The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 34

34 Chapter 34 What Really Matters

Zain’s POV 1

Blanche had stormed off with that self–righteous, stubborn expression, and it made my temper flare.

To me, Blanche wasn’t the devoted mother she once was–ditching Carry’s school events was one thing, but now she was dumping all

the parenting responsibilities on me.

The more I dwelled on it, the more my anger toward her grew.

She used to handle everything personally, caring for Carry with meticulous attention.

But now? She couldn’t even be bothered with her own child.

Just as my fury peaked, Joánna’s voice drifted from behind me. “Zain.”

Her gentle tone cooled my rage slightly.

“Finished?” I turned to her, the harsh edge in my gaze softening.

Joanna approached and stood beside me. “Yes, all done.”

She could sense my agitation, so she asked quietly, “What’s wrong? Did you argue with Ms. Callum?”

I didn’t feel like explaining. I just shook my head. “Never mind. Let’s go get Carry.”

Once in the car, I didn’t immediately turn the key.

Joanna, seated in the passenger seat, noticed my hesitation. “Something bothering you?”

Blanche’s earlier words still troubled me. I asked, “Has Carry been causing problems at school?”

Joanna managed all of Carry’s school affairs.

Since Blanche mentioned Carry’s troublemaking at school, I figured Joanna would know the details.

Joanna paused briefly, then laughed softly. “Carry’s such an angel. How could she possibly cause trouble?”

I considered this, then said simply, “Right, I trust you.”

I started the engine.

As we drove away, guilt flickered across Joanna’s features.

There were things she preferred to keep from me. If she revealed the truth, I might think she couldn’t properly care for Carry.

So she chose to conceal the problematic incidents from me.

Soon, we arrived at the kindergarten.

Just before dismissal, Joanna received a call from her school.

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She answered, “What? A meeting now?”

“Fine, I’ll head over immediately.”

She tried to decline, but couldn’t.

I told her to go. I even summoned my driver to take Joanna back to her school.

When Carry emerged from school, I collected her myself. The teacher mentioned nothing unusual, which convinced me even more that

Carry hadn’t misbehaved.

In the car, Carry sat restlessly–partly from the school incident, partly from our abrupt departure from Callum Mansion.

Her emotions seemed tangled inside her, making her inexplicably irritable.

Carry suddenly said, “Daddy.”

“Yes?” I responded.

“Has Mom called you? Or… have you seen her?” she asked.

For some reason, Carry suddenly seemed to long for her mother.

Recently, Joanna had been handling her school pickup and drop–off.

I could see something was troubling her deeply. She kept fidgeting with her hands and looking down with such sadness. When she finally

looked up at me, I noticed how much she seemed to miss the little things Blanche used to do–the way her face would light up when she

talked about her mother’s cooking, or how she’d unconsciously touch her hair as if remembering different hairstyles. There was a

longing in her eyes that spoke of missing Blanche’s personal care and attention to details that only a mother would think of.

I studied her, confused. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I kept my voice tender. “Yes, I saw her today.”

Carry brightened. Sitting up straight, she asked, “Did she seem happy today?”

I frowned. “Why do you ask, sweetheart?”

Carry looked down, her spirits falling. “I think… Mom doesn’t love me anymore.”

That day when we returned to Callum Mansion, Carry had thrown a massive tantrum, but Blanche hadn’t even scolded her. Instead, she

sent her back to Blissfield Villa.

Blanche’s unusual reaction actually left Carry feeling unsettled.

Earlier at school, she’d heard another child say that indifference meant love was gone.

I saw tears forming in Carry’s eyes, and my heart broke for her. I gently touched her check and asked softly, “What makes you feel that

way, baby?”

Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, “Mom used to make me so many delicious things. She’d braid my hair in all sorts of beautiful

styles, and she taught me reading and drawing… But now, she…”

I pulled her close, stroking her hair. “Don’t think too much, sweetheart. Of course Mom loves you.”

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34 Chapter 34 What Really Matters

Carry cried harder. “But Mirabella said… indifference means no more love. Dad, Mom hasn’t cooked for me in ages.

I fell silent, remembering the old Blanche.

I had to admit that Blanche had changed dramatically.

That day at Jacob Manor, she’d even slept in a separate room from us.

Unsure how to console Carry, I simply asked, “Want to call Mom now?”

Still hiccupping from tears, Carry nodded. “Yes.”

I gave her the phone. “Go ahead, say whatever you want.”

Blanche’s POV

Carry took the phone and dialed my number.

It rang several times before I finally answered.

“Hello?” I said curtly. My cold tone made Carry’s heart sink.

“Mom, we have an event on Thanksgiving. Can you come?” Carry asked.

She was hoping for a yes, not even daring to mention asking me to apologize to Joanna.

That day at Callum Mansion, she could already sense something was wrong with me.

My tone softened slightly when I realized it was my daughter. I replied, “Carry, Mommy has commitments that day, so I can’t make it.”

I had already promised Camila, and I wasn’t going to break my word.

Carry’s heart dropped, but she tried again, “Mom, can you make me blueberry pie tomorrow morning? I really miss that taste.”

In the past, I would wake up early just to get fresh blueberries from the market and bake it for her.

I never minded the effort. All I wanted was for Carry to be healthy and happy.

My eyes welled up as I remembered those times, but I still declined. “Honey, I need to stay at Callum Mansion to care for Grandma. Ask

Heidi to make it for you, okay?”

“What’s wrong with Grandma? Is she alright?” Carry asked.

Actually, she didn’t really care about Irene. She just wanted me to think she was considerate.

I didn’t bother analyzing Carry’s motives.

I simply answered, “Nothing serious. Listen, I’m hanging up now. Make sure you get home early.”

“Mom…” Carry called out quickly before the line could disconnect.

I asked, “What else?”

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34 Chapter 34 What Really Matters

Carry hesitated before saying, “Can I… visit Grandma?”

I was somewhat surprised by that request, but I still refused. “You don’t need to worry about that. Just concentrate on your

studies.

With teary eyes, Carry glanced at Zain, as if seeking his help.

Zain had overheard the entire conversation.

He’d never witnessed me being this distant with our daughter before.

Seeing Carry so crushed pained him, so Zain took the phone and said to me, “Carry wants you to come home.”

Inside, I scoffed, ‘Come home? Home to where exactly?‘

But I didn’t voice that question. I answered, “I’m swamped lately. I’ll return when I have time.”

I was about to hang up when Zain snapped, “Blanche, can’t you see what really matters?”

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