The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 77

77 Chapter 77 Ground Into Dust

Blanche’s POV

When Quinton pulled up to the Callum Mansion, he caught sight of me standing by the door.

“What the hell happened to your hair?” His voice cut through the evening air, sharp and unforgiving.

Guilt twisted in my stomach as I dropped my gaze. “The wind messed it up.”

He saw right through my pathetic lie. “Blanche, I don’t give a damn if you’re dating someone, but you need boundaries. Pull another stunt

like last time, and I won’t be so understanding.”

His eyes narrowed. “And don’t get knocked up because you can’t keep your head on straight. You’re a woman–you’re the one who gets

hurt when things go south. Stop throwing yourself at every guy who shows interest.”

Without another word, Quinton stalked into the mansion.

I lingered at the entrance, my heart hammering against my ribs, before finally forcing myself to follow him inside.

“It’s not what you think, Quinton,” I stammered, heat flooding my cheeks.

After a beat, I added quietly, “But whatever you say goes.”

Quinton glanced back at me, something shifting in his expression when he noticed the moisture gathering in my eyes. His tone gentled.

“Alright.”

Relief washed over me, and I managed a smile. “Thanks, Quinton.”

He seemed eager to move past the tension. “Camila’s been asking about you. You’re always running around, and she barely sees you

anymore. Come home earlier next time you get a chance.”

“I will,” I promised softly.

The next morning, I woke to an empty house–Camila had already left for school. But my phone buzzed with a voice message from my

niece.

*Aunt Blanche, when winter break starts, let’s go skiing somewhere amazing together.*

Camila’s sweet voice made my chest ache in the best way.

I sat on my bed’s edge, replaying the message until her words were burned into my memory. But the more I listened, the more my thoughts drifted to Carry.

All these years raising my daughter, and I’d never taken her on a real vacation. Not because I couldn’t–because I kept dreaming of the three of us going somewhere together. Me, Zain, and Carry, like a real family.

But Zain only had eyes for Joanna. He’d never want to travel with us. Now both he and Carry were wrapped up in Joanna’s world.

After promising Camila we’d make it happen, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for another day at the hospital.

21:07

173

77 Chapter 77 Ground Inte Dust

That afternoon, while I was buried in patient files, one of the interns walked in carrying a stack of packages.

She saved the last one for my desk. “Blanche, this one’s yours. Figured I’d drop it off since I was heading this way”

Hooked up, confused. “Mine? You sure about that?”

She nodded. “Double–checked the phone number. It’s definitely yours.”

I stared at the box like it might explode.

When I saw Vincent’s name on the sender label, my blood ran cold.

The package felt like it was burning my hands.

Part of me wanted to toss it straight into the trash, but whatever was inside probably cost more than my monthly salary–definitely pricier than that bracelet he’d sent before. Keeping it felt wrong, but losing something that expensive would be financial suicide.

I was screwed either way.

In the end, I held onto it. Better safe than bankrupt.

As I finished up my notes, voices drifted over from the break area. “Did you hear about that genius doctor who got canned? He’s been

blacklisted from medicine completely.”

“They’re talking about stripping his degrees too. Master’s, PhD, the works. His record’s permanently stained–hell, even his kids won’t be

allowed to practice medicine.”

“Damn, that’s harsh. What did he do?”

“Bribes, illegal fundraising, shady dealings. Someone dropped a dime on him.”

“Good. Bastard had it coming.”

My stomach dropped. I pulled out my phone and opened Twitter.

Sure enough, Demetrius’s blacklisting was trending at number one.

Buried in the avalanche of hate, one comment stood out–someone actually defending him.

*I’ve met Dr. Jake. He operated on my mom’s brain tumor two years ago. She’s still doing great. Dr. Jake was incredible to work with and

never asked for money. I tried to tip him, but he told me to save it for mom’s recovery meds.*

I was about to reply when the comment vanished before my eyes.

I searched for the username, but the account had been wiped clean. Banned for speaking up for Demetrius.

My first thought? Drew.

With Joanna keeping Zain occupied, he wouldn’t waste time meddling in my business. Besides Zain, Drew was the only one with enough

pull to orchestrate something this vicious.

Plus, he and Demetrius had history.

2167

2/4

<

77 Chapter 77 Ground Into Dust

Worry gnawed at me. I shot Demetrius a message: *Are you okay?*

No response.

By closing time, my phone was still silent.

I couldn’t wait anymore. I grabbed my keys and drove to Demetrius’s apartment complex.

The scene at the entrance made my blood freeze. A mob of people crowded around, phones raised, cameras flashing at one specific unit.

I followed their gaze to an apartment with shattered windows, glass hanging in jagged spider webs.

The stench hit me next–thick, nauseating.

Someone had hurled filth all over Demetrius’s place.

Worse yet, white sheets plastered across his door bore red–scrawled messages: *Filthy orphan freak.* *Angel of Death.* *Hope your

bloodline dies with you.* *Why haven’t you gotten cancer yet?* *Take your father’s grave dirt and patch up the desert.*

The venom in those words sent ice through my veins.

If they were this bold in public, what were they planning in private?

I didn’t dare go inside to find Demetrius. Instead, I texted him with shaking fingers: *If you’re home, don’t leave. If you’re not, stay away

for a few days.*

Still nothing.

I’d wasted enough time. I drove straight to Drew’s usual restaurant.

His car sat out front like a neon sign.

I stormed through the entrance and found Drew sharing dinner with some stunning woman in a dress that left little to the imagination.

I didn’t care who was watching. I marched up to their table and got right in his face. “You’re behind what’s happening to Demetrius,

aren’t you?”

Drew calmly set down his silverware, dabbed his mouth with his napkin, then draped his arm over his chair back. He met my glare with a

smirk. “Yeah. That was me.”

No denials. No excuses. Just cold admission.

My hands balled into fists. “You’re disgusting”

He shrugged. “He got outplayed. Now he pays the price.”

Kage boiled over, “All you do is abuse your power to destroy people. That doesn’t make you superior, Drew. If I were you, I’d be sick

looking in the mirror. You have a problem with me? Come after me instead.”

His smile turned arctic. “He defended you. Anyone who crosses me gets ground into dust–no bones, no blood, nothing left.”

Faced with his raw power, helplessness washed over me. “Drew, you better pray you never need anyone’s help.”

21412

nia

<

77 Chapter 77 Ground Into Dust

He crossed his legs, that cold smile never wavering. “Hate to disappoint you, but I’ll never be the one begging. And if that day ever

comes, Zain and Joanna are the only people I’d ask.”

I let out a bitter laugh and walked away without another word.

Comment

Leave the first comment for this chapter.

Send Gifts