The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 206

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Favor

Blanche’s POVO

At seven that night, I got hit with a last–minute emergency–had to tag along with an ER doc for an urgent house call.

I was about to clock out when the news dropped, and my mood crashed hard.

At least the call wasn’t a trek–just some neighborhood barely two kilometers from the hospital.

The patient was a kid, so they needed me as the pediatrician on duty.

Turned out to be nothing major–basic flu with a fever spike.

Once we got the little one to the hospital, I headed back to my department.

I wrapped up my final tasks and was about to get up and stretch when my phone buzzed to life.

I glanced down and spotted a text from Oswald.

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Oswald’s message read: “Blanche, Zain knocked back a few at his work dinner tonight. The driver dropped me off first. Mind swinging by to check on him and make sure he gets home okay?”

The second I read Oswald’s text, I knew exactly what game he was playing–another round of matchmaking. ‘Really? Still at it?‘ I thought, caught between laughing and rolling my eyes.

I could see right through his scheme, but dodging it wasn’t in the cards–telling Oswald no just wasn’t happening.

So I texted back with a sigh, “Fine.”

After grabbing my stuff, I left the department.

In the parking lot, I sat behind the wheel, stalling for

what felt like forever.

But after mulling it over, I finally caved and decided to hit up the spot Oswald had sent me.

If I bailed, Oswald would definitely grill me later.

Plus, with his health being touch–and–go, I really couldn’t bear to disappoint him.

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When I rolled up to Oswald’s location, Zain’s ride was parked right out front–impossible to miss.

Not only did the car scream money, but that license plate was like a neon sign.

I walked into the restaurant and flagged down a server for directions.

When I reached the VIP room door, I noticed it was cracked open.

The gap was just wide enough, and when I peeked through, I immediately caught sight of Zain and

Joanna.

Zain was perched on a stool, looking washed out and spaced, staring up at Joanna who was hovering over him.

As he kept his eyes locked on her, he suddenly broke into this grin, then slowly reached out and pulled her into a tight hug.

Joanna lifted her hand to gently work his temples, teasing him while she did it, “See? I kept warning you to ease up on the drinks, but you never listen. Regretting it now, huh?”

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Zain circled his arms around Joanna’s waist, staying quiet, just pressing his face into her stomach.

That’s when Drew’s voice cut through the room. “Joanna, you’re babysitting Zain tonight.”

With that, Drew pushed back from his seat.

Outside, I spotted Drew standing up and immediately tried to blend into the wallpaper, spinning around to face the wall like I was having a deep conversation with it.

Inside, after some quick chatter, everyone started filing out.

Nicholas was pretty hammered too, and Drew was practically carrying him out.

As they walked past me, since I was doing my wall–staring act, nobody even clocked me.

Once Drew hauled Nicholas away, I snuck another look into the private room.

Now it was just Zain and Joanna left inside.

Zain was clearly wasted–draped all over Joanna, completely out of it and not budging.

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Since he was still clinging to her, Joanna softly coaxed, “Zain, we should head home now.”

Zain lifted his head to look at her, his voice all soft and needy. “Hug me?”

Joanna found this adorable, and gazing down at him with those warm eyes, she giggled, “You’re a grown man, but you still act like a little boy.”

Zain murmured, “Joanna, get closer. I need to tell you something.”

Joanna dutifully leaned her head down toward him.

But the moment she did, Zain suddenly straightened up and planted a quick kiss on her.

Joanna’s hand shot up to touch where he’d kissed her.

Her eyes lit up with surprise and bashfulness as she shot him a look. “Zain, you…”

Zain just burst out laughing, all bright and carefree.

I quickly and quietly pulled out my phone, snapping a few sneaky shots.

I opened my text thread with Oswald and started crafting a message with those two intimate photos.

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I was dying to hit send, but my gut was screaming that this was a terrible idea.

If I actually sent them and Oswald got worked up, I definitely couldn’t handle that fallout.

In the end, my logical side won out and I backed down.

Feeling like a total third wheel and realizing I was completely unnecessary here, I slipped out of the

restaurant.

I sat in my car alone for ages, then finally decided to hit up Amara Jerry.

I didn’t want to crash at Blissfield Villa, and heading back to Callum Mansion with my mood in the toilet was the last thing I needed.

Amara’s place was the only spot that felt right.

The second I walked into Amara’s apartment, my phone started ringing–Oswald was calling.

I picked up without hesitation, “Grandpa.”

Oswald’s concerned voice came through, “How’s Zain? Did you get him?”

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Not wanting to complicate things, I lied smoothly, “Yeah, I picked him up.”

Oswald pressed, “So when are you two heading back?”

I paused, then replied, “Grandpa, Zain and I won’t be at Blissfield Villa tonight.”

Oswald chuckled, sounding thrilled. “Excellent,

excellent. Maybe you two can hurry up and give me another great–grandchild–put this old man’s mind at

ease.”

I wanted nothing to do with that conversation, so I quickly switched topics. “Grandpa, Zain is asking for me. I should go.”

I didn’t even wait for his response before hanging up.

Hearing the dial tone, Oswald just laughed to himself, entertained. “Zain is even more eager than I was back in the day–kids these days!”

After ending the call, I kicked off my shoes at Amara’s

entrance.

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Once I got comfortable, we both collapsed onto the couch together.

After I finished telling her everything that went down, Amara couldn’t help but explode, “God, those two jerks -could they be any more perfect for each other?”

I just smiled and stayed quiet. Honestly, Zain meant nothing to me anymore–and I barely even noticed when that shift happened.

‘If you can dish about your past without flinching in front of your best friend, isn’t that proof you’re totally over it?‘ I thought, finding it kind of funny.

But Amara still looked worried. “You just told Oswald you wouldn’t be back, but what if Zain actually goes home? Won’t you be completely busted?”

I just laughed and said casually, “Zain isn’t going back tonight.”

Amara looked confused. “How are you so certain?”

I gave Amara a knowing smirk, my tone playful. “Come on, you should understand how guys work by now.”

Amara thought for a beat before grinning back. “Right. Nights like this are pure gold–especially with booze

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involved.”

We chatted for hours, covering the past, the future, and everything else.

When Amara brought up Marquis Landon, her eyes got misty. Through her tears, she said, “If I could do it over, I’d learn to love myself first.”

As for me

all I wanted was for every good thing about Vincent to have been fake from day one.

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207 Chapter 207 Disturbing The Peace.