Early Saturday morning, Kaia carried her suitcase down the stairs.
In the Sanders family dining room, Brynlee came running out barefoot, clutching her stuffed bunny. Her eyes were a little red. "Mommy, can't you just take the day off? We have a two-day spring field trip! Anna and her uncle are going. Are you really not coming?"
Looking into her daughter's hopeful eyes, Kaia felt her heart squeeze tight.
She knelt, scooped her daughter into her arms, and warmed the little girl's bare feet with her hands. "Brynlee, of course Mommy wants to go. But this work trip is really important, and I just can't get away. Daddy promised to stay with you, and you can ask Grandma to go too..."
Right then, Finnian walked in from outside, holding a cup of coffee. He smoothly took Brynlee into his arms. "Don't worry, Daddy will be right there with you the whole time so Mommy can focus on her work."
"Okay. Mommy, you have to come back soon and bring presents for me and Daddy." Brynlee wrapped her arms tightly around Kaia's neck, refusing to let go.
Kaia kissed her little cheek. "I will. I promise."
Finnian could smell her faint, fresh perfume. Watching her sweet interaction with their daughter, his Adam's apple bobbed.
At that moment, the sound of a car pulling up echoed outside. Silas walked in, greeting them with a bright smile. "Morning, Finnian. Morning, Brynlee."
Finnian's eyes darkened. "You're going with them?"
Silas nodded. "Yep. Kaia's German isn't as good as mine, so I'm tagging along to be her translator."
Finnian looked at Kaia. She hadn't mentioned that Silas was going on the trip.
Kaia ignored his gaze and simply spoke to Brynlee. "Mommy will come straight home as soon as the work is done. Be a good girl."
"I will," Brynlee promised, her sweet nature taking over as she finally cooperated.
As Silas walked over, he naturally reached down and picked up Kaia's suitcase. "Don't worry, Finnian. I'll take good care of Kaia on the trip."
Finnian's dark eyes narrowed dangerously.
Kaia, not reading anything extra into the comment, reached out to take her bag back.
But Silas laughed easily. "Come on, Kaia. Let the men handle the heavy lifting."
Kaia didn't fight him for it. She just waved at her daughter. "Brynlee, remember to take lots of pictures for Mommy. I'll be checking in on your spring trip the whole time."
"Okay! I'll take the prettiest pictures for you!" Brynlee flashed her little teeth, giggling happily.
At the airport, Miles was sitting in the departure lounge with a few members of his team. When he saw Kaia and Silas walk in together, his expression stiffened.


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The readers' comments on the novel: What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage
Please update soon. This story is good. And I'm hoping it won't go till 2000 chapters.. Although it's current slow pace is telling....