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 15:59 < 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 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 15.59 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 . Comment 1 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Send Gifts Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift .