9 Chapter 9 It Was Never About Dinner Blanche's POV 1 Just as I was leading Camila out of the ward , I collided with Ophelia . Still seething about Carry's allergy and my failure to cook dinner , she didn't even glance up before snapping , " Watch where you're going ! " Ophelia only realized it was me after her harsh words escaped . This discovery seemed to fuel her rage even more , but before she could unleash another verbal assault , I stepped around her and walked away with Camila . Amber followed behind us , offering Ophelia nothing more than a polite nod as we passed . I heard Ophelia's footsteps halt momentarily before she recovered . She whirled around and shouted after me , but we were already halfway down the corridor . " Blanche ! " she yelled , taking several quick steps forward . " You're abandoning your daughter again ? What kind of mother are you ? " Her words reached my ears , but I didn't break stride . If I was such a terrible mother , then good mothers simply didn't exist . Fragments of raising Carry crashed through my thoughts - all those endless nights , all that devotion I'd poured out - yet the Jacobs still treated me like I'd contributed nothing . Zain's POV After hurling a few more pointless insults , Ophelia finally surrendered and returned to the ward . She discovered me cradling Carry and immediately vented , " Didn't you say you had work ? Why didn't you force Blanche to stay here with Carry ? " I carefully placed Carry back on the bed before responding , " Carry's my priority . Work can be postponed until tomorrow . " Ophelia unpacked the grilled cheese sandwich she'd brought , extracting it from the takeout bag while grumbling , " You never discipline Blanche properly . Can't even manage her own child , can't be bothered preparing meals . She's becoming too arrogant . " I accepted the grilled cheese sandwich , tearing off a small piece to test its temperature . " Don't worry about it . She'll calm down in a few days . " I suspected Blanche was upset , likely because I'd brought Joanna to Blissfield Villa . Though I couldn't be completely sure . I broke off another morsel of the grilled cheese sandwich , feeding Carry before abruptly freezing . Then I shoved the remaining sandwich toward Ophelia . " Mom , watch Carry for me . I need to track down Blanche . " I'd just remembered these coming days coincided with Blanche's most fertile window . My strategy was straightforward - get her pregnant now and eliminate the need for these monthly encounters . Ophelia accepted the sandwich and nodded without hesitation , assuming I simply planned to scold Blanche . Blanche's POV Outside the hospital , I stood gripping Camila's small hand . Amber could tell how deeply Ophelia's cruel words had wounded me . She was about to offer comfort when Camila beat her to it . ALIEN 1/2 < 9 Chapter 9 It Was Never About Dinner " I'm sorry , Aunt Blanche , " Camila whispered , gazing up with remorseful eyes . " I shouldn't have said mean things about Carry ." Her sincerity was genuine . After all , Carry was my daughter , and her comments must have caused me pain . I looked down at my niece with conflicted emotions . Camila's compassion moved me , but Carry's behavior broke my heart . I crouched to Camila's eye level and gently stroked her hair . " You did nothing wrong , sweetheart . Don't apologize . If anyone owes an apology , it's me for spoiling Carry . " Camila wrapped her arms around my neck , pressing her cheek against mine . " Don't be sad , Aunt Blanche . I'll never leave you " Tears threatened to spill from my eyes . " Okay . I won't be sad anymore . " We embraced tightly until our taxi pulled up . When I straightened , Amber smiled at me with an expression that clearly revealed she'd noticed how much I'd transformed . I gave a small , rueful laugh . " It only took me forever to wake up. " Amber squeezed my shoulder reassuringly . As I was climbing into the taxi , a familiar voice calling my name cut through the surrounding chaos . That icy , emotionless tone belonged to Zain alone . I turned to confront him . The love that used to illuminate my face when I saw him had vanished . Now my eyes held only the distant coldness I reserved for strangers . Zain approached , his voice expressionless . " Let's have dinner together ." I went rigid . Years of marriage , and he'd never once made this suggestion . I wasn't naive enough to believe he actually cared . Those divorce papers must have finally caught his attention . This wasn't romance - it was strategy . With that realization , I accepted . After instructing Amber and Camila to continue without me , I slid into Zain's car wordlessly . The silence between us became suffocating and tense . I gazed out the window at the blurring streetscape , too absorbed in my thoughts to notice we were driving toward Alexander Villa . When the recognizable gates of Alexander Villa appeared , I emerged from my reverie . But I didn't question him about dinner . We both understood that had never been his true motivation . Zain exited the car and strode directly inside without speaking . I followed in silence . When we reached the upstairs bedroom , he began removing his jacket . I quickly averted my gaze , startled . Noticing my reaction , Zain paused and released a cold laugh . " What ? Did you actually think we were having dinner here ? " I grasped his meaning immediately . This was about another pregnancy attempt . That bed had served no other purpose throughout our marriage except baby - making . I had zero intention of cooperating . " I assumed we came to sign documents , " I stated coolly . Seeing Zain's bewildered expression , I knew instantly he hadn't even examined the divorce papers . A bitter smile touched my lips . " They're in the study . See for yourself ." Zain had been unfastening his shirt buttons . At my words , he slowlyrefastened them . For once , he displayed unusual patience with me . As Zain headed toward the study , my phone vibrated . I glanced down to see " Amara Jerry " lighting up the screen - my closest friend . Answering immediately , I heard blaring bar sounds and Amara's alcohol - thickened voice , " Blanche , I'm wasted . Can you pick me up ? " 15:59 < 9 Chapter 9 It Was Never About Dinner Worried about Amara , I agreed instantly . " Send me the location . I'm coming right now . The moment the address notification arrived , I rushed downstairs , barely managing to inform Zain . Cherry emerged from the staff quarters just as I was hurrying down the stairs . " Cherry " I called over my shoulder without stopping , " tell Zain to contact me if he has issues with the papers . " Looking puzzled , Cherry started to ask more questions , but I was already outside , disappearing into the night . Comment 0 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Send Gifts Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift . Swipe Left To Continue >