The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 18

18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna

Blanche’s POV 1

Roger and Irene sat rigid on the living room couch. Tension hung thick in the air, nobody daring to break the silence. Steam rose from

the untouched tea set on the coffee table.

The moment I stepped into the room, Roger straightened. “Blanche, would you make us some tea?” His voice carried a familiar warmth.

“It’s been ages since you’ve brewed a proper cup.”

Before my marriage to Zain, Roger had always savored my tea–making ritual. He’d share business stories while I worked, though back

then I barely listened–just nodded along with polite smiles and empty responses.

The memory stung now. I’d thrown myself at the Jacob family, people who’d never lifted a finger for me. Meanwhile, my own parents had

sacrificed everything to raise me, only to watch me transform into someone else’s devoted servant. The irony was crushing.

“Of course,” I murmured, settling onto the small stool by the tea table. My hands moved through the familiar motions automatically.

Roger and Irene watched in complete silence. I could sense unspoken words hovering between us, but I didn’t pry. I simply waited.

When the tea was ready, I offered Roger his cup. “Here you go, Dad.”

Irene shook her head–she always avoided caffeine after dinner to protect her sleep.

Before my marriage, the Callum household had been genuinely happy. Quinton acted tough but was soft inside, always insisting his baby

sister deserved someone who’d worship the ground she walked on.

Fate had different plans. I ended up with Zain, who felt nothing for me.

When Amber joined our family through Quinton, she embraced me like blood. I’d gained another person who truly cared.

I understood Irene’s nighttime tea avoidance–and knew I was partly to blame. After I’d thrown myself into Jacob family life, Irene had

cried herself to sleep countless nights. Peaceful rest had become nearly impossible for her.

Roger gripped his cup without drinking, studying my face for a long moment before the words finally broke free. “Blanche, divorce is

fine. But that baby? You nearly died bringing her into this world. You need to fight for her.”

His voice grew firm. “Your mother and I have discussed this. Bring her home. We’ll help raise her. Why should the Jacob family keep your

child?”

My chest tightened hearing this. Of course I wanted my daughter with me.

“Dad, it’s not about wanting custody,” I said, staring down at my hands. “Carry doesn’t want to be with me.” The admission felt like

swallowing glass.

Roger’s patience snapped. “Carry’s a girl. Girls need their mothers. If she were a boy, maybe we wouldn’t push so hard for custody. The

Jacob family’s been desperate for a son–how can you let them raise Carry?”

I understood his fear. He worried the Jacobs, with their obvious preference for boys, would mistreat Carry.

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18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna

The Jacobs weren’t good people, but Zain was different. He was her father.

I drew a steady breath. “Dad, Zain is Carry’s father. He won’t hurt her.”

Roger’s voice exploded. “You trust him more than your own family? Blanche, you know who really has that child’s best interests at heart.”

Zain had wounded me deeply with his indifference, but he was devoted to our daughter.

Faced with Roger’s challenge, I couldn’t form a proper response. Instead, I looked at him helplessly. “Dad…”

Roger’s knuckles went white around the teacup. He turned away sharply, moisture gathering in his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice

trembled. “Then at least let me see the child. I haven’t laid eyes on her since the day she was born. She’s your own flesh and blood…”

His words trailed off as Irene quietly pressed tissues to her eyes.

Watching my parents‘ pain twisted my heart.

I’d barely visited the Callum home since my marriage. Worried my family wouldn’t accept Carry, I’d kept her sheltered at Blissfield Villa.

But I’d never realized my parents and brother had hearts big enough to love my child unconditionally.

The problem was Carry’s growing coldness toward me. I honestly wasn’t sure I could convince her to visit the Callum family now.

Irene rubbed Roger’s back, her own eyes red–rimmed as she looked at me. “Your father hasn’t slept properly in recent days over this.

Ever since Carry was born, he’s been collecting little gifts for her, hoping you’d bring her home so he could finally give them to her.”

Her voice thickened. “We supported your divorce decision. But Carry’s your own daughter. It’s not like we can’t afford to care for her.

Why hand her over to the Jacob family like that? Even if you don’t get custody, shouldn’t Carry know who her grandparents are? Your

father and I just want to see our granddaughter. That’s all we’re asking”

I stared at the table’s pattern, my vision blurring. After a long silence, I finally whispered, “Okay. I’ll try.”

I could abandon the custody fight. But my parents‘ heartfelt plea was impossible to ignore. They were simply grandparents longing to meet their granddaughter.

Late that night, I stepped out of the shower. Wrapped in my towel, I stood motionless before my vanity mirror.

After several minutes of internal debate, I decided to call Zain. Usually he’d ignore my calls, but tonight he answered immediately.

“What do you want?” Zain’s voice, once the sound I’d craved most, came through the line.

I felt nothing–no flutter, no warmth. That reaction was long dead.

“Is Carry there?” My tone was flat, businesslike, as if I were speaking to a complete stranger.

“She is,” Zain replied.

“Put her on. I need to speak with her,” I said without hesitation.

Zain didn’t respond verbally, but I heard him call out nearby, “Carry. Your mom’s on the phone. Come take this.”

Carry’s voice immediately cut through, dripping with hostility. “No. I don’t want to talk to her.”

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X 18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna

Carry was maintaining her stance against me. Her teacher had taught her that people earned forgiveness by admitting mistakes and making amends.

Carry had decided: ‘Until Mom apologizes, I won’t make peace with her!

I had no idea what was going through Carry’s mind, and I wasn’t about to guess. If she didn’t want to talk, I wouldn’t force her.

Just as I was about to hang up, Zain’s voice suddenly lurned sharp. “Carry Jacob.”

Using her full name meant Zain was seriously angry.

Carry feared her father and instinctively flinched.

But still pouting, she muttered, “Dad, Mom’s the one who did wrong. She hasn’t even apologized to Miss Joanna yet. Why should I take

her call?”

Hearing Carry’s words left me completely bewildered.

“What do you mean?” I asked without thinking.

Zain looked away from Carry and shot back coldly, “You tell me.”

Before I could process anything, Joanna’s gentle voice drifted through from Zain’s end. “Come on, Carry, bath time. You have school

tomorrow.”

I couldn’t take another second. I slammed the phone down, my legs giving out. I had to grip the vanity edge to keep from collapsing.

Carry’s words shredded my heart. I had absolutely no clue what I’d supposedly done wrong in her eyes.

The thought of Zain and Joanna together made me physically ill. I’d barely given up the title of Mrs. Jacob, and they were already rushing to play happy family.

I thought bitterly, ‘I guess Zain couldn’t wait to share Joanna’s bed every night, instead of showing the complete disinterest he’d always

shown me.’

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