18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna Blanche's POV 1 Roger and Irene sat rigid on the living room couch . Tension hung thick in the air , nobody daring to break the silence . Steam rose from the untouched tea set on the coffee table . The moment I stepped into the room , Roger straightened . " Blanche , would you make us some tea ? " His voice carried a familiar warmth . " It's been ages since you've brewed a proper cup . " Before my marriage to Zain , Roger had always savored my tea - making ritual . He'd share business stories while I worked , though back then I barely listened - just nodded along with polite smiles and empty responses . The memory stung now. I'd thrown myself at the Jacob family , people who'd never lifted a finger for me . Meanwhile , my own parents had sacrificed everything to raise me , only to watch me transform into someone else's devoted servant . The irony was crushing . " Of course , " I murmured , settling onto the small stool by the tea table . My hands moved through the familiar motions automatically . Roger and Irene watched in complete silence . I could sense unspoken words hovering between us , but I didn't pry . I simply waited . When the tea was ready , I offered Roger his cup . " Here you go , Dad ." Irene shook her head - she always avoided caffeine after dinner to protect her sleep . Before my marriage , the Callum household had been genuinely happy . Quinton acted tough but was soft inside , always insisting his baby sister deserved someone who'd worship the ground she walked on . Fate had different plans . I ended up with Zain , who felt nothing for me . When Amber joined our family through Quinton , she embraced me like blood . I'd gained another person who truly cared . I understood Irene's nighttime tea avoidance - and knew I was partly to blame . After I'd thrown myself into Jacob family life , Irene had cried herself to sleep countless nights . Peaceful rest had become nearly impossible for her . Roger gripped his cup without drinking , studying my face for a long moment before the words finally broke free . " Blanche , divorce is fine . But that baby ? You nearly died bringing her into this world . You need to fight for her . " His voice grew firm . " Your mother and I have discussed this . Bring her home . We'll help raise her . Why should the Jacob family keep your child ? " My chest tightened hearing this . Of course I wanted my daughter with me . " Dad , it's not about wanting custody , " I said , staring down at my hands . " Carry doesn't want to be with me . " The admission felt like swallowing glass . Roger's patience snapped . " Carry's a girl . Girls need their mothers . If she were a boy , maybe we wouldn't push so hard for custody . The Jacob family's been desperate for a son - how can you let them raise Carry ? " I understood his fear . He worried the Jacobs , with their obvious preference for boys , would mistreat Carry . < 18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna The Jacobs weren't good people , but Zain was different . He was her father . I drew a steady breath . " Dad , Zain is Carry's father . He won't hurt her ." Roger's voice exploded . " You trust him more than your own family ? Blanche , you know who really has that child's best interests at heart ." Zain had wounded me deeply with his indifference , but he was devoted to our daughter . Faced with Roger's challenge , I couldn't form a proper response . Instead , I looked at him helplessly . " Dad ... " Roger's knuckles went white around the teacup . He turned away sharply , moisture gathering in his eyes . When he spoke again , his voice trembled . " Then at least let me see the child . I haven't laid eyes on her since the day she was born . She's your own flesh and blood ... " His words trailed off as Irene quietly pressed tissues to her eyes . Watching my parents ' pain twisted my heart . I'd barely visited the Callum home since my marriage . Worried my family wouldn't accept Carry , I'd kept her sheltered at Blissfield Villa . But I'd never realized my parents and brother had hearts big enough to love my child unconditionally . The problem was Carry's growing coldness toward me . I honestly wasn't sure I could convince her to visit the Callum family now . Irene rubbed Roger's back , her own eyes red - rimmed as she looked at me . " Your father hasn't slept properly in recent days over this . Ever since Carry was born , he's been collecting little gifts for her , hoping you'd bring her home so he could finally give them to her . " Her voice thickened . " We supported your divorce decision . But Carry's your own daughter . It's not like we can't afford to care for her . Why hand her over to the Jacob family like that ? Even if you don't get custody , shouldn't Carry know who her grandparents are ? Your father and I just want to see our granddaughter . That's all we're asking " I stared at the table's pattern , my vision blurring . After a long silence , I finally whispered , " Okay . I'll try . " I could abandon the custody fight . But my parents ' heartfelt plea was impossible to ignore . They were simply grandparents longing to meet their granddaughter . Late that night , I stepped out of the shower . Wrapped in my towel , I stood motionless before my vanity mirror . After several minutes of internal debate , I decided to call Zain . Usually he'd ignore my calls , but tonight he answered immediately . " What do you want ? " Zain's voice , once the sound I'd craved most , came through the line . I felt nothing - no flutter , no warmth . That reaction was long dead . " Is Carry there ? " My tone was flat , businesslike , as if I were speaking to a complete stranger . " She is , " Zain replied . " Put her on . I need to speak with her , " I said without hesitation . Zain didn't respond verbally , but I heard him call out nearby , " Carry . Your mom's on the phone . Come take this ." Carry's voice immediately cut through , dripping with hostility . " No. I don't want to talk to her ." 16.02 X 18 Chapter 18 Apologize To Miss Joanna Carry was maintaining her stance against me . Her teacher had taught her that people earned forgiveness by admitting mistakes and making amends . Carry had decided : ' Until Mom apologizes , I won't make peace with her ! I had no idea what was going through Carry's mind , and I wasn't about to guess . If she didn't want to talk , I wouldn't force her . Just as I was about to hang up , Zain's voice suddenly lurned sharp . " Carry Jacob . " Using her full name meant Zain was seriously angry . Carry feared her father and instinctively flinched . But still pouting , she muttered , " Dad , Mom's the one who did wrong . She hasn't even apologized to Miss Joanna yet . Why should I take her call ? " Hearing Carry's words left me completely bewildered . " What do you mean ? " I asked without thinking . Zain looked away from Carry and shot back coldly , " You tell me . " Before I could process anything , Joanna's gentle voice drifted through from Zain's end . " Come on , Carry , bath time . You have school tomorrow . " I couldn't take another second . I slammed the phone down , my legs giving out . I had to grip the vanity edge to keep from collapsing . Carry's words shredded my heart . I had absolutely no clue what I'd supposedly done wrong in her eyes . The thought of Zain and Joanna together made me physically ill . I'd barely given up the title of Mrs. Jacob , and they were already rushing to play happy family . I thought bitterly , ' I guess Zain couldn't wait to share Joanna's bed every night , instead of showing the complete disinterest he'd always shown me .' Comment 0 Leave the first comment for this chapter . 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