The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 19

<

19 Chapter 19 The Old Mans Ultimatum

19 Chapter 19 The Old Mans Ultimatum

Zain’s POV

The next morning, I walked downstairs to find Carry already at the dining table, picking at her breakfast. I took my seat without

bothering to glance her way.

She kept her gaze fixed on her plate. The kid knew I was pissed.

Last night’s stunt–ignoring Blanche’s call on purpose–hadn’t earned her a lecture or punishment. But my silence now said everything. I

hadn’t even bothered with a goodnight.

Carry could tell I was furious. Really furious.

“Daddy…” She turned toward me cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.

My phone buzzed. I picked up without acknowledging her. Jacob Manor’s number flashed on the screen.

Oswald’s voice came through sharp with irritation. “Too long, Zain. That’s how long it’s been since you brought Carry and Blanche to see

1. me. Your father’s birthday came and went–I had business associates over, couldn’t even visit with you properly. Think I’m six feet under

because I haven’t called? Planning to cut me off from seeing my granddaughter and Blanche completely?”

Oswald’s temper was legendary, but so was his place in our family hierarchy. He’d built Jacob Group from nothing. Without his

foundation, the Jacob name wouldn’t carry the weight it does in Oakwood.

I’d grown up under his watchful eye.

We were tight.

Honestly, without that bond between us, even if Blanche had held a blade to my throat demanding marriage, I probably wouldn’t have

blinked.

Only when Oswald laid down the law did I cave to the arrangement.

His bitter complaints pulled a slight smile from me. “We’ll head back once things calm down.”

The old man wasn’t buying it. “Calm down? When exactly will that be? Zain, quit dancing around the point. I want a date. Solid. If you

don’t bring Carry and Blanche back here, don’t bother visiting me again.”

I knew Oswald’s pressure tactics by heart, but I still felt my jaw tighten. “Maybe in the next few days.”

He steamrolled right over me. “Tonight. Final answer.”

Thesitated. “Tonight’s cutting it close-”

“If you want me rotting away alone in this house, then keep making excuses.

The line went dead.

I stared at the silent phone before setting it down.

20.47

174

<

19 Chapter 19 The Old Mans Ultimatum

Carry bounced over. “Daddy, was that Mr. Oswald?”

Father–daughter grudges never lasted long. This time I didn’t shut her out. “Yeah. He wants to see you.”

Her legs started swinging with excitement. “Yes! I haven’t seen Mr. Oswald forever. I miss him tons.”

Oswald spoiled Carry rotten. Every treat she craved, every toy she wanted–hers. I thought he overdid it, which was exactly why I kept

our visits sparse.

Watching her light up, I decided to be direct. “Your mom’s coming with us.”

Her face fell. “Then I don’t want to go.”

I wouldn’t force her. Using Oswald as leverage seemed smarter. “If you don’t come, Mr. Oswald’s going to be crushed.”

That softened her resolve. “Okay,” she sighed. “I’ll come with you, Daddy.”

I smiled slightly and left it at that.

A while later, I dialed Blanche. I rarely called first–didn’t even have her number saved. Had to search by the last few digits.

She picked up almost immediately.

Blanche’s POV

“What is it?” Impatience crept into my voice.

Zain paused before responding. “Grandpa Oswald wants us at Jacob Manor tonight. Says he misses Carry and you.”

I was behind the wheel when he spoke. Silence stretched between us for a moment. When I finally answered, my voice came out

strained. “Understood.”

If nothing else, I owed Oswald this visit. He’d shown me more kindness than anyone else in the Jacob family. That generosity deserved

recognition.

Zain didn’t seem surprised by my agreement. “I’ll pick you up this afternoon then.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll drive myself”

My response clearly caught him off guard. The old Blanche would’ve been thrilled by his offer to pick me up. Now my tone was

completely neutral

Zain didn’t push back Instead “Could you grab Carry on your way?”

“It’s not on my route,” I replied. “You get her

Did he even know where I worked?

The hospital sat in the opposite direction from Carry’s preschool Collecting her first would mean a much longer trek to Jacob Manor.

Though honestly, the “not on my route” excuse was just that–an excuse. The real truth was I genuinely didn’t want extended contact

<

19 Chapter 19 The Old Mans Ultimatum

with Carry right now.

The daughter I’d carried through hell now only saw Joanna’s virtues.

If my own child couldn’t be bothered to care about me, I wouldn’t twist myself into knots for nothing in return.

Besides, Carry probably wouldn’t want me picking her up anyway.

Zain went quiet, but I’d already ended the call.

Zain’s POV

I noticed the driver was waiting outside, but Carry lingered indoors. I could tell she was waiting for me to wrap up my call.

Despite still being angry with Blanche, I sensed Carry couldn’t help feeling hurt that Blanche wasn’t trying to patch things up.

Hearing Blanche flat–out refuse to pick her up on the phone seemed to deepen whatever resentment was building in her. I imagined she

might be thinking: ‘I didn’t even say if I’d let Mom pick me up. How can she just decide not to come?‘

I pocketed my phone and noticed Carry still hadn’t moved. “Why aren’t you leaving?” I asked, confused.

Carry scowled. “Mom’s spoiled because of you.”

That struck me as strange. I couldn’t remember ever spoiling Blanche. But I didn’t feel like explaining it to Carry.

“Get to school,” I said. “I’ll pick you up this afternoon.” With that, I headed upstairs.

I watched as Carry remained at the table a bit longer. Finally, she slid off her chair, and I heard her grumble, “Hmph, I don’t want a bad

mom like her anyway.”

Blanche’s POV

By late afternoon, I was ready to clock out when paramedics rushed a kid with a fractured leg into the emergency room.

Seeing the severity, I stayed behind to assist the attending physician with treatment. By the time we stabilized the patient, it was already

well into the evening.

I changed out of my scrubs, jumped in my car downstairs, and drove frantically toward Jacob Manor. Even speeding, I didn’t arrive until much later than planned.

The household staff spotted me entering and immediately approached with greetings.

Before I even reached the living room entrance, Oswald’s angry voice carried out. “Blanche still isn’t here, and you didn’t think to call and check on her? What woman doesn’t want a considerate partner? You can’t even manage basic concern. You’re like ice! Who’d want

someone that cold?”

Zain slouched on the sofa, head down, staring at his phone. Some business news app played on the screen.

20.42

<

19 Chapter 19 The Old Mans Ultimatum

Whether he actually absorbed Oswald’s words remained unclear. He showed minimal reaction, no flicker of emotion suggesting he was

processing the criticism.

Carry played with cards at the small table when Oswald’s angry words reached her. She turned to him with complete seriousness. “Mr.

Oswald, Mom was the one who was late. It’s not that Dad doesn’t care about her.”

Standing at the doorway, I heard Carry’s words but barely flinched anymore.

I was used to Carry’s attitude. The kid never showed gratitude and seemed utterly indifferent to her mother’s feelings.

Comment O

Leave the first comment for this chapter.