The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 16

16 Chapter 16 That Is My Daughter

16 Chapter 16 That Is My Daughter

Zain’s POV

I steadied Carry, preventing her from losing balance. Following her pointing finger, I caught sight of Blanche and that Demetrius guy

from earlier, sitting there in the shadows.

They’d claimed the VIP section–the exact seats Carry and I always occupied whenever I brought her to Joanna’s performances.

‘Demetrius must’ve been the one who secured that particular location.‘

The thought crossed my mind as I watched them.

Right then, as the crowd’s applause thundered around us, Demetrius whispered something close to Blanche’s ear. A genuine smile

crossed her face–something I rarely witnessed when she was with me.

From my vantage point nearby, I could see everything clearly.

Blanche never looked that relaxed around me. Her smiles were always forced, calculated to keep me satisfied.

This was my first time seeing Blanche offer that authentic expression to another man. Something more than friendship might be

brewing between them, though I didn’t let myself dwell on the possibility.

I shifted my attention back to Carry, who was staring up at me expectantly. “Yeah, that’s your mom,” I confirmed with a slight nod.

Carry’s anxiety spiked at my confirmation. “But Mom’s married to Daddy, right? Why’s she acting so cozy with some other guy?” Her

voice carried a sharp edge. “Look how they’re whispering together. They look ready to kiss.”

I remained silent, my gaze drifting back toward Blanche. She and Demetrius appeared completely absorbed in their ongoing discussion.

I had no answer for Carry’s question.

Instead, I ran my fingers through her hair. “Pay attention to the show. Miss Joanna only has one song remaining.”

Though clearly dissatisfied, Carry accepted my redirect with a reluctant sigh. “Fine.”

Blanche’s POV

As applause swept through the venue, Demetrius noticed my distracted state. He moved closer. “Something bothering you?” he

murmured.

I forced a smile and shook my head. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Unconvinced, Demetrius pressed his fingertips against my wrist. My pulse seemed normal, but my expression must have given me away.

Concerned he might worry unnecessarily, I whispered, “I’m really okay. Don’t overthink this.”

Demetrius’s eyes held that familiar stubborn glint. He wouldn’t drop it, silently demanding an explanation.

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I surrendered, dropping my voice even lower. “Rena Vins, that piano virtuoso everyone’s praising, is actually Joanna–the woman you met this morning.”

I’d quietly discovered Joanna’s stage identity through her online content.

Demetrius looked surprised. Despite the veil concealing most of the performer’s features, I’d still recognized her.

When Demetrius’s attention returned to the stage, his expression held newfound respect.

Unaware that Joanna was the other woman destroying my marriage, he simply appreciated a gifted performer commanding the

spotlight.

Demetrius leaned in, admiration evident in his tone. “Joanna was pre–med back then, even secured graduate admission for surgical

training. Who would’ve guessed she possessed this level of artistic ability?”

He shook his head in amazement. “She’s built quite a reputation too. Friends who’ve attended her shows can’t stop praising her

technique. Now I understand their enthusiasm.”

Joanna maintained her veiled mystique at every performance. She’d mastered that enigmatic presence perfectly. Audiences came for her

skill, her beauty, or simply to witness that graceful silhouette.

Simply put, Joanna excelled at everything.

A chill ran down my spine as Demetrius continued speaking. I couldn’t deny his assessment was accurate.

I maintained my composed smile, keeping my voice steady. “She’s absolutely brilliant,” I agreed, meaning every word.

‘Naturally Joanna’s extraordinary. She’s Zain’s chosen woman, I thought.

Demetrius hesitated, seemingly surprised. “You outshine her completely,” he said firmly.

I caught the misunderstanding–Demetrius assumed I was making comparisons.

But I hadn’t been. I’d simply stated facts.

I didn’t bother clarifying. Instead, I smiled quietly. “That’s kind of you to say. But I’m realistic about my limitations.”

Demetrius seemed startled. The transformation in me clearly struck him. The confident, ambitious woman he’d once known now carried

genuine self–doubt.

During medical school, I’d maintained top rankings, secured guaranteed graduate placement, and received invitations to prestigious

research opportunities. Yet I’d chosen marriage instead.

Demetrius’s gaze wandered back toward the stage. Joanna looked radiant–her flowing white dress, her elegant form basking in the

audience’s worship. After a long pause, he turned back to me.

“Remove the spotlight, and we’re all just regular people,” Demetrius said softly.

I didn’t respond further. I simply offered a gentle smile.

Regret was familiar territory for me. If I’d continued with medicine, I’d have established my career by now. But life doesn’t offer endless

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second chances.

As the concert concluded, Joanna took a deep bow to the cheering audience. Deafening applause filled the building. Even I found myself

joining the ovation.

I probably harbored resentment toward Joanna. But I understood clearly that Zain had been the real error in judgment.

That realization brought peace. I’d found acceptance. Some situations simply unfold as they’re meant to.

When Joanna straightened, her eyes automatically searched the VIP section where Zain and Carry typically sat. Instead, she found

Demetrius and me occupying those seats.

Brief surprise crossed Joanna’s features.

Then she quickly located Zain and Carry in the nearby area. She flashed them a warm smile and motioned for them to meet her

backstage.

As the crowd began dispersing, Demetrius and I finally rose to leave.

Suddenly, Carry raced toward the stage with outstretched arms. “Miss Joanna!”

Her face radiated pure admiration and pride. Anyone could see she considered Joanna worth boasting about at school.

When it came to her actual mother, she honestly couldn’t identify anything remarkable to mention.

Carry bounded onto the stage and disappeared behind the curtain, wrapping her arms around Joanna. “Miss Joanna, you’re gorgeous.

When I’m older, I want to be beautiful just like you.”

Joanna embraced her back, stroking her hair. “Such a charming flatterer–you’ll grow up even more beautiful than me.”

Those words struck me like a physical assault. I froze completely, my legs refusing to function.

Demetrius sensed something was wrong. He positioned himself in front of me, finally noticing the tears gathering in my eyes. Alarmed,

he leaned down slightly. “What’s happening?” he asked softly.

I finally cracked. Through my tears, I looked at Demetrius and confessed, “That’s my daughter.”

Demetrius was speechless. He turned toward the stage.

There was Joanna, still in her performance gown, kneeling as she chatted cheerfully with Carry. The scene looked so natural–as if they

truly were mother and daughter.

“And that man from this morning was…” Demetrius began carefully.

I pressed my lips together. “My husband,” I admitted, the words feeling like lead.

Demetrius was even more shocked, but he looked down. “I’m sorry.”

It had never occurred to him that the man and child from the restaurant were my own husband and daughter.

They’d been so close, yet neither had acknowledged me–not even my little girl had called out to her mother.

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16 Chapter 16 That Is My Daughter

‘She must have been deeply miserable,‘ Demetrius realized. Hurt enough that even someone as patient as Blanche would seek divorce.

Reaching that decision could only mean she’d abandoned all hope,

I took a moment to collect myself. Then I managed a small smile. “None of that’s important anymore. I respect their choice”

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17 Chapter 17 Anything She Tries

17 Chapter 17 Anything She Tries