The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 27

27 Chapter 27 What Was Never Yours

Blanche’s POV

“Zain.”

I’d barely gotten his name out when Joanna’s voice cut right through mine.

Zain turned around. “Yeah?”

Joanna sauntered over, gave me a dismissive glance, then handed him a note. “Carry needs her hair dried–now.”

“Sure thing,” Zain replied.

“Better hurry–she’s finishing up her shower.”

Joanna headed toward the bedroom.

“Got it.”

Zain faced me again, but whatever I’d been about to say had vanished from his memory.

He suddenly threw in, “Our scheduled night’s coming up–I’ll make it home on time.”

For months now, I’d blown off our scheduled nights at Alexander Villa. Zain was quietly fuming.

Another baby, the sooner the better–but my stomach remained stubbornly flat. Miss another cycle and he’d drag me to the fertility

clinic.

I started to tell him I was finished having his children, but he steamrolled ahead. “You still staying at the villa, or what?”

I stayed silent. Instead, I interrupted, steady and razor–sharp. “Zain, I won’t be having another baby with you.”

Final answer: not with him, ever.

After our divorce I’d find someone else, or grow old solo–whatever happened next could sort itself out.

Zain paused, then gave an icy shrug. “Fine. No second kid. You can break the news to Mom yourself.”

I raised an eyebrow. “My body, my choice. If Ms. Barth has a problem with that, she can dial 911.”

Zain’s jaw tightened–he’d never seen me draw first blood before.

We’d conceived Carry in one shot, then came years of sweatpants and sleepless feedings.

When the “baby number two” conversations began, we’d fallen into our monthly routine: a set date each month, candles, special dinner.

I used to be compliant. Now I was a ticking time bomb.

Before, I’d cook elaborate meals every single day. Even when Zain was a no–show, I’d still savor every bite.

Except I’d been skipping the main event–Zain craved a willing body, not gourmet food.

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27 Chapter 27 What Was Never Yours

After we stared each other down, his quiet chuckle revealed everything and nothing. I didn’t waste energy trying to interpret it.

Maybe it was contempt. Maybe he figured I was deluding myself. Or maybe he just saw me having a meltdown…

None of it mattered anymore.

I’d made my decision: no more scheduled nights.

And the truth about my second pregnancy would remain buried forever.

From upstairs Joanna yelled, “Zain, hair duty!”

“On my way.” Zain shot me one final look, then bounded up the stairs two at a time.

I stood frozen until Heidi appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Jacob, should I prepare the guest room?”

I shook myself back to reality. “No guest room necessary.”

The bedroom where I’d spent countless nights rocking Carry to sleep now belonged to Zain–and to Joanna.

I walked out of Blissfield Villa, climbed into my car, and sobbed through the entire drive home.

Tears were cheap medicine, keeping them locked up cost too much.

Once I’d cried myself empty, I drove to Callum Mansion, my only refuge. By the time I pulled up, it was well past midnight.

A figure paced by the gate–Quinton.

He stopped dead when my headlights found him, standing motionless until I got out.

Checking that I was okay, Quinton was about to head inside.

“Big brother,” I suddenly called out.

“What’s wrong now?” he snapped, half–annoyed, half–worried.

I threw myself into his arms, breaking down completely. “You’re all I have left–please don’t abandon me.”

His heart shattered. He rubbed my back with gentle understanding, fingers threading through my hair. “About time you crashed and

figured it out.”

I smeared tears and snot across his crisp pajamas. My sobs came in broken, gasping waves. “I’m such a fool–had to learn the hard way.”

He soothed me. “What was never meant to be yours will never be yours. Fighting for it only brings pain.”

“I’m just scared about Mom and Dad,” I sniffled.

“I’ll handle them, he assured me, wiping my tears with his thumb.

I nodded but couldn’t stop the waterworks.

“Ugly crying–knock it off.” A wobbly smile finally broke through.

Beneath the mansion’s old oak tree, Amber and little Camila were watching.

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27 Chapter 27 What Was Never Yours

Camila ran over with outstretched arms. “Aunt Blanche, when I grow up I’ll take care of you–just like your daughter!”

I pinched Camila’s cheek. “Auntie has her own savings. I’ll put money aside for your wedding instead.”

Camila giggled and spun toward Amber, who had joined Quinton’s side. “Mommy, I want you and Auntie to both come to my

Thanksgiving performance! Teacher says the top students get gold stars and get to host next semester’s opening ceremony!”

Amber nestled against Quinton, her smile radiant as she answered, “Well then, you’d better ask your aunt if she’s willing.”

Camila’s eyes lit up. I touched noses with her. “Mission accepted, Captain.”

Camila shrieked, “We’ll earn those stars together!” She spun in delighted circles and raced inside, victory dance in full swing.

Amber beamed at me. “Camila’s been planning this for weeks. She’s over the moon that you said yes.”

“Mmm,” I murmured. “As long as Camila’s happy, I’m thrilled to go with her.”

Amber could see the heartbreak hiding behind my smile and suspected the whole Carry situation was my breaking point, so she dropped

the kid topic.

“Come home, Blanche. Whatever’s happening, family’s got your back.”

I smiled back. “I know.”

The next morning I arrived at the hospital early, switched my schedule, and took the pediatric surgery desk–usually a quiet assignment.

Early morning, an adult patient walked in–hoodie, baseball cap, face mask, bundled up like he was hiding from the world.

No appointment showed on my screen. I opened my mouth to redirect him, but the stranger ripped off his mask.

The face staring back at me hit like a punch to the gut, and I jumped to my feet.

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