The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 58

58 Chapter 58 Trapped In His Embrace

58 Chapter 58 Trapped In His Embrace

Blanche’s POV 1

After I left Blissfield Villa, I drove straight back to the hospital for my shift. Once work wrapped up, I shot Demetrius a text asking if he

wanted to grab dinner. I really needed his input on grad school applications and the whole PhD process.

Demetrius was practically bouncing when he showed up, already rattling off his favorite dishes to the server. We settled into our booth

and dove right into conversation.

College stories, late–night study sessions, the brutal competition for graduate programs, and those nerve–wracking first surgeries–we

covered it all.

Demetrius had me cracking up with his war stories from residency. The guy could make even the most traumatic medical mishaps sound

hilarious.

He slipped in plenty of solid advice without making me panic about the whole grad school thing. Smart move on his part–I was already

stressed enough.

The whole evening felt easy, natural. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually relaxed like this.

As Demetrius described the hellish reality of doctoral programs, exhaustion and jealousy twisted in my chest. I couldn’t stop wondering

what would’ve happened if I hadn’t thrown away those dreams for marriage. Maybe I’d be in his world by now, instead of watching from

the sidelines.

But dwelling on what–ifs was pointless. I’d blown my first chance, but Aiden’s offer wasn’t going anywhere. This time, I wouldn’t let it slip

through my fingers.

When we were finishing up, Demetrius slid a small bag across the table with a grin. “Study materials. I highlighted the crucial stuff. With

your brain, you’ll nail this in no time, easy.”

I clutched the bag, throat tight with gratitude. “Thanks, Demetrius. Really.”

He leaned back, eyes bright with excitement. “Can’t wait to see you tear up the medical world.”

Zain’s POV

Joanna and I strolled through the restaurant entrance. The server perked up immediately. “Your usual table, Mr. Jacob?”

“Yeah,” I said flatly.

“Right this way, sir.” The server led us to a spot that happened to be behind where Blanche sat with Demetrius. Close enough to notice, far enough to avoid eavesdropping,

Blanche’s back was to our table, so when I settled into my seat and glanced around, I spotted her easily. But I didn’t seem particularly

interested.

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58 Chapter 58 Trapped In His Embrace

She’d already promised to come back to Blissfield Villa whenever Carry needed her. As far as I was concerned, we were square.

Joanna, facing away from Blanche, didn’t notice anything. But Demetrius definitely clocked Joanna and me. Both of us locked eyes briefly

before turning our attention back to our respective dinner companions.

I handed my tablet to the server after ordering. “Water with a splash of sugar.”

The server practically glowed with approval. “You’re so sweet to your girlfriend, Mr. Jacob.”

Joanna’s cheeks went pink at the comment. I didn’t react–didn’t confirm or deny anything.

When our food arrived, I served Joanna first, but I caught myself glancing over when Blanche burst into laughter at one of Demetrius’s

stories. She’d covered her mouth, trying to muffle the giggles, but they still carried across the restaurant.

Her old laugh used to irritate me–too eager to please, too desperate for my approval. But something about tonight’s laughter felt

different. Genuine. And for some reason, it seemed to unsettle me.

Joanna picked up on my mood shift instantly. She leaned closer, voice soft with concern. “Zain, everything okay?”

I forced a smile. “Fine. You said you were starving earlier. Go ahead and eat.”

She didn’t push. “Okay.”

Demetrius and Blanche wrapped up dinner soon after. To avoid any awkward encounters, he steered her toward the back exit.

I watched the whole thing, but didn’t seem particularly bothered. As long as she held up her end with Carry, the rest was apparently

none of my business.

Blanche’s POV

The next morning, I headed back to Blissfield Villa early. Sure, Zain and I had a deal, but it went deeper than that. As Carry’s mother, I

had responsibilities. Even if she couldn’t stand me, she was still my daughter.

I’d been working on adjusting my perspective these past few days. Taking care of Carry wasn’t just an obligation–it was the right thing

to do.

Making her breakfast felt less awkward now. Today I was preparing soup and sandwiches, different options so she could pick whatever

appealed to her.

While washing my hands at the kitchen sink, a sudden chill ran down my spine, followed by the distinctive sound of a zipper sliding

open.

I was wearing a dress, and when I’d bent over to prep the sandwiches, the zipper had apparently worked itself loose, exposing my back.

Zain had just returned from his morning run when he noticed the kitchen lights. After seeing me with Demetrius last night, he’d probably wondered if I’d still show up to make Carry breakfast.

He must have peeked in and spotted me at the sink, back turned, completely unaware of my wardrobe malfunction.

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58 Chapter 58 Trapped In His Embrace

I felt him approach before I heard him. Warm fingers brushed my spine as he carefully pulled the zipper back up.

I spun around, heart hammering, every instinct on high alert. When I saw it was Zain, the tension in my shoulders eased slightly.

His expression was unreadable, but something like amusement flickered in his eyes when he saw me relax.

“Your zipper came undone,” he said simply. “I fixed it.”

I stared at him, feeling an invisible barrier slam into place between us. It took a beat before I managed, “Thanks.”

Zain glanced at the soup bubbling on the stove, then said casually, “Make breakfast for me too from now on.”

I turned back to the sandwiches, not trusting myself to look at him. “I always make extra. Help yourself to whatever you want.”

“Okay,” he said quietly, still standing close behind me.

The soup reached a rolling boil, steam forcing the lid to dance and rattle. Before I could react, pressure built up too quickly and the lid

started to fly off.

I jerked backward instinctively, but strong hands caught my waist from behind, one arm reaching around me to catch the falling lid.

Suddenly I was trapped in Zain’s embrace.

His solid chest pressed against my back, his chin nearly resting on my shoulder, his arms completely encircling me. From anyone else’s

perspective, it would look like he was holding me–protecting me–wrapping me up in his warmth.

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