What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 23

"Finnian!" Kaia slowly came to a halt halfway up the stairs, looking down at the man in the living room.

"You broke your promise to Brynlee today. You let your daughter down, Finnian."

"Noelle fainting has absolutely nothing to do with me. She's an adult. It's her responsibility to manage her own health and her own work."

Kaia watched as Finnian's handsome face grew tense. She paused. "Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to make me feel guilty? Or do you expect me to coddle her or take responsibility for her?"

With that, she didn't bother to look at Finnian's darkening expression and continued her steady ascent up the stairs.

Finnian stood frozen in place, his face shifting between pale and livid.

Rafael had just passed away, and yet Kaia had become entirely ruthless. She was acting so cold and unfeeling.

It seemed he really didn't know the woman he had been married to for six years. Getting married so quickly back then might have been a mistake.

Finnian walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself half a glass of strong whiskey, tossed in two ice spheres, swirled it gently, and downed it in one go.

The burn of the liquor scraped against his throat, a sharp contrast to the dull ache in his chest.

He poured another half glass, gripped it tightly, and walked into his study.

The tall man stood in front of his safe and entered the passcode with his long fingers.

There wasn't much inside.

He pulled out a manila envelope, letting his fingers rest lightly against it for a moment.

Finally, he set his glass on the desk, unwound the string closure, and pulled out a few sheets of paper.

The pages were yellowing, the bold heading reading: The "Cardia-Clear" Project Agreement.

The date at the bottom was from six years ago, with Finnian and Kaia's signatures side by side.

Finnian looked over. She was wearing a purple silk robe, her long hair spilling beautifully down her back, outlining her elegant figure.

"Did I wake you?" Finnian asked, his voice low.

Kaia turned off her phone alarm and said flatly, "No. Stay and sleep a little longer with Brynlee."

With that, Kaia went to the dressing room. A short while later, she came out in a white tracksuit and headed downstairs.

Noon.

Kaia had originally planned to eat lunch at the company cafeteria, but she received a call from her mother-in-law, Elaine Sanders. Elaine said she was at a restaurant near the office and asked Kaia to join her.

When Kaia arrived, Elaine was already seated in a private dining room. She was wearing an elegant, deep purple designer dress with a matching cashmere cardigan.

Her hair was styled flawlessly, and she wore a set of emerald jewelry that exuded the regal aura of the family matriarch.