What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 147

Kaia's heart stopped. The blood in her veins turned to ice before rushing violently to her head. The ambient noise of the ballroom completely faded, replaced by a deafening, high-pitched ringing in her ears.

"Mom, did you fix it yet? I want to play," Brynlee urged beside her.

Right at that moment, Finnian suddenly stood up and walked toward them. Kaia only had time to register the words 'Pregnancy Test Report' and the glaring letters indicating a 'Positive' result before she was forced to look away.

She rapidly exited the messaging app and reopened the game just as Finnian reached them. He leaned over, looking at the phone. "Brynlee, come sit by Dad. I'll play with you for a bit."

Finnian looked up at Kaia and added, "Don't worry, I'm only letting her play for fifteen minutes."

Kaia felt entirely numb, yet a raging inferno consumed her mind. She clenched her fists tightly, fighting with every ounce of willpower to keep her face perfectly composed.

Only when Finnian spoke did she force herself to look up at him. The suffocation in her chest was unbearable.

The absolute disappointment and bone-chilling betrayal she felt in that moment defied words.

Kaia quietly lowered her eyes, gripping her wine glass. The sheer exhaustion of finally seeing through all the lies drained her of the energy to lash out. She threw her head back and downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. Snagging another glass from a passing waiter, she stared blankly as the crystal-clear bubbles rose and popped silently against the glass.

"Kaia, what's wrong? Isn't this your favorite dish? Why aren't you eating?" Her mother's voice yanked Kaia back from her frozen state.

She slowly looked up and forced a stiff smile at Jane. "I'm just a little full."

Jane sighed. "Look how much weight you've lost lately. Are you stressed? You're not eating properly at all."

Kaia squeezed out another smile and shook her head. "No, I'm eating on time. Mom, you eat. I'm going to run to the restroom."

Kaia quickly stood up and practically fled toward the restroom.

The hallway was empty, the lively chatter of the ballroom fading behind her. All she could hear was the heavy, agonizing thud of her own heartbeat.

She was getting a divorce. Finnian was filthy.

When Kaia returned from the restroom, Elaine was already standing on the stage, looking adoringly at Noelle as she made her way through the crowd.

Elaine beckoned her up. Wearing a flawless, graceful smile, Noelle nodded to the guests as she glided onto the stage.

All eyes were locked on the two women.

Elaine's voice, amplified by the microphone, rang out with joy and contentment. "Today, I have a major announcement, and I want all my esteemed guests here to bear witness."

A murmur of curiosity rippled through the crowd.

Elaine took Noelle's hand, facing the audience with a nostalgic sigh. "Nineteen years ago, I personally brought Noelle into the Sanders family. She has always been sweet, sensible, and incredibly capable. Now that Rafael is gone, our family owes her so much."

Was Noelle pregnant right now?

Kaia looked at Noelle again and realized that she had been holding a teacup all day, deliberately avoiding alcohol. It was a glaringly obvious hint.

The atmosphere in the ballroom grew even more festive as everyone rushed forward to congratulate Noelle on officially becoming the lady of the Sanders family.

Surrounded by well-wishers, Noelle soaked in the attention with a picture-perfect smile.

"Your boss didn't show up," Jane noted, scanning the room and realizing the head of Vanguard, Silas Sanders, was nowhere to be seen.

Kaia just noticed it too. But Silas had always been a renegade; he didn't care about stuffy societal rules and pleasantries.

"He's probably busy," Kaia replied dismissively.

Just then, Noelle, holding a glass of sparkling water, woven her way through the scattered groups of guests and approached Kaia's family.

She wore a smile that perfectly toed the line between warm and haughty.

"Kaia!" Noelle's voice was honey-sweet. "I've been so busy playing hostess, I haven't even had the chance to properly chat with you."

Noelle shifted her gaze to Kaia's parents, beaming. "Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, please, enjoy yourselves."