The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 26

26 Chapter 26 Forcing Out The Word

26 Chapter 26 Forcing Out The Word

Blanche’s POV 1

Upstairs, Carry perched on the bed’s edge while I stood before her.

The moment I finished unleashing my frustration on my daughter, guilt crashed over me.

Sure, Carry had messed up, but she was still just a kid.

I moved closer, wanting to wrap her in my arms, but she shoved me back hard.

“I don’t want you as my mom anymore! You’re horrible! Leave me alone, go away!”

Her unexpected strength sent me stumbling backward two steps.

Once I steadied myself, I just stood there, watching her for what felt like forever.

Every milestone of Carry’s life lived in my phone – from newborn to the girl sitting before me now.

And here she was, telling me to get lost.

Pain ripped through my chest like a thousand knives.

I couldn’t find words, so I gave her a strained smile and moved to the sofa.

Staring at nothing, I let the tears fall silently.

Carry sat rigid, probably realizing she’d crossed a line. She seemed ready to say “Mom,” but the word wouldn’t come.

I stayed there until my tears dried up.

Eventually, Carry broke. “Mom?” she called tentatively.

I wiped my face and looked at her. “Yeah?”

My voice came out rough, but at least I’d gotten my emotions under control.

“I want to call Dad, Carry said hesitantly.

She wasn’t actually interested in talking to Zain – just testing if I’d still respond to her.

When I did, relief washed over her face, and whatever apology she’d been rehearsing vanished.

She still didn’t think she’d done anything wrong.

“Go ahead,” I said, my tone flat and distant.

Carry picked up on my coldness but convinced herself, “Mom loves me too much to stay mad.”

The tension thick between us, she dialed Zain’s number.

Someone answered right away, but it was Joanna’s voice. “Carry!”

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26 Chapter 26 Forcing Out The Word

Carry almost said “Miss Joanna” but caught herself with me nearby. “Where’s Dad?”

The room was quiet enough that I caught every word Joanna said.

“Your dad’s in the shower. Want me to get him?”

Carry shook her head. “No, just talk to me.”

“Something wrong?” Joanna’s intuition kicked in, concern bleeding through her voice.

Carry glanced at me sideways. “No, just bored. I want to come back to Blissfield Villa.”

“Should I tell Zain? We could come get you.”

Remembering her promise to Zain, Carry declined. “No, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Is someone bothering you?” Joanna pressed.

I listened and wondered if Joanna’s concern was genuine.

But Carry was Zain’s daughter, so Joanna’s attention probably stemmed from that.

The kindness felt hollow to me.

“Miss Joanna, nobody’s bothering me. They just want to hug and kiss me, but they smell gross, not like you. You smell sweet and pretty.”

Carry was back to her usual manipulative charm.

I stopped caring about whatever complaints about the Callum Family came next.

My fists clenched as I made my decision.

After Carry hung up, I approached her.

She tensed, watching me get closer.

Part of her hoped I’d hug her so she could hug me back with everything she had.

Instead, I crouched down, meeting her eyes. “Want to go back?”

My voice stayed gentle, my expression neutral.

For a second, Carry thought her loving mom had returned.

Her guard dropped. “Yes, I want to go back.”

I smiled, warmth creeping into my tone. “Pack your stuff. I’ll take you home.”

My quick agreement made Carry uncomfortable. “But Dad said-”

I cut her off. “If you want to go, we go. I’ll take you.”

If being here made her miserable, why force it?

I’d seen enough of the Callum Family. Carry didn’t need to endure more.

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26 Chapter 26 Forcing Out The Word

“Okay,” Carry said uneasily.

I ruffled her hair. “Then get packing.”

Downstairs, only Amiya was cleaning up the living room.

With everyone else gone, I felt some relief.

Carry looked around nervously. “Mom, shouldn’t we say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma?”

I took her hand. “No need.”

That made Carry even more anxious, but she couldn’t stand staying with the Callum Family any longer.

During the drive to Blissfield Villa, I didn’t speak to Carry once.

She didn’t dare touch her phone, desperately wanting to break the silence but not knowing how.

Her anxiety finally lifted when we reached Blissfield Villa.

Carry bounded out of the car, racing toward the entrance. “Dad, Miss Joanna, I’m back!”

The contrast between her joy here and her behavior at Callum Mansion twisted the knife in my heart.

I took a moment before following her inside.

Heidi emerged from the hall at Carry’s voice. “Miss Carry.”

Spotting me behind her, she nodded politely. “Mrs. Jacob.”

I managed a weak smile and entered the living room.

Zain and Joanna were coming downstairs, both wearing matching gray silk pajamas and blue robes.

Fresh from their showers, Joanna’s cheeks glowed pink, her hair mussed like they’d been doing more than just bathing.

Carry raced up the stairs and wrapped herself around Joanna’s leg. “Miss Joanna, I want a sweet–smelling bath like yours.”

She’d already forgotten the Callum Mansion drama and everything she’d said to me.

Joanna scooped Carry up, smiling as she rubbed their foreheads together. “Sure thing, I’ll help you bathe.”

Zain remained on the stairs, his eyes finding mine,

When our gazes locked, I didn’t look away. I stared back openly, my eyes blazing with raw emotion.

Neither of us spoke, letting the charged tension build.

Finally, Zain turned to head upstairs.

“Zain, I need to talk to you, I called out.

He stopped, his stare cold. “About what?”

“When you have time, let’s handle this,” I said.

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26 Chapter 26 Forcing Out The Word

Dragging this out wasn’t helping anyone.

We faced each other across the distance.

That’s when I spotted the lipstick mark on Zain’s neck.

I knew exactly what it meant.

I tried staying composed, but after years of love, I couldn’t hold back. Tears flooded my eyes.

Zain looked confused. “Handle what?”

I bit my lip, forcing out the words. “The divorce…”

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