The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 218

218 Chapter 218 She Calls Another

Mom

Blanche’s POV

Vincent caught onto my shift in mood instantly.

He shot Dorian a meaningful look, silently nudging

him to come comfort me.

Dorian picked up on it right away. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me.

“Blanche, let’s make lunch,” he said softly.

I looked up at Dorian, guilt flooding my eyes. “Dorian, let me apologize for Carry, okay?”

Dorian shook his head. “It’s fine, Blanche. I’m used to it. People have called me that before. I never had a mom anyway.”

His words cut straight through me. I pulled him close, running my fingers through his hair. “Dorian, you’re such a good kid. Don’t let their words get to you. Even without a mom, your dad adores you.”

Dorian touched my cheek, grinning. “Yeah, Dad loves

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me, and so do Mr. Aarav and Uncle Kingsley. Maybe you’ll love me too, someday.”

I smiled back at him. “Absolutely. More and more people will love you.”

Dorian grabbed my hand. “Then let’s cook. I’m starving.”

I pushed my concerns about Carry aside for now and headed to the kitchen. I handled the chopping while Vincent worked the stove, and Camila and Dorian tossed ingredients into the pot.

Together, we whipped up two dishes in record time.

I hadn’t realized Vincent was such a natural in the kitchen, but with my spirits still low, I kept the observation to myself.

Once everything was ready, I turned to Vincent. “Mr. Aarav, would you stay for lunch with Camila and Dorian?”

Vincent’s brow furrowed. “What about you? Where are you going?”

I forced a weak smile. “Just to the bathroom.”

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Vincent studied me with obvious concern, clearly

aware that Carry’s behavior still stung, but he held his

tongue.

He didn’t push me.

After washing my hands, I told the kids I’d be right

back from the bathroom.

As I walked away, Vincent watched me go and must have noticed I wasn’t heading toward the bathroom at

all.

Vincent pulled off his apron and said to Dorian, “Dorian, you and Camila take the dishes to Yoli Luther. I’ll go check on your aunt.”

“Okay, Mr. Aarav,” Dorian replied.

Vincent washed his hands and followed after Blanche.

She wasn’t moving fast, so Vincent caught up quickly.

I found myself on a park bench, head down, tears streaming silently down my face.

Even though anguish consumed every inch of my expression, I bit my lip hard, fighting to keep my sobs

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locked inside.

I didn’t hear Vincent approaching. After battling with myself for what felt like forever, I finally cracked and let the sobs break free.

The rose I’d nurtured so carefully had turned toxic.

My chest burned with pain, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Vincent had planned to give me space, thinking it might help if I let it all out alone.

But clearly, my pain cut deeper than he’d expected. As the sobs tore through me, I suddenly lashed out— hitting myself with shaking fists.

Vincent couldn’t stay back any longer. In just a few quick steps, he rushed over and caught my hands, stopping me before I could do more damage.

I lifted my tear–streaked face, every feature radiating pure helplessness and grief.

I stared at Vincent, looking completely broken, but the tears just kept falling, one after another.

Vincent’s expression twisted seeing me like this. He

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sat down beside me and pulled out a clean handkerchief, offering it to me. “Here, dry those tears.”

My voice came out raw from crying as I took the handkerchief and whispered, “Thank you.”

Vincent kept his gaze fixed on the distance, his tone flat and detached. “Hurts, doesn’t it?”

I kept dabbing at my cheeks but answered defiantly, “No.”

Vincent still wouldn’t look my way. He probably

figured I didn’t want anyone seeing me like this, so he kept his eyes elsewhere.

Hearing my stubborn response, Vincent let out a harsh laugh, his voice icy. “Now you finally know how it feels.”

I didn’t respond.

I knew Vincent was about to go off on one of his rants. I had no clue what he was getting at, so I just let it go.

Finally, Vincent turned toward me. He didn’t demand explanations, just said gently, “If you’re hurting this much, use my shoulder. That’s what it’s there for.”

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I tried to refuse, but the words caught in my throat, and my tears only came faster.

Unable to hold back anymore, I turned and collapsed against Vincent, burying my face in his shoulder as sobs wracked my body.

Through my tears, I choked out, “Carry used to be so different, really. She won’t hear me now. I can’t get through to her, I…”

Vincent could feel me trembling in his arms. He gently drew me closer, his voice soothing. “I know, I really

do.”

I cried for what felt like hours, spilling out memories of how Carry used to be such a sweet kid.

Vincent just sat there and listened, staying quiet the

entire time.

After a long while, I finally lifted my head from his shoulder.

I felt so much lighter inside, and my tears had finally stopped.

I turned to Vincent and murmured, “Thank you.”

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Vincent looked at me, his expression serious. “If you really want to help Carry change course, you need to tell Zain about today. He has to know.”

I nodded quietly. “Yeah, I know.”

Vincent’s gaze stayed on me. “If I were her father, I’d never let you carry all this pain alone.”

I managed a small smile. “Let’s head back.”

“Yeah,” Vincent agreed.

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We started walking back the way we’d come, but just as we got close to where Camila and Dorian were, Carry’s voice drifted over from the nearby woods: “Miss Joanna, I don’t have a mom anymore. Can you be my mom now?”

I just stood there and watched while Camila hit Carry, never saying a word.

After that, in Carry’s mind, I wasn’t her mom anymore.

Joanna had heard Carry make this request multiple times before. In the past, she would have agreed instantly.

But now, she put on a show, pretending to wrestle

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with the decision. “But you know, Ms. Callum is still your real mom.”

Carry’s voice shook as she pleaded, nearly in tears. “Miss Joanna, please, I’m begging you—just this once.”

Seeing Carry so submissive and desperate, Joanna finally gave in, looking pleased. “Fine, but you can only call me Mom when we’re alone.”

Carry’s face lit up instantly, threw her arms around Joanna, and cheered, “Mom, I knew you’d say yes! You’re amazing!”

I caught every single word between them, my fist clenching silently at my side.

Vincent felt my pain so deeply it was like my heartbreak seeped directly into him.

For a moment, he worried I might just fall apart completely right here and now.

Once Carry got Joanna’s permission, she kept calling her “Mom” over and over, absolutely thrilled and completely unrestrained.

Joanna played along, responding to every “Mom,” but honestly, her mind had already wandered–her heart

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was miles away.

I didn’t get upset at all, but Vincent couldn’t stay calm any longer–he started marching toward where the voices were coming from.

But I was faster. I grabbed his arm and asked, “What are you doing?”

Vincent gave me a cold, sideways glance. “You’re really just going to stand there and let her corrupt your daughter?”

For a split second, I went blank at his accusation.

‘Is he really this fired up because he’s worried Carry will be led astray? Or… is he scared Joanna might actually become her mom?‘

219 Chapter 219 A Price Paid In Blood

219 Chapter 219 A Price Paid In