What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 231

"Mom, there's no need to do all this extra stuff," Kaia said softly.

"Just think of it as blowing off some steam. What's done is done. Let's see how Finnian reacts. It's about time we reminded certain shameless people that you're still his actual wife. She can't just walk all over you. Your silence doesn't mean you're going to tolerate it." Jane had a fiery temper. She often wondered how she had raised a daughter with such a quiet, calm disposition.

Kaia knew her mother wanted her to take a strong stance to protect her interests. In truth, it wasn't that she hadn't considered it; she was just afraid that an ugly fallout would hurt her daughter.

"Alright, I'll listen to you this once," Kaia said, not wanting her mother to feel stifled. Since Jane had come up with the idea, she decided to follow through with it.

Warren, who had walked ahead carrying Brynlee, looked back and realized his wife and daughter had fallen quite a bit behind.

He stood in place, waiting for them to catch up.

Just then, Brynlee pointed down the corridor and shouted, "Grandpa, I see Grandma and Noelle! They're shopping here too."

Brynlee's voice immediately caught the attention of Elaine and Noelle. The two women were carrying their shopping bags, and when they looked up, they saw Kaia's family walking down the corridor, clearly loaded down with their own purchases.

Seeing the numerous shopping bags in Jane's hands made a heavy feeling settle in Elaine's chest.

Over the past seven years, aside from important holidays when Kaia would give her formal gifts, her usual presents consisted of health tonics and custom skincare products. In Elaine's eyes, those were just cheap trinkets.

Seeing Kaia spend so generously on her own parents today struck a bitter nerve in Elaine's mind.

Kaia and Jane watched as Elaine and Noelle walked over to them.

"Jane, you truly raised a good girl. You must feel so blessed," Elaine said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Kaia stiffened, her expression tightening instantly.

Jane offered a tight, polite smile. "Of course I am. And the best is yet to come."

Seeing Jane play dumb, Elaine turned directly to Kaia. "I wonder if there's anything for me in all those bags?"

Kaia hadn't expected Elaine to ask so blatantly. Out of respect for her elder, she kept her cool. "If there's something you'd like, I can pick it out for you."

"Forget it. Asking for it ruins the meaning," Elaine shot back, her smile turning icy.

Noelle watched Kaia get scolded by Elaine, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

Oh, Kaia. Did you forget you joined the Sanders family? Even if they are your real parents, favoring them this much is bound to make people hate you.

Jane's face was stormy, but she held her tongue for Brynlee's sake.

Kaia felt a thorn wedge itself deeper into her heart.

As evening fell, Kaia received a text message. It was from Silas. She hadn't realized he was in the country for the holiday weekend too.

Silas asked if she was free for dinner, mentioning that his sister, Seraphina, would be joining them.

The videos Kaia had seen—the footage of Finnian and Noelle's youthful romance—had all been recorded by Seraphina and saved on an old camera and laptop.

Kaia accepted the invitation. Truthfully, she was curious to meet Seraphina.

In the seven years since she joined the Sanders family, Seraphina had rarely visited the country. Even when she did, she seemed to intentionally avoid Finnian's side of the family.

Kaia had no idea what she looked like or what kind of person she was.