The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 96

96 Chapter 96 I Want Miss Joanna

Blanche’s POV 1

The fever made my head spin as Zain reached toward me. By the time I realized what was happening, his hand had already slipped

beneath my shirt.

When I tried to protect myself, I grabbed both my clothes and his hand at the same time.

My reaction was too strong, too forceful, and I accidentally pushed his hand deeper–right onto my breast.

His hand burned against my cold skin like fire.

I was completely out of it. Before I could even think to let go, Zain spoke first. “Blanche, don’t you have any shame?”

I lifted my face to look at him, my cheeks flushed, my vision hazy and unfocused. I still felt like I was floating somewhere between sleep

and consciousness.

Zain lowered his head, staring into my eyes, seemingly captivated by whatever he saw there.

Something shifted in his expression. Heat flashed across his features, and he looked like he was remembering something–something

intimate. His breathing changed, becoming slightly irregular, and his pupils dilated as he gazed down at me.

But whatever memory held him, Zain didn’t pull his hand away.

Heat flooded my cheeks. Hearing his accusation and seeing that he still hadn’t moved his hand, I glared at him. “Are you going to let go or

not? Who’s the shameless one here?”

Ishoved his hand away and wrapped the blanket tight around myself.

Zain snapped back to reality, jerked his hand back like he’d been burned, and blurted out, “I’ll go wake Carry?”

He practically ran from the room without looking at me once.

As he left, his ears were bright red.

After Zain disappeared, I sat there stunned for a long moment, the spot where he’d touched me still burning.

I had no clue why he’d reached for me in the first place, but I knew for certain it wasn’t because he wanted me. He’d probably just been

checking if I still had a fever. The way he’d frozen when his hand landed where it did, the shock in his eyes–it was clearly an accident

that had caught him as off–guard as it had me.

Whatever he was thinking, one thing was crystal clear–he didn’t love me.

Remembering I had to get to work, I dragged myself out of bed.

I barely managed to wash up and get dressed before heading downstairs.

Zain stood by the floor–to–ceiling window, phone pressed to his ear. Rain still fell outside, lighter than yesterday but steady.

I studied his back. I wanted to ask if Carry was ready, but seeing him on the call, I stayed quiet.

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96 Chapter 96 I Want Miss Joanna

He hadn’t noticed me yet. His voice was soft, gentle. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle the wellness center arrangements”

Just hearing that tone, I knew exactly who was on the other end–Joanna.

My head still pounded, but since Zain was busy, I figured I’d check on Carry upstairs.

I’d barely turned toward the stairs when Zain hung up and spotted me. “Blanche, wait.”

My name sounded cold and distant on his lips. No warmth whatsoever.

I gripped the banister and faced him. “What?”

Zain walked over, his shadow falling across me. He looked down. “Update me on Carry’s condition.”

When he’d rushed back last night, it was the middle of the night. He’d come to check on Carry, but she was fine. Instead, he found me

burning up with fever. He must have carried me back to the bedroom.

Hearing Zain ask about Carry made me want to demand where he’d been the night before.

But I knew it was pointless.

The fact that he’d rushed home in the middle of the night proved he still cared about Carry.

So I swallowed my questions and buried them deep.

“Carry has some swollen lymph nodes in her abdomen. Luckily they’re small and not many. Kids her age often get functional abdominal

pain. We’ve ruled out anything serious, so it’s not major, but we need to watch her diet.”

Zain frowned. “What sets it off?”

“Spicy food, junk food, cold drinks, overeating, and lack of sleep. All of those can trigger it.”

Zain looked down. “Got it.”

Seeing his expression reminded me of something important.

“Zain, I need to talk to you about this too.”

Zain glanced at me, his tone flat. “Go ahead.”

My expression turned serious. “It doesn’t matter who’s watching Carry. She’s only young. She shouldn’t be eating junk or staying up late.

She needs regular sleep and more outdoor activity,”

Thinking about Joanna’s concerts made irritation spike through me.

Joanna always performed at night, and Carry would stay up late just to be there for her.

How could a young child handle that?

When I finished, Zain shot back, “Then why don’t you quit your job and stay home with Carry?”

I stared at him. “Are you serious?”

Zain shrugged. “If you think I’m doing such a terrible job, maybe you should handle it yourself.”

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96 Chapter 96 I Want Miss Joanna

I snorted, giving him a bitter look. “So you’re really going to take her side, huh?”

I meant Joanna, obviously.

I knew all about Carry staying up late with Joanna and eating junk food.

Demetrius and I had caught them together more than once.

Maybe it wasn’t entirely Joanna’s fault, but she definitely played a part.

But Zain never blamed Joanna for anything. His expression remained carefully neutral, but I could see the defensive set of his shoulders,

the way his jaw tightened slightly. He was protecting her, just like he always did.

Wasn’t that taking her side?

Zain still didn’t mention Joanna. He just fired back, “If you really care about Carry, shouldn’t you be home taking care of her?”

Anger flared through me. I lifted my chin and glared at him. “Zain, I don’t care what you say. I’m not quitting”

My job was my lifeline, my last piece of dignity. Now Zain wanted to take that away too.

“Blanche, Carry isn’t just my daughter. She’s yours too. Don’t you think you should be looking after her?”

“I’ve been taking care of her for years. I can’t do it anymore. I’ve done enough.”

“Do you even deserve to be a mother?” Zain snapped.

“You said it yourself–I’m not as good as Joanna. So why don’t you just let Carry make Joanna her mom?”

“Blanche, you’re crossing the line.”

“Zain, you always get the last word. Are you going to leave me with nothing? We’ve been married for years, and this place has never felt like home. I…” My voice cracked.

Just as our argument hit its peak, Heidi appeared at the stairs. “Mr. Jacob, Mrs. Jacob, something’s wrong. Miss Carry says her stomach hurts again.”

The moment she said that, Zain and I practically raced upstairs.

When we reached the bedroom, we both rushed to the bedside, worry written across our faces.

Carry was curled up in pain on the bed, her tiny frame looking heartbreakingly fragile.

My heart clenched as I pulled Carry close. “Carry, don’t be scared. I’m right here with you.”

I gently stroked her hair.

The pain overwhelmed her. Carry couldn’t stop crying, her small body trembling.

I reached out. “Carry, let me rub your tummy, okay? It’ll help you feel better.”

But the moment I placed my hand on Carry’s stomach, she pushed me away. “I want Miss Joanna. Dad, I want Miss Joanna.”

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97 Chapter 97 I Finally See The Truth