The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 212

212 Chapter 212 The Monster Next

Door

Zain’s POV

After I dropped Joanna off, I returned to my office to continue working.

I’d barely settled back into my tasks when the door squeaked open.

From the soft patter of footsteps, I recognized Carry immediately.

Setting aside my work, I swiveled around.

There stood Carry in her pajamas, clutching her favorite stuffed toy. She crept toward me and whispered, “Daddy, when will you come to bed?”

I reached down, scooping Carry onto my lap. Pressing my forehead to hers, I murmured, “Daddy has more work tonight. It’ll take a while.”

Carry’s face crumpled in disappointment.

I tweaked her earlobe gently. “Why don’t you sleep first, sweetheart?”

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Carry clamped her mouth shut, saying nothing.

Noticing her sullen mood, I asked with patience, “What’s bothering you?”

Carry couldn’t quite name what felt wrong.

She simply longed for her mother–Blanche.

When Blanche was here, she never lost her temper. She always used gentle words and explained everything with endless patience.

But yesterday evening, Lillian had snapped at her so harshly. The memory still stung.

Though Grandma Lillian claimed it was only worry that made her react that way–fear that Carry would keep sobbing.

Wrestling with these thoughts, Carry bit back her words. She’d given Grandma Lillian her promise not to tell.

When she remained silent, I tried again. “Want to sleep in Grandma Lillian’s room tonight?”

The mention of Grandma Lillian made Carry recoil instantly. “No way.”

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Assuming she simply wanted me close by, I offered reassurance. “Then Daddy will join you once I finish up here, alright?”

Carry said nothing. She slid off my lap without a word.

Wordlessly, she padded back to her bedroom.

Sinking into her plush mattress, Carry felt an emptiness gnawing at her chest.

She waited for a while, but I never appeared to check on her.

The longing for her mother intensified suddenly.

If Blanche were here, she’d abandon everything to be with her. Even if she were in the bathroom, she’d rush out immediately.

But her father wasn’t the same. Work always came first.

Just thinking of Blanche brought tears to Carry’s eyes, her heart aching with loss.

Footsteps echoed outside her door.

Carry peered toward the slightly open doorway, catching a glimpse of Blanche’s figure passing by. But

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Blanche didn’t stop to see her.

Rolling toward the window, Carry let the tears fall freely.

After crying endlessly, sleep still wouldn’t come.

Restless and aching with loneliness, all she craved was Joanna’s comfort.

Her father had purchased a house for Miss Joanna right next door–close enough for her to slip over alone.

Clutching her stuffed animal, Carry quietly escaped through Blissfield Villa’s front entrance.

When she rang the neighboring doorbell, hope bloomed in her chest–hoping Joanna would answer and wrap her in a warm embrace.

Instead, Lillian opened the door.

Carry’s face drained of color at the sight of her.

Lillian swung the door wide, grasping Carry’s small hand warmly. “Such a cold night, and you’re dressed so lightly? Hurry inside, darling. Grandma Lillian will warm some milk for you.”

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Carry didn’t want to enter and pulled back, resisting Lillian’s grip.

Sensing Carry’s hesitation, Lillian paused before coaxing gently, “Come in.”

But Lillian persisted, and before Carry could protest further, she found herself dragged into the villa.

Inside, Lillian settled onto the sofa and patted the cushion beside her, commanding, “Sit here.”

Carry hugged her stuffed animal closer and reluctantly, trembling, took the spot next to her.

The moment she sat down, Lillian revealed her true nature. She reached over and dug her fingernails deep into Carry’s arm–twice–hissing through clenched teeth, “You little pest, I should crush you.”

Lillian’s voice dripped with malice, as though she wanted to tear Carry apart.

Carry cried out in pain and dissolved into tears, unable to contain her sobs.

Lillian snarled, “Stop that noise!”

Carry had never seen Grandma Lillian so terrifying.

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She cowered back, voice shaking as she whimpered, “Grandma Lillian, you’re hurting me.”

Carry’s crying only fueled Lillian’s rage.

She dug her nails into Carry’s arm again, snarling, “If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I’ll make sure Miss Joanna never wants you again.”

Carry didn’t dare make another sound, though tears continued streaming down her face like a broken necklace of pearls.

The threat of losing Joanna’s love sent terror racing through Carry’s heart.

Choking back her sobs, she whispered to Lillian, “I won’t tell! I promise, I won’t say anything.”

Meanwhile, Joanna lurked in the first–floor guest room, ear pressed to the doorframe, catching every muffled sob from Carry.

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Each wail from Carry filled Joanna with sick pleasure, lifting her spirits higher.

Listening to those pitiful cries, Joanna felt tempted to storm out and slap Carry herself.

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But for her long–term schemes, she couldn’t let Carry witness her true face yet.

Blanche’s POV

I was already drifting toward sleep when something small and warm slipped under my blankets.

Startled, I rolled over and reached out–my hand met something soft and warm, nearly giving me a heart attack.

My drowsiness evaporated instantly.

I jerked back in alarm, my voice sharp with caution.

“Who’s there?”

In the darkness, Carry’s small, raspy voice emerged as she whispered, “Mommy, it’s me.”

Hearing that, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my tension finally easing.

But remembering how cold Carry had been toward me recently, my expression hardened. “Your bedroom is next door.”

Carry nestled closer into my arms, whispering, “But

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Mommy, I want to sleep with you tonight.”

Carry had gone seeking comfort from Joanna, only to encounter Lillian instead.

Lillian had promised to stay until she fell asleep–to wait until Carry was sleeping before leaving–but those were hollow words.

Carry hadn’t even begun to doze when Lillian started snoring loudly, leaving her wide awake and miserable.

Worse still, Lillian had pinched her arm so brutally it throbbed with pain.

Carry was a cherished little princess–when had anyone ever treated her so cruelly?

Carry felt shattered, but sitting here with me, she wavered, uncertain whether to mention how Lillian

had hurt her.

I didn’t want Carry in my bed, but she refused to leave, pleading with such heartbreaking desperation in every word.

My resolve softened slightly. I didn’t embrace Carry or show her much warmth, but I simply said, “Fine.”

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Carry lay beside me, finally feeling secure. No fear of someone coming to pinch or strike her tonight.

Throughout the night, she kept trying to curl into my arms, seeking that familiar warmth and comfort.

But I maintained distance between us, not allowing her to get too close.

The next morning, I woke first.

Seeing Carry curled up next to me, an inexplicable pain shot through my chest, my eyes suddenly burning with unshed tears.

But remembering how distant Carry had been lately, I hardened my heart, suppressed the urge to linger, and quietly slipped from the room.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs. As I

walked, I caught Oswald saying, “I’m taking a morning stroll. I’ll eat when I return.”

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Kaden Jacob’s voice responded cheerfully, “Sure thing, Grandpa. Have a nice walk!”

Hearing his familiar voice, I froze momentarily, my heart stuttering.

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But after a brief moment of shock, I brushed it off and

continued downstairs.

Kaden was lounging on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through videos on his phone.

When he heard footsteps on the stairs, he looked up. The instant he spotted me, he rolled his eyes and couldn’t resist sneering, “It’s barely dawn and you’re already skipping kitchen duties? Getting comfortable playing lady of the manor, are we?”

I ignored him and headed for the exit.

But Kaden wasn’t finished. He called after me with a sneer, “I guess someone from such humble beginnings could never truly belong in a place like this.”

213 Chapter 213 Where Was This Protection