The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 39

39 Chapter 39 Leave The Kid Out

39 Chapter 39 Leave The Kid Out

Blanche’s POV 1

Joanna’s piano skills were absolutely incredible, and that designer dress she wore was drop–dead gorgeous.

Problem was, this was supposed to be about the kids, not some adult talent show.

I watched Carry stumble through her dance moves, completely off–beat and clumsy as the melody continued.

Hushed voices and complaints started bubbling up from the parents around me.

“Sure, she’s stunning, but seriously? Hogging the spotlight at a kids‘ event? This is supposed to celebrate our children, not become her

personal concert.”

“Look at that poor girl – she’s a mess up there, and mom just keeps playing. Anyone would think this is some kind of parent beauty

pageant.”

“The kid’s already given up, but she’s still going at those keys.”

“And that little one? Her dancing’s terrible. Why even bother with this disaster? A simple song would’ve been way better.”

“Just showing off mommy’s talents, but it’s totally bombing.”

“Yeah, the girl’s just standing there like a statue – looks pretty dim, if you ask me.”

Carry had quit dancing, but the piano kept going.

I could see every cruel word hitting that little girl. Her eyes filled with tears, and she fought hard not to break down completely.

Joanna was lost in her music, totally oblivious to everything – even Carry’s obvious distress.

Finally, the piano went quiet!

Joanna had given everything to that performance, clearly expecting wild applause and cheers. Instead, she stood up to nothing but

whispers and judgmental murmurs.

And there was Carry, crying beside her.

“Carry, what happened?” Joanna rushed over, panic in her voice as she knelt down.

Carry shoved Joanna’s hand away, stayed silent, and walked off the stage.

Watching people tear apart Carry made my blood boil. When she left, I started to get up and follow her. But then Yesenia called Camila’s

name.

Camila noticed how worried I was about Carry. “Aunt Blanche, go check on her, Mom and I can handle the performance.”

I looked down at Camila, jaw clenched. “No. I’ll find her after we’re done.”

We’d rehearsed this routine countless times at the Callum Mansion – I wasn’t about to let Camila’s moment fall apart because of me.

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Camila tried to argue that I should go after Carry, but I just touched her cheek gently. “Come on, let’s do this.”

Despite everything, the three of us took the stage together.

Our fairy tale skit captivated the audience and earned us roaring applause and genuine appreciation from everyone.

Backstage, Joanna chased after Carry, apologizing repeatedly. “Carry, I’m so sorry. I should have thought this through.”

Carry’s eyes were bloodshot from crying, and she just stared at Joanna wordlessly, her heart breaking in silence.

But Joanna was the one who insisted on playing piano, and she was the one who wanted to dance too.

Now that everything had crashed and burned, was it fair to blame Joanna?

Joanna always looked stunning in her evening gowns, playing piano under spotlights – audiences typically adored it. So why was the kindergarten crowd so different? Carry couldn’t wrap her head around it.

The sound of applause grabbed her attention. She turned to see Blanche and Camila on stage.

Blanche could see the confusion etched on Carry’s face, as if the little girl couldn’t grasp why the crowd’s reaction was so different from

her own experience.

Up on stage, I couldn’t stop worrying about Carry and kept stealing glances her way.

When I looked over, I caught the jealousy and bewilderment in that little girl’s eyes.

Carry spotted me too, and her throat tightened. Her eyes welled up again.

Blanche could see the deep longing in Carry’s eyes, perhaps wondering if her own mother’s presence would have garnered similar

applause.

Just thinking about it made Carry’s face crumple with bitterness.

I could sense Carry’s resentment, perhaps feeling overlooked as her mother chose Camila’s event instead of hers.

The little girl looked angry and hurt, her heart clearly aching. She quietly hugged Joanna for comfort.

Joanna didn’t know what to say and just kept rubbing Carry’s back, trying to soothe her.

Soon enough, all the performances ended. Camila’s skit took first place and earned her three red flower stickers.

After the awards, Yesenia announced the next activity – cooking together.

Carry was with the younger kids while Camila was in the middle group, so we got separated. During the cooking session, Carry and I couldn’t sit together.

Each group of five kids and their parents clustered around big round tables to make dumplings. Once finished, we’d cook them and eat

together.

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The younger and middle classes sat close enough that I could keep an eye on Carry while making my dumplings.

Joanna sat next to Carry, but her over–the–top glamorous outfit made her stick out like a sore thumb among the other parents.

Still determined to help Carry save face, Joanna pushed up her sleeves and grabbed some dough.

The second she pressed down, one of her long nails snapped backward, and blood dripped right onto the dough. Everyone at the table.

stared in shock.

“Excuse me, lady, are you here for your kid’s activity or some fashion show? You just bled all over the dough – how are the children

supposed to eat that?” one parent snapped.

“Look at yourself – all dolled up and fancy, but you still manage to disgust everyone,” another added.

“What kind of mother are you? Didn’t you think to cut your nails or dress appropriately for a kindergarten event?” a third parent shook

her head.

“Did you just pick this kid up from the streets or something?” someone else sneered.

Joanna had never faced this kind of public humiliation before. Her face burned red with shame, and her hand went numb with pain as

blood kept seeping from her broken nail.

Hearing their nasty comments, Carry jumped up and shot back, “You’re disgusting and rude! You’re the ones from the streets, not me!”

But the parents didn’t care about being cruel to a child.

They fired back at Carry, “Such a little thing already talking back to adults. No manners whatsoever. Your mom’s probably too busy dressing up to catch men’s attention to teach you how to behave properly, right?”

The commotion was loud enough that I heard every vicious word from my nearby table. The moment those poisonous comments

reached my ears, I shot up from my seat.

I marched over in quick strides and knocked the dough bowl clean off their table. Glaring daggers at that woman with the toxic mouth, I

snapped, “Attack the adults all you want, but leave the kid out of it!”

As I approached, Carry ran off, feeling completely defeated. Seeing her flee, Joanna hurried after her. “Carry, wait!”

My fierce energy intimidated them, and since that nasty–mouthed woman knew she was wrong, she backed down and kept quiet.

When Joanna rushed outside, Carry had already disappeared. Heart racing, she fumbled for her phone and quickly called Zain.

“Zain, are you here yet? Some parents just attacked Carry, and she ran off – I can’t find her anywhere,” Joanna said, her voice shaking

with panic.

Zain had promised to attend Carry’s kindergarten family day, he was just running late.

Hearing that Carry had been verbally assaulted, Zain’s expression darkened. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Feeling terrible, Joanna apologized, “Zain, I’m so sorry, I failed to protect Carry properly.”

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Zain didn’t blame her. “You’re naturally gentle. I know this wasn’t your fault. Wait for me to arrive. I’ll take care of this.”

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