The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 68

68 Chapter 68 Ask Your Brother About It

Blanche’s POV 1

Kaden Jacob was the baby of the family, spoiled rotten and used to getting his way. His arrogance showed in everything he did, and he walked around like he owned the place. The only person who could put him in his line was Zain.

So when Tia’s foot connected with his shin, Kaden didn’t even flinch. He acted like she didn’t exist.

Oswald watched his grandson’s behavior and tapped his walking stick against the floor. “Kaden, go help bring the food out.”

“Grandpa, I’m nobody’s servant,” Kaden shot back. “Make Blanche do it instead.”

“Blanche isn’t your servant either,” Oswald snapped.

Kaden straightened up when he saw his grandfather’s temper flare. I could tell he wasn’t truly scared of Grandpa, but he obviously knew he’d pushed his luck. Still, he couldn’t resist mumbling, “She’s done it plenty of times before.”

Oswald’s hearing wasn’t what it used to be, so he missed Kaden’s bitter comment. He just fixed him with a stern look.

Zain caught every word of Kaden’s disrespectful remark about me, but his expression stayed blank. I guess Kaden had a point–I had played servant before.

The hour was getting late, so Donovan suggested everyone take their seats. Oswald agreed silently, knowing that waiting much longer

would push dinner even later, even though I hadn’t emerged from the kitchen yet.

Everyone settled at the table, but I was still nowhere to be seen.

Oswald’s worry showed on his weathered face as he turned to Zain. “Go get Blanche from the kitchen. Tell her to stop working herself to

death and come eat with the family.”

Zain’s response came out flat and emotionless. “She’ll join us when the pie’s finished. No need to wait around.”

Oswald’s face went dark. “If you won’t get her, I will.” He started pushing himself up from his chair.

Seeing his grandfather struggle, Zain jumped to his feet. “Let me handle it, Grandpa.”

Oswald settled back down with a nod.

When Zain walked into the kitchen, I was putting the finishing touches on the pie. I heard his footsteps and glanced over my shoulder.

“Almost ready.”

His face could have been carved from stone, and his voice carried an edge. “Quit fussing with it. Grandpa wants you at the table.”

I could feel Zain’s disappointment radiating off him in waves. He’d given me advance warning about Oswald’s birthday, made it clear that

Oswald expected me to cook something special. Yet here I was with nothing but a simple pie to show for it.

His dissatisfaction was obvious, but I kept my attention on my work. “I know. Go sit down. I’ll be right out.”

Zain planted himself behind me, his patience wearing thin. Rather than start a fight in his grandfather’s house, he took a measured

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68 Chapter 68 Ask Your Brother About It

breath. “I’ll wait.”

The pie was nearly done. Sure, it wasn’t much to write home about, but I was the only one who’d bothered to step foot in this kitchen.

Everyone else was content to sit around and wait.

I ignored Zain hovering behind me and pulled the golden pie from the oven. Using jam, I carefully wrote “Happy Birthday” across the top.

When I reached for the finished pie, Zain spoke up.

“I’ll

carry it.”

No point arguing. “Okay.”

We walked from the kitchen to the dining room together, Zain setting the pie down in front of Oswald with careful precision.

I scanned the table and realized every chair was occupied. With a small smile, I turned toward the corner where I could grab a stool and

squeeze in at the end.

But Oswald’s voice stopped me cold. “Kaden, move over. Blanche sits next to Zain.”

Kaden’s face twisted into a scowl. “Why do I get stuck in the corner?”

“Because this is my house,” Oswald replied firmly. “Blanche doesn’t sit in corners. The Jacob family doesn’t treat our daughters–in–law

like second–class citizens. You and Zain better remember that.”

Though Oswald directed his scolding at Kaden, his real target was Zain.

Kaden dragged himself to his feet and slouched toward the corner seat.

I wanted to tell Oswald not to make a fuss over something so trivial, but he was already moving on.

Tia quietly shifted away from the seat beside Zain, making room without a word.

Oswald’s face softened as he looked at me. “Blanche, come sit by Zain.”

I glanced at Zain, who sat like a statue, saying nothing. Once upon a time, his silence would have crushed me. Now it just felt normal.

After I settled beside Zain, Oswald gave everyone permission to eat. He turned to his grandson. “Zain, get Blanche some of her favorites.”

Without a word, Zain picked up a rib and dropped it in my bowl, followed by a shrimp.

I stared at the food he’d selected. “Thanks.” My voice came out so quiet that only Zain could hear, but he didn’t acknowledge me in any

way.

Dinner continued in uncomfortable silence, Amber shooting me dirty looks that I pretended not to notice. I focused on my plate and

tried to eat.

Kaden took one bite of his food and immediately spat it out. “This tastes terrible. Blanche didn’t cook this.”

Finally, I spoke up. “I only made the pie for Oswald. Someone else handled the rest.”

Kaden’s face darkened like a storm cloud. “Then what the hell were you doing in the kitchen all day?”

In years past, I would have prepared a feast, and Kaden would have cleaned his plate with a grin. Tonight was different–he’d been

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counting on my cooking.

I set down my fork and met his glare head–on. “I didn’t get here until late this evening.”

“Late this evening?” Kaden’s voice pitched higher. “It’s Grandpa’s birthday. Shouldn’t you have been here last night? Is this how a

granddaughter–in–law acts?”

I kept my eyes locked on his. “I have a job. I couldn’t come earlier.”

Kaden slammed his fork down hard enough to make the water glasses jump. “A job? What kind of job do you need? Zain gives you

everything. Why embarrass yourself and make it look like this family treats you like garbage?”

I could feel Oswald’s anger steadily growing as Kaden continued to overstep, each word pushing him closer to his breaking point.

The old me would have shrunk back and apologized. This version held her ground. “If I’m being treated like garbage, maybe you should

ask your brother about it.”

Kaden’s mouth fell open as he whipped around to face Zain. “Did you hear what she just said to me?”

Zain fixed his brother with an icy stare. “Eat your dinner.”

Oswald had been sitting quietly through Kaden’s tantrum, letting him dig his own grave deeper with every word. But when Kaden

crossed the line completely, Oswald’s patience snapped.

His hand came down on the table like a thunderclap. “If you can’t show her respect, then get out of my house.”

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