The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 181

181 Chapter 181 Retreating To The Background

181 Chapter 181 Retreating To The Background

Blanche’s POV 1

I hadn’t slept a wink all night, and exhaustion weighed on me like a lead blanket.

Zain’s words twisted the knot in my chest tighter.

I clenched my jaw, drew a shaky breath, and met his gaze with ice in my voice. “You want it? Make it yourself. I’m only cooking for Carry.”

He studied my bloodshot eyes, the dark circles carved beneath them like bruises. When I spoke, his frown deepened, clearly disturbed by

my tone.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating, until he finally broke it. “You never used to act like this. What’s gotten into you?

I just asked for extra porridge–it’s not exactly unreasonable.”

Something inside me snapped. I spun around, fury blazing through every word. “Zain, you said it yourself–that was before. People

change. Nobody stays frozen in time, and neither do I.”

He rarely saw me lose control like this, but lately, my temper had been a live wire.

His expression hardened, voice cutting like a blade. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was starting to see me and Carry as a burden. “If

you’re this screwed up, see a shrink. Taking it out on me won’t fix whatever’s broken in your head.”

His words hit me like a slap. I stared at him, stunned, before a bitter laugh escaped my throat. “You know what, Zain? You’re absolutely

right. Something is wrong with me–I must’ve been completely insane to fall for you, and brain–dead to think having a baby could chain.

you down. Blanche, the ultimate fool. Nobody’s stupider than me.”

Something flickered across his face, like he realized he’d crossed a line.

He stepped forward, reaching for my arm, but I shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me, Zain. I don’t want your hands on me.”

My whole body trembled with rage.

The spoon was still clutched in my fist. I’d just dumped rice into the pot when he’d barged into the kitchen, interrupting everything.

Seeing me shake seemed to unnerve him. Panic flashed in his eyes as he reached toward me again, maybe trying to calm me down.

Before his fingers could make contact, fury exploded through me. I swung the spoon at him with everything I had.

He couldn’t dodge in time. The metal connected with his forehead with a sharp crack.

Pain contorted his features. He touched his brow, fingers coming away bloody.

I watched the crimson trickle down his face, feeling nothing. My voice came out deadly calm. “Zain, the only thing connecting us now is Carry. From this moment on, I won’t–and don’t want to–have anything else to do with you. Maybe I loved you once, but that’s ancient history. From now on, you’re nothing but my ex–husband–a permanent stain on my life story.”

I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned and walked out of the kitchen.

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181 Chapter 181 Retreating To The Background

In the living room, Lillian sprawled on the couch, munching popcorn while staring at the TV.

I glanced at her briefly, then strode straight through without a word.

After Blanche stormed out, Lillian tossed her popcorn aside and wandered into the kitchen.

She’d caught pieces of their fight from the living room.

The details didn’t matter–just knowing they were tearing each other apart filled Lillian with secret satisfaction. Now her daughter might

finally have her shot.

When she spotted blood streaming down Zain’s forehead, she rushed over, worry painted across her features. “Zain, are you okay? Why

did she have to be so violent?”

Zain said nothing, just shrugged off her reaching hand.

Blood dripped from his brow down his cheek into his eye. He blinked it away, face like stone, then walked out without a word.

Lillian was startled by his dismissal, but then a sly smile crept across her lips.

By the time I left Blissfield Villa, morning had broken completely.

The weather outside matched my mood–gray and miserable, with dampness clinging to everything.

Work would start soon, but with Carry hospitalized, I needed to request several days off.

After securing my leave, I remembered I still had to bring breakfast to Carry.

I hit several porridge shops before finding one that met my standards.

When I finally reached the hospital, Carry was still sleeping.

I settled quietly beside her bed, watching her pale little face, my heart clenching with each shallow breath.

For quite a while, she lay motionless before her eyes finally fluttered open.

Joy flickered across her features when she saw me, but somehow, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t form the word “Mom.”

I didn’t show the slightest irritation.

Instead, I crouched beside her, voice gentle with patience. “Feeling any better?”

I touched her forehead–much cooler than before.

She swallowed, each movement sending razor–sharp pain through her throat. Her eyes reddened, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Knowing she was suffering, I softened my voice even more. “Mommy brought porridge. Try to eat a little, then rest some more.”

She nodded weakly. “Mm.”

I helped her sit up, cleaned her face, then carefully spooned porridge toward her lips.

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181 Chapter 181 Retreating To The Background

She tried a small bite but immediately spat it out.

I caught the mess with tissues, worry flooding my voice. “What’s wrong? Is it making you sick?”

She pouted, voice scratchy and small. “This isn’t your porridge, Mom. I want the kind you always make.”

My heart squeezed remembering the porridge Lillian had destroyed. I had no choice but to soothe her softly. “Be good, Carry. Just have a few bites now, okay? At lunch, Mom will make something delicious, exactly how you like it.”

She looked up at me, taking in the exhaustion etched across my face. But instead of sympathy, I saw only frustration burning in her eyes.

The longer she stared, the more wronged she seemed to feel.

It was clear from her expression that she felt wronged, as if thinking, “If Mom didn’t really care, then I’d rather she wasn’t here at all.”

She turned away, curling up on the bed. “Just go handle your own stuff. Dad and Miss Joanna are here anyway.”

Even though she dismissed me, I kept my composure and patiently explained, “Carry, I’m a pediatric surgeon. You know this flu means

fever for several days, and these first days are critical. I’ve already taken several days off to stay with you.”

My tone bordered on pleading, but she remained unmoved. “It’s fine. I don’t need you here.”

“Then just one day. Please?” I tried to compromise.

But she held firm. “Really, you don’t have to. Just go take care of your own things.”

Wave after wave of coldness crashed through me, the kind that stabbed straight to the heart–but for her sake, I stayed put. No matter

how much distance she created, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

Even if she rejected me, even if she completely ignored me, I was determined to remain by her side.

I would grit my teeth and survive these first crucial days after that, maybe I’d finally consider stepping back, if that’s truly what she

wanted.

But if I let my guard down even slightly during these critical hours, Carry’s life could be at risk.

I’d witnessed it firsthand–children whose lives were suddenly stolen when high fevers triggered unstoppable seizures.

Even though Zain and I were heading for divorce, Carry was my only daughter–the child I’d brought into this world at the cost of my

own life. There was no way I could ever stop loving her.

No way I could walk away.

She refused her breakfast entirely. Seeing my determination to stay, she simply fell silent.

As noon approached, I was about to call Zain and ask him to watch Carry so I could go home and cook lunch for her.

But before I could dial, the hospital room door swung open.

At the sound, I turned and saw Zain enter first, with Joanna right behind him.

She carried a small lunchbox.

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181 Chapter 181 Retreating To The Background

When Carry spotted them, exhaustion vanished from her face. She called out with pure excitement, “Dad! Miss Joanna! You guys are

here!”

They approached the bedside together while I quietly retreated into the background.

As I stepped into the corner, my hand unconsciously curled into a tight fist, tension hidden in the subtle movement.

The moment Miss Joanna settled beside the bed, Carry sat up and threw herself into her arms. “Miss Joanna, I missed you so much! I’m

so happy you finally came to see me.”

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