The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 215

215 Chapter 215 A Wound Deeper

Than Skin

Vincent’s POV o

The lead teachers watched Joanna’s performance, their lips curling with barely concealed disgust.

But they couldn’t call her out publicly, no matter what they thought.

Yoli clapped her hands, her voice cutting through the chatter. “Everyone, settle down and listen up. For today’s fall outing, we’re doing groups of two parents and two kids. We’ll bus over to Silas Roberts, collect firewood, build fires, and cook together. After we eat, we’ll share our dishes family–style. This afternoon brings group games, plus some drawing and singing time. Parents, check with me before we head home as

a group.”

The crowd finally quieted as Yoli spoke.

The moment she finished, parents swarmed Joanna like bees to honey. “Carry’s Mom, can we join your group?”

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Not just the dads–every mom wanted in too.

Everyone was practically fighting to get Joanna in their

group.

What started as an orderly lineup had devolved into chaos twice now, all because Joanna showed up and stirred the pot.

Through it all, Blanche and Vincent stayed put with

their kids.

The teachers‘ frowns deepened as things spiraled.

Finally, Yoli took charge, going down the attendance list and pairing parents in order.

When Blanche’s name came up, she got matched with

another mom.

Right after Vincent’s name was called, Joanna’s

popped up next–so they ended up grouped together.

Some people grumbled about the arrangements, but nobody caused a scene.

Soon they were all piling onto buses bound for Silas Roberts.

As they climbed off, Joanna turned to Vincent with a

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bright smile. “Mr. Aarav, how about we gather firewood while Carry and Dorian prep the food?”

Smart move–less hassle without the kids tagging along, plus it’d give her alone time with him.

Made sense to him. “Sounds good.”

Joanna pulled out their supplies and gave Carry and Dorian their marching orders, telling them to start prepping ingredients together.

Once she finished directing them, she turned back to Vincent. “Mr. Aarav, let’s go.”

Something about Joanna bugged Vincent. She was bold as brass online–hell, just recently she’d flat–out asked on WhatsApp if he wanted to hook up.

But in person? Total opposite. Shy, holding back, barely meeting his eyes.

Maybe she was pissed he’d turned her down. Or maybe this was all some game,

Didn’t matter–he knew her type. Play hard to get, then throw a guy a bone, and he’ll come crawling back for more.

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After they got off the bus, Blanche and her partner took their group kids to hunt for firewood nearby.

Joanna was still organizing tasks when Dorian suddenly burst into tears.

Vincent spun around instinctively and watched Carry jump up and viciously kick Dorian in the leg. “Motherless brat! How dare you try to boss me around? I want fries, not shredded potatoes! Who are you to tell me what to eat?”

“Ugh, motherless brat,” she spat again.

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Carry wasn’t just being nasty—she was twisting the knife in Dorian’s deepest wound.

Vincent knew Dorian’s story better than most. His mother died giving birth to him. He’d never known a mother’s love, not for a single day,

Noelle never remarried, pouring everything into raising Dorian alone.

But even with all that devotion, Dorian carried the ache of that missing piece.

It was pain he’d never voice around Noelle.

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And now this little brat was throwing it in his face. without a second thought.

Vincent’s blood boiled.

Even if Dorian wasn’t Noelle’s son, even if he was some random kid, he couldn’t stomach watching a child get torn apart like that.

He stormed back and grabbed Carry, yanking her close.

His hand shot up, ready to slap some sense into her.

But reason kicked in just in time.

She was still just a kid–and Blanche’s daughter, no less.

His hand trembled in midair before he finally dropped it.

Joanna rushed back, finally catching on to what had happened.

The second Vincent shoved Carry aside, Joanna swooped in and wrapped her arms around the girl.

“Joanna, control her. If she runs her mouth again, I don’t care who’s watching–I’ll rip her tongue out

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myself. And I don’t make threats.” His voice came out low and deadly.

He shot Joanna a sideways glare, ice–cold fury burning in his eyes, ready to tear someone apart.

Joanna’s face went white. She’d never seen him this

pissed before–hell, he’d never felt rage like this.

Carry cowered in Joanna’s arms, sobbing after Vincent had nearly struck her.

Dorian had stopped crying the moment Vincent came back.

After putting Carry in her place, he scooped Dorian up and carried him to a quiet corner away from the

others.

He knelt down in front of him and ruffled his hair, his voice turning gentle. “Uncle Vincent screwed up. I shouldn’t have left you alone with her.”

Sure, he liked to mess with Dorian, but deep down he loved that kid like his own son.

No way in hell would he let him take that kind of abuse.

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Dorian shook his head, eyes still red–rimmed, but he managed a small smile. “It’s not your fault, Uncle Vincent. You don’t need to apologize.”

Seeing him try to be brave just broke Vincent’s heart

more. He pulled him into a gentle hug. “Come on,

Uncle Vincent’s switching us to another group. We’re done with that little witch.”

He took Dorian over to Yoli.

When she saw his tear–stained face, she asked what happened.

After Vincent explained everything, Yoli’s expression softened. She knelt in front of Dorian. “Dorian, we boys need to stand tall and strong. Let’s be brave, okay? No more tears.”

Dorian nodded. “Okay.”

Yoli already knew why he’d brought him over. “Dorian, which group would you like to join?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I want to be in Camila’s group.”

Sure, Camila could be bossy, but Dorian enjoyed playing with her. She might be fierce, but she never mocked his scars or tried to hurt his feelings.

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Yoli patted his head gently. “Alright.”

After she coordinated the switch, Vincent swapped

places with the mom who’d been paired with Blanche’s

group.

Once the new groups were set, he sent Camila and Dorian to prep vegetables under a tree while Blanche and Vincent headed off to gather firewood.

Blanche didn’t ask why the groups had suddenly changed.

The park didn’t have much loose firewood lying around, so they had to hike beyond the main area to find any.

Silas Roberts was still under development, with some pretty rough patches.

Vincent strode ahead, and Blanche quickened her pace to catch up.

By the time she reached him, he’d already collected some wood.

He bent down, snapping pieces with his bare hands.

Without gloves, it didn’t take long before the wood scratched his finger.

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Blanche noticed blood welling up and quickly grabbed

his hand. “Let me see.”

He started to pull away, but when he caught the genuine concern in her eyes, he let her hold it.

He stared down at her, trying to read every thought behind those eyes, searching for answers to questions

he couldn’t voice.

Blanche felt his intense gaze but said nothing, just focused on tending to his wound in silence.

But he couldn’t hold back anymore. His voice came out barely above a whisper, trembling with hurt and

confusion.

“Why are you suddenly acting so distant with me?”

Chai

216 Chapter 216 Taking Back What You Owe