The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 73

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73 Chapter 73 Some Things Once Shattered

Blanche’s POV

Ophelia stared at me, finally grasping that I meant every word. I caught the flash of panic that crossed her face.

But she recovered quickly. She knew how desperately I’d once wanted to marry Zain, so she figured divorce was off the table.

Ophelia tilted her chin up defiantly. “Don’t think I won’t do it.”

I leaned forward, genuinely excited. “Please do. I’ll buy you dinner to celebrate.” I slipped into my car, and before she could fire back, I

drove away.

I’d spent years being the perfect, compliant daughter–in–law, but those days were over. Ophelia couldn’t pinpoint when the shift

happened, but it was clear–I was done being her puppet.

And from what I’d just said, it was obvious I was seriously considering divorce.

I glanced in my rearview mirror as I drove away and saw Ophelia still standing there, her confident posture wavering. I could practically

read her thoughts–she’d always looked down on me, probably believing that even if divorce happened, it would have to be Zain who

pulled the trigger. But my words had clearly shaken that assumption.

I watched her pull out her phone, no doubt calling Zain to report on our conversation.

He picked up after a few rings, the sound of typing filling the background when Ophelia put him on speaker.

“What’s up?” His voice sounded rough, like he’d barely slept.

Ophelia cut straight to the chase. “Zain, has Blanche been acting weird lately?”

Zain paused mid–keystroke, his fingers freezing over the keyboard. “What do you mean?”

The shift in his tone made Ophelia press harder. “She hasn’t brought up divorce, has she?”

“No,” Zain replied flatly.

Relief flooded through Ophelia. “Of course not. She fought too hard to marry you. No way she’d throw that away.”

“Right,” Zain agreed.

But Ophelia wasn’t satisfied. She kept pushing. “If you’re done with her, you need to file first. Don’t let her beat you to it.”

Zain stopped typing entirely, his voice turning serious. “Mom, I’ve never considered divorcing Blanche. We have Carry now. Divorce

would mess her up.”

Ophelia held firm. “I don’t care. You’re a Jacob. If divorce happens, make sure you’re the one who starts it.”

Zain had heard enough. “Mom, I’ve got someone coming in. I have to go.”

That afternoon, I was updating patient files when my phone buzzed. Amara’s name lit up the screen.

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73 Chapter 73 Some Things Once Shattered

“Blanche, dinner tonight?” she asked.

I didn’t bother asking for details. “Sure.”

We were close friends–dinner together was nothing unusual.

But when I walked into the private dining room, I realized Amara wasn’t alone. Marquis sat beside her.

Several dishes were already spread across the table, though one had a suspicious bite taken out of the corner. Marquis’s handiwork,

obviously.

I sat down without acknowledging Marquis and gave Amara the silent treatment too.

Amara kept piling food on my plate. I didn’t say anything, but I wasn’t being cold toward her either.

Marquis hunched over his phone next to Amara, clearly not interested in being here.

Once all the dishes arrived, Amara poured red wine for us.

She raised her glass and looked directly at me. “Blanche, I’m sorry I wasn’t upfront when I called this afternoon. I brought you here

because I owe you an apology.

“I feel terrible about what went down between you and Marquis at the police station. I don’t want it to ruin your friendship. You’re my

best friend, and Marquis is the guy I love most.”

I stayed quiet, watching Marquis hold his glass while staring off into space, clearly not listening to Amara.

Amara noticed my silence and downed her entire glass in one gulp. She flashed me a hopeful smile. “Bottoms up–can you forgive me?”

I looked at her, feeling a mix of pity and frustration. “Fine.”

Amara beamed and elbowed Marquis, signaling him to toast me too.

Marquis reluctantly raised his glass, clearly annoyed. “Cheers.”

I lifted mine but didn’t bother clinking it against his. I took a tiny sip.

Marquis barely wet his lips with the wine.

Amara played referee the entire meal, and I only stayed out of loyalty to her. As for Marquis, I wouldn’t waste a smile on him.

The tension was suffocating. Amara kept trying to force conversation, but whenever Marquis asked something, I gave him one–word

answers.

The mutual hatred was obvious, but Amara refused to quit trying.

Some things, once shattered, couldn’t be fixed. I felt the same way about Marquis–and about my marriage to Zain.

After we suffered through the meal, Marquis got up to handle the bill.

Amara grabbed my arm. “You’re not happy, are you?”

“As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters,” I replied.

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73 Chapter 73 Some Things Once Shattered

1 finally got why my family had fought so hard to keep me from marrying Zain.

Amara’s eyes dropped. “I know you’re miserable, but-”

I didn’t want to hear it. I stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Amara’s feelings were her problem to sort out. Now I could see she was making the same mistakes I used to make.

When I came out of the restroom, I spotted Marquis. He’d paid the bill but wasn’t heading back to our table.

As I got closer, I saw a girl with long hair sitting at a nearby table. Marquis rested his hand on her chair back and leaned in, casually

draping his arm around her.

They whispered to cach other–I couldn’t catch the words. Then Marquis pulled out his phone, and they exchanged numbers.

After adding her contact, Marquis straightened up and waved his phone at her. “Don’t forget to text me, okay?”

The girl smiled and nodded eagerly, her shy charm practically radiating off her.

I saw everything. I’d always known leopards don’t change their spots.

Just as Marquis turned to head back to the private room, he spotted me. Across the crowded dining hall, our eyes locked–mine full of

disgust, his completely indifferent.

After a long stare–down, Marquis finally walked over. He stopped in front of me, leaned down, and smirked. “What’s this? Can’t stay away

from me?

“Or maybe you want to sneak around behind your bestie’s back for some excitement? If that’s what you’re after, I’m totally game.”

I stepped back, disgusted. “You’re disgusting.”

Marquís didn’t get angry–if anything, he seemed more amused. He grinned wider. “You still haven’t answered me–want to have some

fun?”

I raised my hand to slap him, but Marquis caught my wrist and yanked me forward, wrapping his arms around me.

“What’s wrong? Already eager to jump into my arms?” he taunted.

Just then, a private room door swung open, and Zain walked out with Drew.

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