The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 None Of You Knew

Blanche’s POV

I hadn’t been back to my parents‘ place in months. The air felt heavy with tension that nobody wanted to address. The dining table

practically groaned under the weight of dishes–nearty all my favorites.

When I first decided to marry Zain, my entire family opposed it. But I dug in my heels, threatening to cut ties with all of them if they

wouldn’t support me. Eventually, they caved, though reluctantly. Yet after our wedding, Zain never once accompanied me to visit them.

My father Roger Callum sat rigid as stone, while my mother Irene Anton wiped her bloodshot eyes. Quinton’s irritation was obvious.

Amber tried defusing things but couldn’t find her footing. Camila quietly observed everyone’s reactions.

I started to stand, ready to apologize to my family, when Quinton sliced through the moment with sharp sarcasm. “Shouldn’t you be

getting ready for Donovan Jacob’s birthday tomorrow? What dragged you back here instead of serving his family?”

Each word dripped with venom, but I simply smiled faintly before answering steadily, “Quinton, from now on, I’ll only celebrate Dad’s

birthday.”

Quinton looked stunned. Though worry flickered behind his eyes, his tone stayed icy. “What kind of act is this?”

“I’m divorcing Zain,” I declared.

Complete silence swallowed the room. Everyone stared at me, shock freezing their faces in place.

Amber carefully broke the quiet, worry deepening in her expression. “What about Carry?” she whispered.

I managed a tired smile. “Carry doesn’t want to live with me,” I said quietly. “I’m giving up custody.”

The words tasted like ash. Any mother would battle to keep her child, but every memory of Carry only brought agony. Maybe backing

away was best for both of us.

As a mother herself, Amber truly understood my pain. Besides, everyone knew how deeply I loved Carry. To surrender custody like this

meant I must be shattered beyond repair.

Irene’s voice cracked as tears spilled over.

Amber handed her a tissue before turning to me. “You’re making the right choice leaving him,” she said, emotion thick in her voice.

“When you’re ready, you’ll find someone who actually values you.”

I offered a weak smile, “We’ll see. Right now, I’m not interested in meeting anyone.” I understood how these situations typically played

out. No sense repeating the same errors.

Amber didn’t push. Instead, she grabbed a serving spoon and loaded my plate generously.

“This will always be your home,” she said firmly. “You’re still family, and we’ll always welcome you here.”

Camila piped up cheerfully, “Aunt Blanche, when I grow up, I’ll take care of you too.”

Roger stayed quiet, methodically peeling shrimp. After finishing several, he pushed the plate toward me. Seeing this gesture, my eyes

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8 Chapter 8 None Of You Knew

immediately filled with tears.

For years with the Jacobs, nobody valued my efforts. Yet here with my own family, they treasured me without conditions. I bent my head

over my plate, tears dropping silently onto the food.

Midway through dinner, Camila suddenly pointed behind us. “Aunt Blanche, your phone’s flashing.”

I glanced over and saw Zain calling.

I never blocked anyone’s number. The missed calls happened only because my phone was silenced. The moment I answered, color

drained from my face. My body went rigid when I responded, “I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, I jumped to my feet. “Carry had an allergic reaction to mangoes. She’s in the hospital. I have to go.”

Hearing this, Quinton shot Amber a pointed look, which she immediately caught. Without hesitation, Amber volunteered to come with

1. me. Camila also leaped up to follow.

Later that evening, Carry stirred awake. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw me.

“Are you feeling better, Carry?” I asked, my anxious expression finally easing when I saw my daughter was conscious. I’d been sitting

beside the hospital bed for a while, never leaving her side.

Zain had gone to handle the medical bills, leaving just me with the others in the room. When Carry realized it was me, she turned away

silently, clearly annoyed.

I thought maybe Carry preferred seeing Joanna instead. The notion stung, but I simply adjusted Carry’s blankets. “Get some rest,” I said

softly. “I’ll leave now.” No point staying if Carry didn’t want me there.

As I turned to take Camila’s hand, Carry suddenly whipped around and yelled at my back, “You’re a terrible mom!”

Camila had heard enough. Releasing my hand, she stomped to the bedside. “Don’t talk to Aunt Blanche like that!” she snapped, glaring at

Carry.

Carry shot back immediately, her face burning with rage, “Shut up, fatso. Mind your own business.”

“You’re just a spoiled, selfish brat!” Camila shouted, her small hands trembling. “Aunt Blanche loves you but you’re so cruel!”

Carry couldn’t handle it anymore. Tears streamed down as she screamed, “Fatso! Stupid fatso! Nobody will ever like you!”

Camila, who was slightly pudgy from enjoying her meals, despised being called fat above all else.

I knew this perfectly well. Besides, Carry had thrown the first insult.

“Carry, apologize to Camila right now!” I scolded firmly, pulling Camila protectively behind me.

Seeing me take Camila’s side, Carry felt more betrayed and dissolved into tears. Just as Amber stepped forward to comfort her, Zain

entered.

Spotting her father, Carry reached out her arms, crying harder. “Daddy, Mommy shouted at me,” she sobbed. 1

I could tell Carry’s tears seemed to deeply affect Zain. He shot me a furious look. I held his stare steadily. “I don’t see anything wrong

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8 Chapter 8 None Of You Knew

with what I did,” I said evenly. “If you have a problem with it, that’s on you. I don’t care.

I’d never been this distant with him before.

Zain seemed to barely register my attitude shift before snapping, “This is what you call mothering?”

I didn’t bother explaining. I simply accepted his criticism, refusing to defend myself.

Zain continued. “See? This proves Joanna would make a better mother.”

I met his eyes and calmly agreed he was correct.

I could tell my composure seemed to unsettle Zain. But before he could continue, I struck back sharply, “You all insist you know what’s

best for Carry. Then how come none of you knew about her mango allergy?”

I saw Zain’s body go rigid for a split second before his face smoothed back into its usual controlled mask. “You never told me that before,”

he said.

“Fine. Listen carefully,” I said curtly. “Carry’s a girl, so you’ll need to help her bathe properly every day, and she has regular checkups. No

cold water, no mangoes.” I listed each point like a doctor giving discharge instructions.

Before Zain could respond, I grabbed Camila’s hand and walked out. The divorce was final, but at least now Carry wouldn’t suffer from

neglect.

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