay?”

Before we knew it, we’d reached the school entrance.

By the track, Castro lingered in the shadows with Zain. They had a clear view of Blanche and Foster as they walked back together.

“Look at those two, Mr. Jacob,” Castro said with a knowing smile. “Don’t Dr. Callum and Mr. Bobby make a handsome pair?”

Zain’s eyes tracked their movement, his face unreadable.

Zain’s POV

Blanche, I thought, never knew when to stop.

I’d been crystal clear with my rejection, yet she kept pushing–asking when I’d come home.

No surprise I’d stopped answering her calls.

13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

After Carry’s birth, Blanche had been a wreck–hair tangled, clothes reeking of sour milk, skin pale and lifeless. Whatever spark she’d

once possessed had died completely.

I hadn’t laid a finger on her in years. But like it or not, she remained

my

wife.

Yet she seemed to have forgotten that fact–getting cozy with another man.

I remained silent. Castro mistook it for indifference, but couldn’t resist adding, “She’s quality. Any man who gets her will be blessed.”

Blessed?

Was I?

I didn’t buy it. Didn’t give a damn either.

After all, my success had nothing to do with Blanche.

Meanwhile, Blanche and Foster disappeared around the academic building’s corner.

“Mr. Jacob,” Castro said suddenly, “you and Mr. Grey have been drinking. You won’t make it back to the city tonight. Maybe you’d

consider staying at my place?”

The town lacked decent accommodations, and Castro figured a man like me wouldn’t tolerate shabby conditions.

I stared into the distance, deep in thought.

Blanche’s POV

By the time I reached my room and shut the door, Castro was escorting Zain down the hallway.

Castro’s room sat directly across from mine.

As Castro fumbled with his keys, Zain spoke up, “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Dixon. I’ve got somewhere to crash.”

Before Castro could respond, Zain was rapping on my door.

I opened it to find him standing there, my eyebrows pulling together. “What do you want?”

My tone was flat, missing the warmth and deference I used to show him.

He didn’t wait for permission–just pushed past me into the room.

Castro still stood frozen as Zain quietly closed the door behind him.

The space was basic: bed, desk, small couch, bathroom. The bedspread was pale green with tiny flowers–neat, simple, nothing special.

I planted myself by the door, eyes narrowing. “You barged in here uninvited–what’s your game?” My words had bite, though I wasn’t truly angry.

Zain settled onto the couch, his expensive suit completely out of place here. Meeting my gaze, he said, “Nowhere else to go. I’m staying here tonight.”

16.00

<

13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

Given the choice, he’d rather sleep where I’d been than some filthy motel–or a bed used by strangers.

I caught the alcohol on his breath and put the pieces together.

I didn’t kick him out. “Fine. Then I’ll find somewhere else to sleep.

Once upon a time, I’d have rushed to embrace him, run him a bath, changed the sheets, laid out comfortable pajamas and slippers.

I wasn’t that naive anymore.

I reached for the door handle, ready to leave when he called out, “Blanche, I need a shower!”

In his mind, I’d always given him whatever he demanded.

He didn’t mean to rely on me–circumstances just left him no choice.

If he could avoid it, he wouldn’t even look at me.

I paused, glanced back. “School facilities are limited. If you want to wash up, you’ll need to use the communal bathhouse.”

He grimaced. “No other option?”

Without cleaning up, he’d never get any sleep.

There was another way, but I wasn’t about to mention it.

“Nope,” I said curtly.

And with that, I walked out.

Letting him have the room was generous enough.

Zain’s POV

Alone, I sat restlessly. The place was spotless, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie down.

I called Desmond. “Get me a driver in town. We’re driving back to the city. Tonight.”

I’d rather spend the night bouncing around in the Rolls than try to rest in here.

Blanche’s POV

I made my way to the school parking lot and climbed into my car. I folded the back seats down, spread out a sheet, and stretched out.

Autumn nights weren’t cold–a light blanket would do.

I’d barely settled in when I heard Desmond’s voice outside, talking to Zain.

“Mr. Jacob, Ms. Vins arrived with Miss Carry. They should be here any second.”

Headlights swept across the lot. A small voice called out as the car stopped, “Daddy…”

Carry launched herself into Zain’s arms, clinging to him like a koala.

“What brings you here?” he asked, looking at Joanna Vins as she stepped out of the vehicle.

16:00

3/4

>

13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind

Before Joanna could answer, Carry patted his cheek. “Carry missed Daddy. Miss Joanna missed Daddy too. She kept saying you’d hate the

accommodations here and had to come rescue you”

Zain’s mouth curved slightly. “Aren’t you worried about being late for school tomorrow?”

“I’m more worried you won’t get proper rest.”

That made me think of myself. I’d never considered his comfort like that.

“Let’s not stand around,” Joanna suggested. “Get in.”

Zain lifted Carry into the car, shut the door, then straightened to face Joanna. “I appreciate you coming.”

Under the streetlight, her beautiful face was split perfectly–half bathed in golden light, half lost in shadow. Her eyes held a depth that

was impossible to ignore.

Two figures stood beside the car, enough to make the stars and moon pause their dance.

From where I sat, it looked like they were about to kiss.

Maybe they remembered Carry was watching–so they held back.

Only after the car disappeared did tears blur my vision.

Letting go was real. But so was the pain it left behind.

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d did tears blur my vision.

Letting go was real. But so was the pain it left behind.

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Leave the first comment for this chapter.

Send Gifts

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