The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 281

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next

Time

Zain’s POVO

Watching Carry’s anxious expression made me pause, but I knew I had to check on Joanna at school first.

I kept my voice gentle. “I get it. We’ll head over right

now.”

Carry nodded quickly. “Okay?”

Then her gaze drifted to Blanche, who stood nearby with Vincent at her side.

They didn’t look like just friends.

I could see something flickering across Carry’s face- an uneasiness that made her shoulders tense. A shadow of worry crossed her features. From her expression, I could tell she was battling some internal fear about Blanche’s attention, about whether she’d still matter if Blanche had other children someday.

The thought seemed to stop her cold, like she couldn’t

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

bear to dive deeper into that possibility. The mother who used to make her the center of everything… Carry’s face showed she believed that woman had stopped caring long ago.

After settling on my decision, I turned back to Blanche. “Come with me.”

Vincent’s grin turned wicked. “Zain, you’re running off to see your sweetheart–shouldn’t I get to see mine too?”

I didn’t bother responding. My eyes stayed locked on

Blanche.

Finally, I spoke again. “You coming or not?”

Vincent’s playful mood vanished. He stormed over to Blanche, putting himself between us, and snapped, “If you’re gonna bail, just go. Don’t drag my girl into this

mess.”

I let his anger bounce off me like it hit cotton.

Blanche poked Vincent in the back from behind.

He whipped around, his voice dropping to a growl. “Seriously? You’re really gonna go with him to check

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

on his precious sweetheart?”

Blanche looked up at him and nodded simply. “Yeah.”

Vincent’s hands balled into fists, but he wrestled his temper back under control.

Blanche stepped around Vincent and walked up to me. “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

Vincent seemed to read Blanche like an open book. He’d probably caught everything Blanche said to me in the bedroom earlier. Vincent knew Blanche was hell–bent on this divorce–nothing would change her mind this time.

But my mood kept shifting unpredictably–caring one second, indifferent the next. Nobody could figure out what I wanted… honestly, maybe I didn’t know either.

I watched Vincent eyeing me with obvious disdain, looking more disgusted by the second. He thought Blanche was playing along with me, but he had no clue she was just counting down until those papers got signed.

Since Vincent wasn’t putting up a fight, Blanche

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

relaxed. She turned to me. “Let’s go.”

I took Carry’s hand and nodded. “Okay”

The three of us headed downstairs together–like a family.

Vincent stood back, watching us leave. I could see fury burning through him, but all he could do was clench his jaw and swallow it.

As we came downstairs, Irene walked back from grocery shopping. She’d just finished loading the fridge when she spotted us–me, Blanche, and Carry.

All her attention went straight to Carry, worry creasing her features. “Carry, Grandma bought some ribs. Want Grandma to make you rib soup later?”

Carry kept her expression icy and shook her head. “No thanks. We’re leaving”

Irene’s worry deepened, her brow furrowing. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Is Grandma’s cooking not good enough?”

Carry didn’t answer. She just stayed silent, keeping her emotions locked up.

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

I jumped in quickly. “Mom, a friend of mine hurt her ankle. We need to check on her, so we can’t stay for

lunch.”

Irene ignored me completely and turned to Blanche

instead.

Blanche met her eyes. “I’m going out for a bit, Grandma. I’ll be back soon.”

Irene had things she wanted to say, but with me standing there, she couldn’t speak freely. She just gave Blanche a meaningful look, hoping she’d understand.

Blanche caught the hint immediately. She nodded and replied softly, “Yeah, I’ll be back soon.”

Irene still looked unsure. She waved her phone. “Make sure you call me, okay?”

Blanche promised quickly, “Sure.”

I didn’t think much of Irene’s words.

Since we were in a hurry, I turned to her. “Mom, we’re rushed today. Next time, I’ll come over and really spend time with you guys.”

<

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

I walked over, pulled a bank card from my pocket, and handed it to Irene. “Just a little something–please

take it.”

Irene glanced at Blanche, looking uncertain.

Blanche nodded at her immediately, signaling she should accept it.

Right now, anything I offered, Blanche seemed fine taking–no way she was turning it down. If Blanche didn’t take it, I’d probably just end up spending it on Joanna anyway.

We’d been married five years, and with divorce looming, Blanche probably figured she deserved to walk away with something.

When Irene finally took the card, relief washed through me. Whatever Blanche felt about it, at least Irene wasn’t rejecting what I gave her. That realization made me feel slightly better.

Finally, I pulled Carry close and bent down. “Carry, we’re about to leave. Say goodbye to Grandma.”

Carry looked reluctant, her voice flat. “Bye, Grandma.”

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

She mumbled it without any real feeling.

Blanche heard this and turned to me. “If Carry doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to say goodbye.”

I didn’t get upset at Blanche’s words, but Carry huffed loudly, clearly annoyed.

After her little huff, Carry stomped toward the front

door.

I quickly turned to Irene. “Mom, take care of yourself. We’re heading out. We’ll get together again next time.”

Irene just nodded. “Okay.”

But like Carry, she didn’t seem thrilled about it either.

Blanche’s POV

As Zain spoke about meeting again next time, my heart twisted painfully, frustration and heaviness settling deep in my chest.

I wasn’t doing this for any noble reason–just surviving these last few days. Once the cooling–off period ended and the divorce went through, I could stop giving a

< 281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

damn what Zain thought.

But right now, I was terrified he might chicken out and cancel everything.

I couldn’t handle waiting another month. I definitely couldn’t stand being tied to him any longer.

For the next few days, I’d just grit my teeth and push through.

When I agreed to come with him, Zain shot Vincent a smug look, but Vincent just stared back, completely unbothered. Vincent knew I was hell–bent on this

divorce–nothing would change my mind this time.

‘If Zain had shown me even one percent of this effort back then, maybe I wouldn’t have ended up so disappointed in him,’ I thought, bitterness creeping through me.

But now, all these changes–too little, too late–meant nothing to me anymore.

He was talking about meeting again next time, but I couldn’t help wondering, ‘Was there even going to be a next time?‘

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

Only one week left until the divorce cooling–off period ended.

Once this week was over, I knew in my heart—I’d be done with Zain, for good. No more ties, no looking

back.

So there wouldn’t ever be a next time.

Once we got outside, Zain went after Carry while I took my time, making my way toward them.

But suddenly, a massive dog–no leash, completely wild -charged out from the yard, heading straight for

Carry.

When Carry saw it, she let out a terrified scream.

Zain spotted the beast too. In an instant, with the dog about to lunge, he rushed over and scooped Carry into his arms, holding her tight and keeping her safe.

I’d been taking my time–until the instant I spotted that dog charging toward Carry. In that split second, “mom mode” kicked in. Fierce and protective, I was ready to fight for my kid.

I didn’t even think—just grabbed my bag and

281 Chapter 281 There Is No Next Time

brandished it at the dog, heart pounding, instinct taking over.

The dog screeched to a halt, spun around, and bolted in the opposite direction.

Carry was sobbing her heart out, clinging to Zain’s shirt desperately.

Zain kept comforting her, gathering her up in his arms again.

I stayed on high alert–my eyes scanning around, ready to jump in if another dog appeared.

As Zain soothed Carry, he glanced over at me. I could see something warm spreading across his face as he watched me standing there, tense and ready to protect them both.

‘He keeps thinking I still care, I thought, my chest tightening. ‘But this isn’t about him–it’s about Carry. It’s always been about her.’