The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 148

148 Chapter 148 A Fresh And Vicious Cut

Blanche’s POV 1

After I bit him, Zain released me. He unlocked the car door, and I practically flew out of there.

I could feel his eyes tracking my escape as I hurried away, probably wearing that smug expression he always gets.

When I made it back to the lawn, Noelle was already breaking down Dorian’s easel.

Camila had wrapped up her homework and was now entertaining Dorian with some game.

Carry, with Heidi lending a hand, had somehow managed to complete her “Autumn” painting, though it looked like quite the battle.

Everyone was accounted for except Vincent.

I swept the area, searching for any trace of him, but came up empty. He must’ve had business to handle and took off.

Noelle finished packing and instructed Dorian to make his rounds saying goodbye.

After I bid them farewell, I moved to help Camila collect her belongings.

Once Noelle and Dorian departed, Camila sidled up close to me and whispered, “Aunt Blanche, can we grab dinner out tonight? I’m

craving pizza something fierce.”

I shot Camila an amused look. “Your mom specifically said we’re all eating at home tonight, remember?”

Camila brandished her smartwatch. “Mom just rang me up. Family dinner’s off the table since Dad’s pulling an all–nighter, and she’s

camping out with him at the office.”

I considered this development. “Let me verify with your mom first.”

Camila bounced on her toes. “Perfect.”

I dialed Amber to confirm Camila’s dinner request. She gave the green light but rattled off a string of precautions before disconnecting.

I filed away Amber’s instructions and pocketed my phone.

The moment I looked up, Zain and Joanna caught my attention.

They strolled side by side toward the lawn, deep in conversation about something that had them both grinning like idiots.

Zain sported a bandage plastered across his face, clearly hiding my handiwork.

Carry spotted Joanna and bolted over, practically glowing. “Miss Joanna, you made it!”

Her voice carried deliberately, as if she wanted to make sure I caught every syllable.

Joanna bent down to scoop up Carry, hoisting her into the air.

Rising back up, Joanna seemed to lose her balance–though it looked suspiciously intentional–and swayed backward. Zain’s hands shot to her waist, steadying her.

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148 Chapter 148 A Fresh And Vicious Cut

“Everything alright?” His voice dripped honey.

Joanna shook her head, that soft smile spreading across her features. “I’m perfectly fine, Zain”

Zain’s fingers gently swept her hair aside, his voice dropping to an intimate murmur. “We should head back. Your aunt shouldn’t be left

waiting.”

Joanna’s shy nod was answer enough. “Of course.”

Zain extended his arms toward Carry. “Come here, sweetheart. Let Daddy take over–it’s quite a trek, and Miss Joanna shouldn’t strain

herself.”

Carry’s face fell slightly. “Okay.”

Joanna protested with a smile. “Zain, really, I can manage her just fine.”

But Zain had already made his decision and lifted Carry himself.

With Joanna’s arrival, Carry acted like I’d become invisible.

Zain didn’t spare me so much as a glance.

Father and daughter–definitely carved from the same block of ice.

Heidi caught my eye with an apologetic expression.

But she was staff, not family, and smart enough to stay out of their personal drama.

Camila glanced toward Zain and Joanna’s little tableau.

Sensing my potential discomfort, Camila squeezed my hand gently. “Aunt Blanche, should we get going too?”

I dragged my attention away from the scene, gathered our supplies with one hand, and clasped Camila’s with the other.

After leaving the park, I made a beeline for the nearest pizzeria.

Once we claimed our table, I let Camila take charge of ordering.

Camila requested a pizza and fresh juice while I settled on a burger.

Right after we placed our order, Dorian’s voice cut through the restaurant chatter. “Aunt Blanche?”

I spun around to find Dorian alongside Vincent, who’d vanished from the park earlier.

I acknowledged Dorian first, then addressed Vincent formally. “Mr. Aarav.”

Vincent noticed me too, but this encounter was purely coincidental.

He’d been nursing a foul mood since this afternoon, and stumbling across the source of his irritation only darkened his expression

further.

Vincent ignored my greeting entirely, his gaze sliding away dismissively.

But Dorian had other plans and planted himself right beside me.

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148 Chapter 148 A Fresh And Vicious Cut

Dorian remained oblivious to the afternoon’s drama and was still playing matchmaker between Vincent and me.

Despite knowing Camila might object, he claimed the seat anyway.

Vincent’s expression tightened, as if he wanted to order Dorian away, but he held his tongue, letting the moment pass.

Dorian turned to Vincent expectantly. “Uncle Vincent, come join us!”

Vincent exhaled heavily and took a scat.

I offered Vincent the menu. “Could you help me figure out what Dorian might enjoy? I’m not familiar with his preferences.”

Vincent accepted the menu without acknowledging my question.

He barely glanced at the options before jabbing at two random items. “These’ll work.”

I memorized his selections and flagged down our server.

Vincent didn’t attempt to grab the check, so I covered everything.

While we waited for our food, an uncomfortable silence settled over the table.

When the pizza and burgers finally arrived, I realized Vincent hadn’t ordered anything for himself.

I studied his profile–he seemed completely unlike his usual self.

I couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but lately, he’d been maintaining this cold distance.

Though honestly, it made perfect sense. Once the novelty wore off, guys stopped with their bold gestures or playful banter.

Maybe this was better. We’d never really inhabited the same universe anyway.

After collecting myself, I addressed Vincent carefully. “Mr. Aarav, aren’t you hungry?”

I kept my tone professional and detached, maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Vincent responded, his voice curt. “I’m too pissed off to eat.”

I frowned at his obvious agitation but decided not to push.

When I dropped the subject, Vincent’s expression darkened further, though he said nothing.

The kids could sense the tension crackling between us.

After finishing their meals, Dorian tapped Camila’s hand. “Camila, want to check out those building blocks?”

Camila’s face brightened immediately. She nodded enthusiastically, eager for the distraction.

With the children occupied elsewhere, Vincent and I faced each other across an increasingly strained silence.

I polished off my burger and downed half my juice.

Vincent remained slumped in his chair, brooding in his private storm cloud. The awkwardness was becoming suffocating.

I didn’t bother attempting conversation and instead focused on my phone.

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148 Chapter 148 A Fresh And Vicious Cut

Nothing particularly engaging populated my feed, so I mindlessly scrolled through social media updates.

Mid–scroll, I suddenly recalled Vincent’s injured finger.

I glanced up to find Vincent staring directly at me, his eyes burning with quiet resentment.

I did my best to ignore his intensity and said, “Let me see your finger.”

Vincent continued glaring, making his annoyance crystal clear.

But when I mentioned his injury first, he seemed caught off guard and quickly averted his gaze.

He couldn’t possibly show me his finger in its current state, so he stood abruptly. “Restroom break.”

I watched Vincent’s retreating form.

Something was definitely off about his behavior, but I couldn’t identify exactly what.

Vincent returned shortly after.

He dropped back into his chair and thrust his finger toward me. “Go ahead, take a look.”

I examined Vincent’s finger, wrapped in tissue that was completely saturated with blood.

I’d packed some antiseptic and bandages in my bag in case Camila needed first aid while we were out.

After retrieving the supplies, I carefully unwrapped the tissue from Vincent’s finger.

What I discovered was a deep, vicious cut glaring back at me.

I paused momentarily, keeping my expression carefully neutral as I assessed the damage.

My medical training told me immediately that this wound was fresh–and bore absolutely no resemblance to the injury I’d seen in his

social media post that morning.

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