What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 2

She turned and walked back downstairs.

At the landing, she saw her four-year-old daughter, Brynlee Sanders, hopping around, trading candy with a few other children her age.

"Mommy..." Brynlee ran over happily and hugged her leg. "Mommy, I'm playing games with my new friends. We're having so much fun!"

Looking at her daughter's innocent, joyful face, the pain in Kaia's own heart was unbearable.

She knelt down and wiped a smudge of candy from her daughter's mouth.

Brynlee's little hand immediately pulled two chocolates from her pocket and pressed them into her mother's. "For you, Mommy."

A lump formed in Kaia's throat. With chilled fingertips, she reached out and took the chocolates from her daughter.

Not far away, the master of ceremonies announced that guests should proceed to the main hall for the service.

The words brought Kaia back to reality. She stroked her daughter's hair. "Be a good girl, Brynlee. Go find Maria and have her get you something to eat. Mommy has to go help our guests."

"Okay!" Brynlee nodded obediently and skipped away.

Kaia stood up, her fingers gripping the banister as she took a deep breath.

So all these years, what she thought was a harmonious marriage, a close bond between brothers, and a sisterly affection between herself and Noelle... it was all a lie.

Kaia slowly descended the stairs, forcing a polite smile as guests approached to offer their condolences.

"Mr. Davis, my sincerest apologies. I couldn't find the spare clothes right away. I've asked one of the staff to bring you a fresh towel and a jacket. Please make do with that for now, so you don't catch a chill."

Mr. Davis thanked her graciously.

The memorial service began.

The mournful music played softly as Finnian, as the deceased's brother, took the stage to give the eulogy on behalf of the family.

Kaia looked up at Finnian on the stage. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his posture tall and straight, his handsome face etched with grief.

The man she had slept beside for six years had become a complete stranger, hidden behind a veil of secrets.

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