The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 40

40 Chapter 40 A Calculated Goodbye

Blanche’s POV 1

Joanna ended her call and spun around, spotting me rushing toward her with anxiety written all over my face as I called out for Carry.

Blood still dripped from Joanna’s broken nail, but she seemed too distracted by the pain to notice.

Carry had vanished, and Joanna clearly had no clue how she’d explain this mess to Zain.

When I got close enough, Joanna spoke up. “Hi, Ms. Callum.”

I shot her an icy stare. “Where’s Carry?”

Joanna raised her injured hand and gestured. “She probably headed that way.”

I didn’t waste another second on words. I brushed past Joanna and took off in that direction.

The school event continued around us, but Camila had sent Amber to help me track down Carry, worried about how frantic I’d become.

I combed through every classroom, but Carry was nowhere to be found.

Finally, I made my way to the restroom. Right as I was about to step inside, Zain emerged with Carry cradled in his arms.

Carry had obviously been crying hard. She rested against Zain’s shoulder, her small body still trembling with leftover sobs.

Zain’s large hand moved in soothing circles across her back, both calming her and keeping her secure.

My heart clenched seeing my daughter in such distress, and I called out softly, “Carry?”

Zain’s expression turned glacial, his eyes cutting through me like ice. The cold radiating from him felt suffocating, like it might swallow

me whole.

“So this is what you call something important?” His voice came out as a low rumble from his chest, every word dripping with accusation.

Just moments earlier in the restroom, Carry had been crying like her entire world had crumbled,

Zain had only needed to ask her a few questions to piece together exactly what had gone down.

He’d discovered that my “important matter” was nothing more than supporting Camila’s performance.

He’d learned why people were spreading gossip about his daughter, and he’d found out that Joanna had hurt her nail defending Carry.

I could tell Carry had filled Zain in on everything, but his intimidating presence didn’t faze me one bit. I replied, “Yeah, I gave Camila my

word first.”

My complete lack of remorse, the way I acted like I had every right to my choice, only fueled Zain’s anger. He let out a bitter laugh. “You really think this is perfectly normal, don’t you?”

In Zain’s mind, I was completely wrong for not prioritizing Carry. But he had no idea that I’d already decided to walk away from both of

them.

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40 Chapter 40 A Calculated Goodbye

I had zero interest in defending my actions to Zain. I simply said, “Think whatever you want.”

Zain looked crushed. Without another word, he turned to walk away with Carry, tossing back, “Since you obviously don’t want any part

of Carry’s life, then stay out of it from now on.”

With that, Zain strode right past me, carrying Carry away.

I called after his retreating form, my voice cold as steel, “Fine by me.”

Zain froze mid–step and whirled back around, glaring at me. “You-”

He’d clearly expected me to fight for Carry, which was why he’d thrown out such a harsh ultimatum.

But he never anticipated that I’d agree so readily.

The version of me who used to treat her daughter like her entire universe had apparently vanished. The woman facing him now must

have felt like a complete stranger.

I stepped closer and met Zain’s gaze head–on. “Since that’s what you want, let me make this crystal clear. Starting today, I’m done

interfering in Carry’s life.”

I wasn’t just lashing out in anger; I’d been planning this decision for ages.

Zain stared at me, his brow creased and his face stormy.

Hearing my declaration, Carry slowly raised her head from Zain’s shoulder.

Are they about to fight again? Or is Mom actually going to stop caring about me? Carry’s thoughts seemed written across her worried

face as she called out hesitantly, “Mom?”

I looked at my daughter, my heart breaking for her. But remembering Camila’s advice, I still moved forward.

Zain didn’t pull Carry away as I approached, though he refused to look at me.

I reached out gently and caressed Carry’s cheek. “Carry, I’ve told you before. You can’t go around bullying others, or treating people

badly, or calling them nasty names.

“And when you mess up, you need to make things right. Do you understand?”

Carry’s eyes turned red, and tears poured down her face as she nodded repeatedly. “I understand, Mom.”

I brushed away the tears at the corners of her eyes and smiled softly. “You performed beautifully up there on stage. Even though

everything didn’t go perfectly, just having the guts to get up there makes you braver than most people.

“People will always talk, whether it’s good or bad, but you need to have faith in yourself. If your dance didn’t turn out how you wanted,

we’ll practice harder next time. You really don’t need to worry about what those people are saying.”

The more I comforted her, the more heartbroken Carry seemed to feel, and she began crying even harder.

I gently stroked the top of her head. “But always remember what Mom told you–when you make a mistake, you have to make it right.”

Carry kept nodding through her tears that just wouldn’t stop.

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40 Chapter 40 A Calculated Goodbye

“From now on, make sure you listen to your dad, okay? And if anything at school bothers you, tell him about it, all right?” I continued.

Zain couldn’t take any more. He shifted Carry in his arms and gave me a cold, harsh look. “Save the lectures. I’ll take care of my own

daughter.”

My words sounded like I was saying goodbye to Carry forever, as if this might be our last conversation.

For some reason, Zain seemed to have a heavy weight pressing on his chest. He couldn’t stand to hear me go on anymore, so he lifted

Carry and marched straight toward the school exit.

Carry clung to Zain’s shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably and wailing, “Mommy, I want Mommy, Daddy, put me down, I want Mommy.”

Zain ignored her pleas and simply walked out of the kindergarten with her in his arms.

I watched Zain and Carry disappear, staring after them until they were completely gone.

Only then did I press my hand over my mouth, choking back my sobs.

I’d risked everything just to bring Carry into this world. Of course, I wanted to stay by my daughter’s side forever.

But ultimately, my daughter didn’t really need me at all.

I collapsed in the corner, burying my face in my hands, struggling to keep from crying out loud.

Just then, someone touched my shoulder.

I dropped my hands and found Amber crouching beside me. I couldn’t hold back anymore and fell into Amber’s arms.

“Amber, do you think I’m being too heartless?”

I asked, my voice shaking.

Amber wrapped her arms around me, gently stroking my hair. “I’m a mother too. You wouldn’t have reached this breaking point unless

you were truly devastated.”

My voice came out as barely a whisper, heavy with guilt. “Maybe I don’t deserve to be a mom. I don’t want Carry to lose her mother, but I

just can’t figure out how to face either of them anymore.”

I had a husband whose heart belonged elsewhere, and a daughter who resented me and couldn’t care less about me. Existing in a family

like this was simply draining me dry.

Amber held me tighter. “You’ve made your decision, so don’t second–guess yourself. Let go, and you’ll finally be able to live on your own

terms.”

I nodded. “I know, Amber.”

Even though I’d made up my mind, Carry was still my child, the one I’d carried for nine long months. Letting go was tearing me apart.

But no matter how much it hurt, I was still determined to leave them both behind.

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