The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 203

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Dying

Blanche’s POV

Oswald completely ignored Zain, his attention shifting to me instead.

“Blanche, what do you think?” he asked, putting me squarely in the spotlight.

I’d been dismissive of the whole thing, but with Oswald’s direct question hanging in the air, I couldn’t just brush it off.

After a brief pause, I forced myself to say what he

wanted to hear. “Yes, she is.”

Oswald caught my reluctant agreement, and I noticed the satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

A moment later, he continued with more gravity. “Actually, I came here tonight because there’s

something important I need to discuss with both of you.”

The serious tone in Oswald’s voice made my stomach

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clench with unease. Zain seemed equally tense beside

1. me.

Oswald cut straight to the point. “My health is deteriorating, and frankly, I don’t know how much time I have left. I’ve decided to move into Blissfield Villa for now. If my time comes, I want to spend my final days surrounded by family.”

Ever since his hospital stay, Oswald had been

consumed by a growing dread that I could see etched in every line of his face.

His wife had been dead for years, and the thought of collapsing alone at Jacob Manor clearly terrified him.

I stayed silent, stealing a glance at Zain. Our eyes met instantly across the room.

The moment our gazes locked, I could feel the weight of our shared concerns pressing down on us.

My mind raced with panic–if Oswald actually moved in here, I’d be trapped, forced to show up every single day to play the devoted granddaughter–in–law.

I could practically read Zain’s thoughts too. He was probably calculating how this would complicate things with Joanna and Lillian.

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Neither of us spoke for what felt like an eternity.

Oswald’s face darkened at our silence. “What, am I that unwelcome? You won’t even let me stay here for a few days?”

I quickly plastered on a smile, scrambling for the right words. “No, that’s not it at all–we’re just worried we won’t be able to take proper care of you.”

Oswald settled deeper into the couch, then looked up at us expectantly. “Just spend time with me when you can. Unless I keel over, I won’t be a burden.”

I kept my mouth shut, shooting Zain a pointed look that clearly said: *Handle this.*

Zain met Oswald’s expectant stare head–on. “If you want to stay, then stay as long as you need.”

Oswald’s chest puffed with pride. “Well, naturally.”

Laughter echoed from upstairs–Joanna and Carry were obviously enjoying themselves.

Oswald checked his watch and whispered to me, “It’s getting late. Carry should be in bed soon.”

I barely processed his words. My mind was stuck on

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Zain’s casual promise that Oswald could stay indefinitely.

Zain had thrown out that commitment like it was

nothing, but it meant I’d be sentenced to daily visits to this house.

The thought made my chest tighten until I could barely breathe.

Zain knew exactly what was running through my head, but to avoid raising Oswald’s suspicions, he quickly called out, “Aunt Lillian!”

In the kitchen, Lillian was still chopping meat, surrounded by unwashed vegetables and ingredients.

When Zain’s voice carried from the living room, she responded automatically, “Coming!”

She rushed into the living room, and Zain immediately instructed, “Go upstairs and tell the tutor she can leave now.”

Lillian blinked in confusion. ‘Tutor?‘ she thought. ‘Since when do we have a tutor here?‘

She stared at Zain with obvious bewilderment.

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Zain caught her confusion and clarified, “You can let Miss Joanna know she can head home now.”

Understanding finally dawned on Lillian, but an unexpected wave of irritation washed over her.

‘Why does this bother me so much?‘ she wondered, feeling strangely agitated.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was just hired help here, and her daughter Joanna was nothing more than “the tutor” in everyone’s eyes.

Lillian knew she had no right to object.

She simply nodded, replying, “Understood. I’ll go right

away.”

As Lillian headed upstairs, Oswald grumbled, “That woman seems completely clueless. If she can’t handle basic tasks properly, maybe we should just fire her.”

Before Blanche could respond, Zain quickly intervened, “Aunt Lillian’s breakfasts are essential to my morning routine. I’m too accustomed to them- let’s not change that.”

Oswald didn’t push further. After suppressing a yawn, he covered his mouth and said, “Alright, I’m heading to

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bed. You two should get some rest too.”

“Goodnight, Grandpa,” Zain said.

Blanche remained silent on the sidelines.

Oswald noticed her unusual quietness but decided not

to comment.

After Joanna was summoned downstairs, she and Lillian left Blissfield Villa together, both looking exhausted as they stepped into the cold night.

On the freezing street, Joanna’s face showed clear signs of fatigue and weariness.

Her days were consumed by research at school, her nights spent at Blissfield Villa caring for Carry.

Thinking about how difficult her life had become lately, Joanna felt tears threatening to spill.

She should have been enjoying her young, single years -not stuck doing the work of an overworked

housekeeper.

Meanwhile, Lillian had been complaining nonstop since they left.

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Even outside, she continued griping, “Blanche has completely lost her mind–who demands Beef Wellington in the middle of the night?”

They both knew it was unreasonable, but with Oswald present, they’d had no choice but to endure it quietly.

Now that they were finally free, both mother and daughter remained frustrated and angry.

Seeing her mother’s agitation, Joanna quickly tried to comfort her. “Mom, don’t let it get to you. That’s about all Blanche is capable of anyway.”

Lillian finally forced herself to exhale, saying bitterly, “Someday, I’ll make Blanche sob as she gets thrown out of Blissfield Villa.”

Joanna stepped closer and gently rubbed her mother’s back. “Mom, honestly, whether Blanche gets kicked out doesn’t really matter much. I can accept my current situation. If Zain ever divorces, I’ll marry him properly. If not, I’ll just stay by his side as his…”

She trailed off, but they both understood the unspoken word.

Lillian looked at Joanna’s tired face and felt her heart

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break. “Look how exhausted you are. When you get

home, turn off your phone–don’t give that little brat a chance to disturb you.”

Joanna nodded. “Okay, Mom. I understand.”

Zain’s POV

After Joanna left, I headed upstairs to check on Carry.

When I reached her room, she was lying on her bed, arranging stickers,

Hearing footsteps, Carry called out without looking up, “Miss Joanna!”

But when she saw it was me, her smile disappeared. “Dad, where’s Miss Joanna? Didn’t she come up with

you?”

I sat on the edge of her bed, gently ruffling her hair. “Mr. Oswald will be staying at Blissfield Villa for a while, so Miss Joanna won’t be able to keep you company.”

Carry’s eyes filled with confusion. “Why not?”

I didn’t elaborate much. “Mr. Oswald is going to be

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living here temporarily, so Miss Joanna won’t be able to visit you during this time.”