The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 59

59 Chapter 59 The Woman I Forgot

Blanche’s POV 1

Zain caught the lid and pulled me into his arms. We hadn’t held each other like this in ages.

That’s when I felt how his chin settled against my neck, his breath warm on my skin. His scent wrapped around me–clean, masculine,

intoxicating in a way that made my pulse quicken.

The moment I realized where I was, my body went rigid. My mind blanked completely. Heat radiated from his chest against my back,

threatening to undo me completely.

We stayed frozen like that, neither speaking. The only sound was steam hissing from the pot lid.

Part of me wanted this moment to stretch forever. But I knew better. Zain and I–we’d never been anything close to happy.

Finally, I found my voice. “Zain.”

He jolted back to reality, set the lid on the stove, and stepped away. His hands left my waist like I’d burned him.

“Use something to hold it next time. It’s dangerous.” His tone was flat, distant–the same cold indifference as always.

But even that simple warning was more than he usually gave me. The unexpected concern left me wondering if I’d imagined it. The

lingering heat on my back proved otherwise. After a long pause, I managed, “Okay.”

His footsteps retreated. My tense muscles finally loosened, but everywhere he’d touched still burned like a brand.

I reached for the lid to cover the pot again. My finger grazed the scorching edge, and pain shot through me. A sharp cry escaped before I

could stop it.

Zain’s footsteps halted. He shouldn’t have cared, but somehow he was walking back. “What happened?” His voice came from behind me.

I thrust my finger under the cold tap, trying to numb the sting. His sudden return startled me. “It’s nothing,” I said quietly.

He was tall enough to see my burned finger without effort. Without another word, he turned and left the kitchen.

But he stopped just outside. “Mrs. Jacob hurt herself, Go take care of it,” he told Heidi, his tone commanding and emotionless.

I heard their exchange and frowned. Zain’s motives were always a mystery to me. No point trying to decode them now.

Heidi appeared shortly after to tend my burn. By the time she finished, breakfast was ready.

I switched off the burner, listening to Zain and Joanna’s conversation drifting from the next room. Though I couldn’t make out their

words, their easy laughter spoke volumes–the kind of natural comfort I’d never shared with him.

The difference between love and indifference was painfully obvious.

Years of marriage, and I’d never dared to be myself around Zain. Always walking on eggshells, second–guessing every move, terrified of

setting him off.

Living in constant fear. And for what? He still didn’t love me.

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59 Chapter 59 The Woman I Forgot

Zain returned to the kitchen. Seeing me lost in thought, he touched my arm lightly. “Something urgent came up at work. Can you take

Carry to school when she wakes up?”

I didn’t turn around. Just nodded. “Sure.”

He studied my profile for a moment. My expression must’ve been unreadable because for once, he seemed uncertain. But true to form,

he didn’t push. He left with Joanna.

The next afternoon, I had some free time. I was heading to the library with Demetrius’s books when my phone buzzed.

Vincent’s name flashed on the screen.

Remembering his recent help, I answered. Standing on the corner, books pressed against my chest, I asked softly, “What’s up?”

His voice came through unusually subdued.

Then, with his typical playful tone: “Honey, have you been missing me?”

I frowned. “Vincent, if you need something, just say it.” He wasn’t a bad guy, but his constant teasing left me tongue–tied.

“Aw, if you haven’t missed me, you’re gonna break my heart,” he sighed with exaggerated drama.

I stayed silent, not taking the bait.

When I didn’t respond, he dropped the act. “Alright, alright, I’ll quit messing with you. Come to a party with me tonight?”

Remembering my promise, I agreed. “Okay.”

“Perfect. I’ll send over a dress. Picking you up at six. Someone will call about hair and makeup.”

He had everything handled. “Okay,” I said into the phone.

Back to his usual flirty self: “Great, I’m hanging up now–but you better miss me, alright?”

After the call ended, I caught a cab back to the Callum Mansion.

The styling team contacted me soon after. The whole process took several hours. My backside was completely numb by the end.

“Ms. Callum, you’re finished,” the makeup artist announced.

I opened my eyes and stared at my reflection.

Bright eyes, radiant smile, smoky makeup that made me look mysterious and alluring.

I barely recognized myself. It had been so long since I’d gotten dressed up. Back in college, I’d been one of the campus beauties. But after

Zain, everything changed.

The memories made my eyes well up.

“Ms. Callum, aren’t you happy with it?” the makeup artist asked nervously.

I laughed softly. “No, I look so good it makes me emotional.”

She exhaled in relief, wiping sweat from her brow. Vincent had apparently made it clear there’d be consequences if I wasn’t satisfied.

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59 Chapter 59 The Woman I Forgot

Once my hair and makeup were done, she helped me into the dress.

The gown Vincent sent was striking red–bold, attention–grabbing, and undeniably seductive. I’d never worn such a daring color,

convinced I couldn’t pull it off.

But the moment I slipped it on, the makeup artist gasped. “Ms. Callum, this dress was made for you. Absolutely perfect.”

My figure had always been my asset–curves where they counted, slim everywhere else. Standing before the mirror, I was stunned by the

transformation.

I hadn’t attended an event like this since Carry was born. But deep down, I was still a woman who craved the spotlight.

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