The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 152

18:36

Swipe Left To Continue >

AIR

<

152 Chapter 152 The First Step Apart

152 Chapter 152 The First Step Apart

Blanche’s POV 1

Vincent grabbed his coat and headed toward the window, but suddenly froze mid–step.

He stood in the center of my bedroom, completely still.

For what felt like forever, he didn’t budge.

I kept my eyes locked on him, refusing to look away, my heart quietly breaking.

Then Vincent turned around. He draped his coat over his shoulder, one finger hooked through the collar.

He was sober now, but that roguish appeal still made him devastatingly handsome.

“Your promises mean nothing. I’m done listening,” Vincent said, his voice rough and rebellious.

If I ever actually kept my word, I wouldn’t have broken every promise I’d made.

I was just a liar, and he wasn’t going to fall for it anymore.

I listened to Vincent, feeling lost and wanting to say something more, but he’d already turned away.

But just as he reached the window, Vincent spun around, marched over to the bed, cupped my face in his hands, and pressed a fierce kiss

to my forehead.

After the kiss, Vincent licked his lips with satisfaction.

“Guess that makes me pathetic,” he muttered.

With that, he snatched his coat and bolted.

I sat on the massive bed, staring at the empty window. Vincent had vanished, leaving nothing but silence.

He was gone, but his scent still lingered in the room.

I collapsed back, my eyes blankly fixed on the ceiling.

Slowly, I just drifted into a haze.

Zain’s POV

It was barely dawn when I finally returned home.

Joanna had been waiting all night. The moment she heard me enter, she jumped up from the couch.

As soon as I stepped inside, Joanna rushed over. “Zain, you’re finally back.”

I took one look at Joanna’s worn–out face, my brows furrowing. “Why didn’t you get some sleep?”

175

<

152 Chapter 152 The First Step Apart

Joanna shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep without you here.”

I reached out and gently stroked her cheek, my voice low and rough. “You silly girl.”

Joanna’s eyes were red–rimmed, but she stayed silent. She just shook her head.

I looked at her and smiled tenderly. “Go get some rest. Don’t just stand there, okay?”

Joanna still seemed worried, but she asked hesitantly, “How’s your grandfather?”

My eyes were bloodshot. At her question, I let out a weary sigh. “It’s not good. I’ll probably need to stay at Jacob Manor for a while.”

Hearing that, Joanna looked down, sounding crushed. “Okay…”

I saw how dejected she was and gently comforted her, “Once my grandpa gets better, I’ll keep my word.”

Joanna’s eyes filled with tears that spilled over. “I’m okay, really. I just don’t want Mom worrying too much.”

I checked the clock. It was nearly morning.

At this time, Lillian would probably be waking up soon.

After a moment’s thought, I said, “Don’t worry. I’ll go speak with her.”

After saying that, I walked to Lillian’s room and knocked.

Joanna wanted to stop me, but it was too late.

“Come in,” Lillian called from inside.

I pushed the door open and greeted her with a smile. “Hi, Mrs. Vins.”

As for what the two of us discussed after that, Joanna had no clue.

While she waited in the living room, Joanna could hear Lillian bursting into laughter every so often.

Soon, I emerged from the room.

Joanna approached, looking puzzled. “Zain, what did you tell Mom? Why is she so cheerful?”

I played it mysterious. “That’s classified.”

Joanna didn’t press further. If I wanted to share, I would.

Besides, even if I stayed quiet, she could just ask Lillian directly.

After I took Joanna upstairs, I told Heidi to wake Carry.

Back in my room, I texted Blanche.

I wrote: “Can we meet and talk?”

Blanche replied: “If it’s not about the divorce, there’s no point in meeting.”

I wrote: “It involves the divorce. And with my grandpa hospitalized, even if you avoid me today, you’ll run into me at the hospital

18:36

215

152 Chapter 152 The First Step Apart

eventually.”

Blanche got it. If she didn’t agree to meet now, I’d just track her down at work anyway.

But by then, things might get messy.

In the end, Blanche caved, and we set a time and place.

Noon at a café.

Blanche’s POV

When I arrived, Zain had already polished off his coffee.

After I sat down, Zain cut straight to business.

“My grandpa’s still hospitalized. For now, we need to maintain appearances and act like a devoted couple. It’ll help his recovery.

“Once he’s stable, we can go to the courthouse and handle the divorce proceedings.”

I replied. “I can keep up the charade for your grandpa’s sake, and I can fake being a loving wife. But we should at least file for the divorce

cooling–off period now. By the time that’s finished, your grandfather should be much better.”

Zain said nothing, just stared at me with conflicted eyes.

After a few beats, I added, “Even after we divorce, I’ll still be there for your grandpa.”

Zain pressed, “What about having another baby?”

I shot him down instantly. “I’m not having another child. Absolutely not.”

Zain frowned. “If you fake a pregnancy, you know the truth will surface eventually.”

“Zain, you could have a baby with anyone else. Seriously, why does it have to be me?” I said.

Honestly, I was exhausted by this entire conversation.

Zain got irritated now. “Me? Have a kid with someone else? Not happening.”

I looked him dead in the eye, completely unfazed. “Why not?”

Joanna had already moved into Blissfield Villa, and Carry basically treated her like her actual mother.

He and Joanna could easily have a child together.

Zain stared at me, completely stunned. He’d never seen me this direct before.

Back then, I used to go along with whatever Zain wanted.

But now, I was nothing like that person anymore.

Zain gave up arguing. “This is useless. Let’s just table the divorce talk while my grandpa’s in the hospital. When he’s home, we can sort

18.36

<

152 Chapter 152 The First Step Apart

out the rest.”

I didn’t want to hear anymore. I stood up and said, “Fine, I won’t mention the divorce for now, but we still need to start the next phase-

the cooling–off period.”

That cooling–off period was still waiting, and I was in no mood to drag this out any longer.

Zain hadn’t slept at all, and with me relentlessly pushing to move forward with the next step, his head was throbbing from all my

persistence.

I wore him down. He just couldn’t fight me anymore.

So, he finally gave in. “Honestly, I have no clue where my grandpa stashed our marriage certificate, but if you’re really determined to get

this rolling, we can get a replacement this afternoon.”

Seeing him surrender, I immediately agreed. “Okay, let’s go right now.”

There wasn’t much time left before work, and I was desperate to finish this and start the cooling–off period.

Before we left, I realized we’d need those red background ID photos for the replacement marriage certificate, so Zain and I went

together to get them taken.

Unlike all the other couples at the registry, soaking up the romance and making it an event, Zain and I looked like we belonged in

different universes. Even just standing next to each other felt painfully uncomfortable.

We barely survived the photo session, then headed straight to the marriage certificate office to get our replacement certificate.

I didn’t hesitate before filing for divorce the second I got the marriage certificate.

The staff handed us the forms, and I blazed through mine without missing a beat.

While Zain filled out his form, he glanced up at me. I looked like I couldn’t wait to finish this. She’s really rushing to end things, he

thought, somewhat rattled.

Once we completed everything, the staff explained the process and said that starting today, we’d have a cooling–off period. After that, we could get our divorce certificate. But during that time, either of us could withdraw if we wanted to.

As we walked out of the courthouse, I stared at the “Divorce Registration Application Receipt” in my hand. I finally felt like a massive

burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

Zain saw me exhale in relief, and honestly, he couldn’t even identify what he was feeling right now.

He just told me, “Tonight, I’ll pick you up at the hospital. Grandpa will be thrilled to see us together.”

I agreed quietly, “Mm.”

4/5