The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 266

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In

Silence

Blanche’s POVO

When I reached the hospital, Lucia Aarav was

sprawled on her bed, treating herself to some kind of beauty mask routine.

Hospital gown or not, the woman was still a knockout —the kind that made people do double–takes in hallways.

The second she heard my footsteps, Lucia yanked off that face mask like she’d been caught doing something scandalous. She pushed herself up against the bed rail and swiveled around, giving me a once–over.

When she saw how beat I looked, worry creased her features. “God, you’ve lost weight. You look like hell.”

I brushed it off with a shrug. “I’m fine. How about you? Getting any decent rest these last few days?”

Lucia’s face softened, and I could tell my concern

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

touched something in her. “Actually, yeah. I’ve been sleeping pretty well.”

She stretched her hand toward me, her voice gentle. “Come closer. Let me get a proper look at you.”

I sighed and stepped forward, knowing resistance was pointless.

Lucia’s fingers found my cheek, warm and maternal. “You’re walking around with this doom–and–gloom expression. Something eating at you?”

I hadn’t expected her to call me out so directly. Caught off guard, I nodded. “Yeah.”

There was something genuinely warm about Lucia- nothing like Ophelia’s cold, intimidating vibe that always made people want to run for cover.

Lucia’s smile grew even warmer. “Want to talk about it? I’m all ears.”

After a beat of hesitation, I found myself spilling everything before I could stop myself.

The moment the words left my mouth, panic hit me like a freight train. ‘Shit, did I just blow Amara’s secret?

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

What if this gets out because of my big mouth?‘

Before I could spiral into full–blown anxiety, Lucia flashed me that reassuring smile. “Would you be okay with me meeting your friend?”

Even with all my worries about Amara spinning

through my head, when Lucia asked again, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

“If you’re up for it, I’d love to bring you along,” I said quietly.

Lucia’s smile widened. “How about we head over

now?”

Concern flickered through me. “But Lucia, you need to focus on recovering. You shouldn’t—”

Before I could finish my protest, Lucia was already throwing back the covers and reaching for her slippers.

When she saw me still hesitating, Lucia sat up straighter and locked eyes with me. “Blanche, when you’re okay, Vincent’s okay. When Vincent’s doing well, so am I. Maybe that’s not what you want to hear,

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

but I’ve never stood in the way of anyone Vincent cares about. I always try to show them my best side. Seeing you upset like this–I can’t just sit here doing nothing. If there’s any way I can help, I want to try. Even if it doesn’t work out, I need to at least attempt

it.”

I stood there, completely speechless after hearing her

confession.

Lucia figured if Vincent was happy, then I had to be happy too. That’s just how deep her love ran.

‘This is what a real parent should be like,‘ I couldn’t help thinking. Ophelia, on the other hand… she’d never thought that way.

Seeing Lucia’s gentleness, my eyes started burning before I realized it. My voice came out shaky. “Thank you, Aunt Lucia.”

When Lucia saw me tearing up, she reached over to brush the tears away. “Come on, let’s go. Helping Amara Jerry is what matters right now. Every minute we waste gives those bastards more time to cover their tracks.”

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

I nodded and moved to steady Lucia at her side.

As we walked out of the hospital room together, Vincent was posted by the door. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by a slight frown.

But the next second, his expression melted into a warm smile.

When Vincent didn’t budge, Lucia threw him a playful complaint. “Good dogs don’t block doorways! Haven’t you heard that one?”

Vincent finally stepped aside with a chuckle.

I helped Lucia as we made our way slowly toward the elevator.

When the elevator doors slid open, all three of us stepped inside.

I stood next to Lucia, but my attention drifted to our reflections in the polished elevator walls.

In the mirrored surface, Vincent was smiling, Lucia too —but I looked like a walking question mark, full of doubt and uncertainty.

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

Vincent came from serious money, and Lucia moved in

those elite social circles.

With backgrounds like theirs, how could people in their world ever really accept someone like me?

Before I could sink deeper into that rabbit hole, the elevator reached the first floor.

The doors opened to reveal Zain and Joanna waiting outside.

They stood apart at first, but the second Joanna spotted me, her hand shot out to grab Zain’s.

She was marking her territory–making damn sure I knew Zain belonged to her.

Instead of getting pissed, I let out a small, dismissive

snort.

Zain had seen me too. His gaze locked onto mine, brow furrowed, eyes dark and intense–like a predator sizing up its prey.

I could practically feel his anger rolling off him in waves, but I deliberately looked away, treating him like empty air.

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

Vincent caught Zain staring and immediately stepped in front of me, blocking his view without missing a

beat.

With me now hidden from sight, Zain shifted his focus to Vincent.

The two men sized each other up in silence–like they’d fought this same wordless battle a thousand times before.

Zain’s expression was arctic, his eyes radiating danger.

Vincent, meanwhile, wore a cocky, triumphant grin- absolutely shameless in how pleased he looked.

Lucia picked up on the tension immediately and jumped in with deliberate cheerfulness. “My daughter–in–law is just incredible! Even when I’m stuck in this place, she runs around every day taking care of me, and now she wants to take me out for some fresh air. Honestly, I hit the absolute jackpot!”

Joanna rolled her eyes at Lucia’s words, contempt written all over her face.

Zain quietly clenched his fingers at his side, the

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

movement barely visible but loaded with tension.

‘Wait, Blanche’s already met Vincent’s parents?‘ The realization slammed into Zain, leaving him feeling even

more bitter.

And from the looks of things, Lucia absolutely adored Blanche–just thinking about it made Zain’s mood plummet further.

A heavy knot settled in Zain’s chest right then.

He looked like he wanted to say something–anything -but the words seemed to die in his throat.

After what felt like an eternity of silent staring, both sides finally broke away and headed in opposite

directions.

As I walked out of that elevator, I couldn’t resist stealing one last glance at Zain.

Zain looked right back at me, unmistakable accusation burning in his eyes.

I didn’t say a word. I just took Lucia’s arm and walked

away.

266 Chapter 266 A Battle Fought In Silence

Zain lingered by those elevator doors, watching us disappear, his expression heavy as stone.

Joanna noticed the gloom on his face and finally spoke up. “What’s wrong?”

Zain’s expression turned ice–cold as he stepped into the elevator, brushing off Joanna’s question with a chilly, “Nothing.”

After that, he went completely silent.

Joanna stood beside him, practically feeling the chill radiating from his body.

For some reason, an unfamiliar feeling bubbled up inside her.

Zain was right there in front of her, but suddenly Joanna felt like he was slipping through her fingers like water.