What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 208

Noelle was shocked and speechless.

Hearing this, Finnian finally looked down at his daughter. "Brynlee," he said gently, "she's your aunt. We're family. It's totally normal to buy a gift for family. You shouldn't say things like that."

"But we came here today to buy a gift for Mom! We never said we were buying a gift for Aunt Noelle. She picked it out herself, so shouldn't she pay for it herself?" Brynlee's logic was air-tight, and she delivered it with absolute confidence.

Finnian just reached out and ruffled her hair, not offering any further correction.

Noelle had originally planned to throw a little tantrum to make Finnian feel guilty and insist on paying.

Now, thanks to this little terror calculating every move, Finnian hadn't picked up on her cues at all.

"Brynlee, who taught you to talk like that? You certainly are full of surprises today. But honestly, it's a good thing. With a mind that sharp, no one will ever be able to trick you when you grow up," Noelle praised with a tight smile. Inside, she was boiling with rage. "Kaia really raised a piece of work. If she's this calculating now, what is she going to be like when she's older?"

"No one taught me, Aunt Noelle. I thought of it all by myself! I'm really smart, right?" Brynlee couldn't detect the venom in Noelle's voice and took the compliment at face value.

Once they finished paying, Noelle made an excuse about needing to be somewhere and quickly left. Before heading to the elevator, she made a big show of telling Finnian and Brynlee to drive safe. Right before she walked away, she pinched Brynlee's cheek—a little too hard, clearly struggling to hide her irritation.

Brynlee happily carried the shopping bag and followed her dad to the car.

Noelle turned on her heel, the smile vanishing from her face the second she faced the elevator doors.

"I am so incredibly pissed," Noelle hissed, her fists clenched. She was absolutely convinced that someone behind the scenes was coaching Brynlee to say these insulting things.

The sleek black Bentley pulled up to the estate. Finnian looked down at his daughter, who was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"We're home. I have to go give Mom her present! I just know she's going to love it!" Brynlee suddenly perked up, her energy magically returning.

Just as they stepped out of the car, Kaia walked out to the front porch. She was wearing a white bathrobe, her long dark hair casually clipped up in the back.

"Mommy! This is for you!" Brynlee couldn't wait another second, thrusting the gift bag she had been clutching toward Kaia. "I picked it out all by myself!"

Kaia looked at the purple velvet box and felt her chest tighten.

She looked past her daughter to Finnian, who was stepping out of the car. "Brynlee spotted it the second we walked in," he said softly. "She said it was perfect for you. You should take it."

Kaia knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. If Finnian was suddenly buying her gifts, there was undoubtedly some ulterior motive behind it.

"Mommy, why aren't you taking it? Do you not like it?" Brynlee's arms were starting to get tired, and her big, dark eyes were filled with desperate anticipation.

Kaia couldn't bear to break her daughter's heart. She reached out and took the box, forcing a gentle smile. "I love it. Thank you, sweetheart."

"You're welcome!" Brynlee beamed, thoroughly satisfied.

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