13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Blanche's POV 1 When Zain Jacob stood to leave , Castro Dixon got up to walk him out . I stayed put , quietly pushing my food around the plate . After dinner , everyone scattered . Foster and I were both heading back to school , so we took the same route . The small town stretched out beneath a bright moon and scattered stars , our shadows moving together down the empty road . Autumn had arrived . Sweet osmanthus bloomed everywhere , filling the air with their heavy perfume . I'd never been one for small talk , and we walked in silence until Foster finally broke . " Where did you study , Ms. Callum ? " " Oakwood University ." " I know someone who went there too . " " Small world ." " The principal mentioned you're returning to Oakwood tomorrow ? " " Yes . My stint here is finished ." " Then ... would you let me take you to dinner sometime ? " I stopped walking , considered his words , then replied , " If you ever make it to Oakwood , I'll buy you dinner . It would be my pleasure . " Foster scratched his neck , that easy grin spreading across his face . " Since when do women pay ? " Before we knew it , we'd reached the school entrance . By the track , Castro lingered in the shadows with Zain . They had a clear view of Blanche and Foster as they walked back together . " Look at those two , Mr. Jacob , " Castro said with a knowing smile . " Don't Dr. Callum and Mr. Bobby make a handsome pair ? " Zain's eyes tracked their movement , his face unreadable . Zain's POV Blanche , I thought , never knew when to stop . I'd been crystal clear with my rejection , yet she kept pushing - asking when I'd come home . No surprise I'd stopped answering her calls . 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind After Carry's birth , Blanche had been a wreck - hair tangled , clothes reeking of sour milk , skin pale and lifeless . Whatever spark she'd once possessed had died completely . I hadn't laid a finger on her in years . But like it or not , she remained my wife . Yet she seemed to have forgotten that fact - getting cozy with another man . I remained silent . Castro mistook it for indifference , but couldn't resist adding , " She's quality . Any man who gets her will be blessed ." Blessed? Was I ? I didn't buy it . Didn't give a damn either . After all , my success had nothing to do with Blanche . Meanwhile , Blanche and Foster disappeared around the academic building's corner . " Mr. Jacob , " Castro said suddenly , " you and Mr. Grey have been drinking . You won't make it back to the city tonight . Maybe you'd consider staying at my place ? " The town lacked decent accommodations , and Castro figured a man like me wouldn't tolerate shabby conditions . I stared into the distance , deep in thought . Blanche's POV By the time I reached my room and shut the door , Castro was escorting Zain down the hallway . Castro's room sat directly across from mine . As Castro fumbled with his keys , Zain spoke up , " Don't worry about it , Mr. Dixon . I've got somewhere to crash ." Before Castro could respond , Zain was rapping on my door . I opened it to find him standing there , my eyebrows pulling together . " What do you want ? " My tone was flat , missing the warmth and deference I used to show him . He didn't wait for permission - just pushed past me into the room . Castro still stood frozen as Zain quietly closed the door behind him . The space was basic : bed , desk , small couch , bathroom . The bedspread was pale green with tiny flowers - neat , simple , nothing special . I planted myself by the door , eyes narrowing . " You barged in here uninvited - what's your game ? " My words had bite , though I wasn't truly angry . Zain settled onto the couch , his expensive suit completely out of place here . Meeting my gaze , he said , " Nowhere else to go . I'm staying here tonight ." 16.00 < 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Given the choice , he'd rather sleep where I'd been than some filthy motel - or a bed used by strangers . I caught the alcohol on his breath and put the pieces together . I didn't kick him out . " Fine . Then I'll find somewhere else to sleep . Once upon a time , I'd have rushed to embrace him , run him a bath , changed the sheets , laid out comfortable pajamas and slippers . I wasn't that naive anymore . I reached for the door handle , ready to leave when he called out , " Blanche , I need a shower ! " In his mind , I'd always given him whatever he demanded . He didn't mean to rely on me - circumstances just left him no choice . If he could avoid it , he wouldn't even look at me . I paused , glanced back . " School facilities are limited . If you want to wash up , you'll need to use the communal bathhouse ." He grimaced . " No other option ? " Without cleaning up , he'd never get any sleep . There was another way , but I wasn't about to mention it . " Nope , " I said curtly . And with that , I walked out . Letting him have the room was generous enough . Zain's POV Alone , I sat restlessly . The place was spotless , but I couldn't bring myself to lie down . I called Desmond . " Get me a driver in town . We're driving back to the city . Tonight . " I'd rather spend the night bouncing around in the Rolls than try to rest in here . Blanche's POV I made my way to the school parking lot and climbed into my car . I folded the back seats down , spread out a sheet , and stretched out . Autumn nights weren't cold - a light blanket would do . I'd barely settled in when I heard Desmond's voice outside , talking to Zain . " Mr. Jacob , Ms. Vins arrived with Miss Carry . They should be here any second . " Headlights swept across the lot . A small voice called out as the car stopped , " Daddy ... " Carry launched herself into Zain's arms , clinging to him like a koala . " What brings you here ? " he asked , looking at Joanna Vins as she stepped out of the vehicle . 16:00 3/4 > 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Before Joanna could answer , Carry patted his cheek . " Carry missed Daddy . Miss Joanna missed Daddy too . She kept saying you'd hate the accommodations here and had to come rescue you " Zain's mouth curved slightly . " Aren't you worried about being late for school tomorrow ? " " I'm more worried you won't get proper rest ." That made me think of myself . I'd never considered his comfort like that . " Let's not stand around , " Joanna suggested . " Get in . " Zain lifted Carry into the car , shut the door , then straightened to face Joanna . " I appreciate you coming ." Under the streetlight , her beautiful face was split perfectly - half bathed in golden light , half lost in shadow . Her eyes held a depth that was impossible to ignore . Two figures stood beside the car , enough to make the stars and moon pause their dance . From where I sat , it looked like they were about to kiss . Maybe they remembered Carry was watching - so they held back . Only after the car disappeare 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Blanche's POV 1 When Zain Jacob stood to leave , Castro Dixon got up to walk him out . I stayed put , quietly pushing my food around the plate . After dinner , everyone scattered . Foster and I were both heading back to school , so we took the same route . The small town stretched out beneath a bright moon and scattered stars , our shadows moving together down the empty road . Autumn had arrived . Sweet osmanthus bloomed everywhere , filling the air with their heavy perfume . I'd never been one for small talk , and we walked in silence until Foster finally broke . " Where did you study , Ms. Callum ? " " Oakwood University ." " I know someone who went there too . " " Small world ." " The principal mentioned you're returning to Oakwood tomorrow ? " " Yes . My stint here is finished ." " Then ... would you let me take you to dinner sometime ? " I stopped walking , considered his words , then replied , " If you ever make it to Oakwood , I'll buy you dinner . It would be my pleasure . " Foster scratched his neck , that easy grin spreading across his face . " Since when do women pay ? " Before we knew it , we'd reached the school entrance . By the track , Castro lingered in the shadows with Zain . They had a clear view of Blanche and Foster as they walked back together . " Look at those two , Mr. Jacob , " Castro said with a knowing smile . " Don't Dr. Callum and Mr. Bobby make a handsome pair ? " Zain's eyes tracked their movement , his face unreadable . Zain's POV Blanche , I thought , never knew when to stop . I'd been crystal clear with my rejection , yet she kept pushing - asking when I'd come home . No surprise I'd stopped answering her calls . 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind After Carry's birth , Blanche had been a wreck - hair tangled , clothes reeking of sour milk , skin pale and lifeless . Whatever spark she'd once possessed had died completely . I hadn't laid a finger on her in years . But like it or not , she remained my wife . Yet she seemed to have forgotten that fact - getting cozy with another man . I remained silent . Castro mistook it for indifference , but couldn't resist adding , " She's quality . Any man who gets her will be blessed ." Blessed? Was I ? I didn't buy it . Didn't give a damn either . After all , my success had nothing to do with Blanche . Meanwhile , Blanche and Foster disappeared around the academic building's corner . " Mr. Jacob , " Castro said suddenly , " you and Mr. Grey have been drinking . You won't make it back to the city tonight . Maybe you'd consider staying at my place ? " The town lacked decent accommodations , and Castro figured a man like me wouldn't tolerate shabby conditions . I stared into the distance , deep in thought . Blanche's POV By the time I reached my room and shut the door , Castro was escorting Zain down the hallway . Castro's room sat directly across from mine . As Castro fumbled with his keys , Zain spoke up , " Don't worry about it , Mr. Dixon . I've got somewhere to crash ." Before Castro could respond , Zain was rapping on my door . I opened it to find him standing there , my eyebrows pulling together . " What do you want ? " My tone was flat , missing the warmth and deference I used to show him . He didn't wait for permission - just pushed past me into the room . Castro still stood frozen as Zain quietly closed the door behind him . The space was basic : bed , desk , small couch , bathroom . The bedspread was pale green with tiny flowers - neat , simple , nothing special . I planted myself by the door , eyes narrowing . " You barged in here uninvited - what's your game ? " My words had bite , though I wasn't truly angry . Zain settled onto the couch , his expensive suit completely out of place here . Meeting my gaze , he said , " Nowhere else to go . I'm staying here tonight ." 16.00 < 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Given the choice , he'd rather sleep where I'd been than some filthy motel - or a bed used by strangers . I caught the alcohol on his breath and put the pieces together . I didn't kick him out . " Fine . Then I'll find somewhere else to sleep . Once upon a time , I'd have rushed to embrace him , run him a bath , changed the sheets , laid out comfortable pajamas and slippers . I wasn't that naive anymore . I reached for the door handle , ready to leave when he called out , " Blanche , I need a shower ! " In his mind , I'd always given him whatever he demanded . He didn't mean to rely on me - circumstances just left him no choice . If he could avoid it , he wouldn't even look at me . I paused , glanced back . " School facilities are limited . If you want to wash up , you'll need to use the communal bathhouse ." He grimaced . " No other option ? " Without cleaning up , he'd never get any sleep . There was another way , but I wasn't about to mention it . " Nope , " I said curtly . And with that , I walked out . Letting him have the room was generous enough . Zain's POV Alone , I sat restlessly . The place was spotless , but I couldn't bring myself to lie down . I called Desmond . " Get me a driver in town . We're driving back to the city . Tonight . " I'd rather spend the night bouncing around in the Rolls than try to rest in here . Blanche's POV I made my way to the school parking lot and climbed into my car . I folded the back seats down , spread out a sheet , and stretched out . Autumn nights weren't cold - a light blanket would do . I'd barely settled in when I heard Desmond's voice outside , talking to Zain . " Mr. Jacob , Ms. Vins arrived with Miss Carry . They should be here any second . " Headlights swept across the lot . A small voice called out as the car stopped , " Daddy ... " Carry launched herself into Zain's arms , clinging to him like a koala . " What brings you here ? " he asked , looking at Joanna Vins as she stepped out of the vehicle . 16:00 3/4 > 13 Chapter 13 The Pain It Left Behind Before Joanna could answer , Carry patted his cheek . " Carry missed Daddy . Miss Joanna missed Daddy too . She kept saying you'd hate the accommodations here and had to come rescue you " Zain's mouth curved slightly . " Aren't you worried about being late for school tomorrow ? " " I'm more worried you won't get proper rest ." That made me think of myself . I'd never considered his comfort like that . " Let's not stand around , " Joanna suggested . " Get in . " Zain lifted Carry into the car , shut the door , then straightened to face Joanna . " I appreciate you coming ." Under the streetlight , her beautiful face was split perfectly - half bathed in golden light , half lost in shadow . Her eyes held a depth that was impossible to ignore . Two figures stood beside the car , enough to make the stars and moon pause their dance . From where I sat , it looked like they were about to kiss . Maybe they remembered Carry was watching - so they held back . Only after the car disappeared did tears blur my vision . Letting go was real . But so was the pain it left behind . Comment 0 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Send Gifts Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift . 16:00 d did tears blur my vision . Letting go was real . But so was the pain it left behind . Comment 0 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Send Gifts Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift . 16:00