The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 85

85 Chapter 85 A Chorus Of Pleas

Zain’s POV 1

I gently wiped the blood and grime from Joanna’s hand with my sleeve, then blew softly on the scrape.

Her brow creased with pain, tears pooling in her eyes. She looked so vulnerable and broken that my chest tightened.

“Does it still hurt?” I asked quietly, worry threading through my voice.

Joanna pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Zain, I’m okay. It’s not that bad.”

“Let me get you inside,” I said, supporting her weight. “I need to clean this properly with antiseptic.”

A single tear escaped down her cheek. “Zain, I’m worthless. I can’t do anything for Drew.”

I brushed the tear away with my thumb. “This isn’t on you. You did everything possible.”

“But I’m a doctor too,” Joanna whispered, her voice breaking with guilt. “I studied at the same school as Demetrius, but I don’t have the

skills for this operation. If I did, I wouldn’t need to plead with anyone. Zain, I feel so useless.”

I ran my hand over her hair, keeping my voice gentle. “You’re incredible. Stop beating yourself up. Drew wouldn’t want this for you.”

Her eyes rimmed red, Joanna dropped her gaze shamefully. “Okay.”

Blanche’s POV

As Zain began guiding Joanna toward the main entrance, I spotted him noticing me nearby. I hadn’t moved, just remained there quietly,

observing them.

Before entering, Zain shot me a look, his eyes blazing with barely contained fury.

He’s livid, I realized.

But I didn’t back down, holding his stare directly.

We locked eyes without speaking, yet in that wordless moment, I read him completely.

He was telling me I’d crossed a line.

Had I really crossed a line?

Was this my doing? Joanna had stepped into my way, causing her own tumble. Why was he attacking me rather than her?

A cold smile curved my lips as I finally broke eye contact.

Just as I prepared to go, I heard Zain ask Joanna, “Can you manage walking?”

Before the stunned Joanna could respond, Zain crouched and lifted her into his arms.

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While adjusting his hold, his hand pressed against her injured one. Joanna winced in his embrace, whispering, “Zain, that hurts.”

“Sorry, I’ll be gentler.”

As he spoke, he dipped his head. From my angle, it appeared he pressed his lips to Joanna’s forehead.

I released a harsh, bitter laugh, spun around, and left.

As Zain brought Joanna inside, Carry rushed over. “Daddy, what’s wrong with Miss Joanna?”

Whatever Zain replied was lost to me as I walked away.

Outside Blissfield Villa, a white Edward arrived, and a young woman in a flowing white dress emerged.

I glanced up and saw Tia.

Kaden remained in the passenger seat, but after several seconds, he grudgingly climbed out.

Tia and Kaden barely visited Blissfield Villa since Zain and I married. When they did show up, it was usually just for Carry, maybe twice or

three times yearly.

Before, I would have welcomed them with genuine warmth, eager to prepare all their favorite meals–stews, roasts, whatever they

craved. I never minded the work.

But tonight, seeing them here, my expression held no trace of warmth, much less the eager hospitality I once offered.

Knowing they weren’t here for me, I tried to pass them, but Tia grabbed my arm. “Blanche, we need to talk.”

I stopped, my eyes burning as I met Tia’s gaze. “So you’re here to plead with me too?”

Not everyone in the Jacob family was awful.

Oswald and Tia, at least, had some decency.

Oswald had always been good to me, and while Tia wasn’t particularly close to me, she’d never been openly cruel.

Tia’s expression softened seeing the raw pain in my eyes. After hesitating, she said helplessly, “Blanche, Drew’s mother is still so young. I

visited Demetrius, and he said he won’t perform the surgery unless you approve, so…”

I’d heard enough. I yanked my arm free. “Telling me won’t help. Go speak with Drew.”

Without another word, I turned to go. Kaden didn’t stop me, but he angrily confronted Tia.

“I warned you this was pointless. She’s a parasite. Why are you begging her?”

I caught Kaden’s harsh words but didn’t care. I got in my car and drove off.

Watching Blanche’s car vanish, Tia glared at Kaden. “I told you to keep quiet. She’s our sister–in–law. Can’t you show some respect?”

Kaden sneered. “Some sister–in–law. The only one I acknowledge is Joanna.”

Tia smacked his arm. “She’s Carry’s mother, which makes her our sister–in–law, Joanna is just some woman our brother’s involved with.

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85 Chapter 85 A Chorus Of Pleas

Don’t say that again. If I hear it once more, you’ll deal with me.”

Kaden rolled his eyes. “You defend her, but does she even care?”

Tia sighed. “But what Drew did was wrong. Demetrius has integrity. He’d never make those kinds of amateur errors.

“You’re not Demetrius,” Kaden shot back. “How could you possibly know?”

Tia fell silent and abandoned the topic.

The next day, I brought lunch to the hospital to see Demetrius after my shift.

But when I opened his room door, I was shocked to find Oswald Jacob there too.

“Oswald?” I said, my voice guarded.

I had a strong suspicion why he was here, but I managed to control my temper.

Hearing my voice, Oswald quickly rose from the chair beside the bed, gripping his cane. A broad smile crossed his face. “Blanche, you’re

here. I was hoping for a moment with you. Could you spare me a brief conversation?”

My expression was icy, but I still answered, “Fine.”

He was an elder, and the one Jacob family member who’d always shown me kindness.

Even knowing his purpose, I did my best to suppress my anger.

I set the lunch I’d brought on the nightstand. I looked at Demetrius, who appeared much improved, and said, “Demetrius, I brought you

food. I’m not sure you’ll like it, but eat a little for now. I’ll take you somewhere nice after work.”

I made no attempt to conceal my care for Demetrius in Oswald’s presence.

I was direct and honest, refusing to let anyone twist my motives.

Demetrius smiled at me. “You don’t need to trouble yourself. I can manage going out alone.”

“If it were safe out there, you probably wouldn’t have been hurt to begin with,” I said coldly.

It was a deliberate comment, aimed as much at Oswald as it was genuine concern for Demetrius.

After handling things with Demetrius, I left the room with Oswald.

At the corridor’s end, Oswald stopped for a long moment before finally speaking. “Blanche, I know you’re upset. But Drew’s mother is a

decent woman who’s suffered greatly. Please, consider it charity. Help her.”

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86 Chapter 86 Justice Is Not Sufficient

86 Chapter 86 Justice Is Not Sufficient