What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 244

"Finnian, why don't you go home first? I'm fine here, and you have Brynlee waiting for you," Noelle urged softly, biting her lower lip.

"I just sent her a text. I'm staying here to keep an eye on you tonight. I'm not leaving." With that, Finnian sat on the nearby sofa and checked his phone. Kaia hadn't replied.

Noelle didn't try to persuade him again. Deep down, she desperately wanted him to stay.

The video of Noelle's fall somehow found its way online. In an instant, the entire conglomerate watched her transition from a graceful dancer into a clumsy, painful heap.

Surprisingly, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Employees praised her for being a dedicated boss who was willing to perform for her team, blending seamlessly with her subordinates. They called her a rare, exemplary leader.

Kaia had already gone to bed when a text notification woke her up.

It was a message from Finnian: *Noelle injured herself. She's in the hospital. I'm not coming home tonight.*

Kaia's sleepiness evaporated instantly. Even though she didn't care anymore, the message still made her stomach turn.

Opening her company email, she saw the video attachment someone had circulated. Clicking play, she watched Noelle fall, and naturally, she saw Finnian rushing to her side with frantic concern, scooping her up into his arms.

It was absolutely nauseating.

Completely wide awake now, Kaia slipped out of bed and padded downstairs to the liquor cabinet. This time, she dropped a spherical ice cube into a glass of whiskey. The suffocating summer night demanded something cold to numb the agitation.

As she sipped the liquor in the dimly lit room, Kaia suddenly recalled a minor incident from the early days of their marriage. She had been running a high fever of 102 degrees while Finnian was busy at the office. Feeling uncharacteristically needy, she sent him a picture of the thermometer. To her dismay, he hadn't replied until the next morning, simply asking if her fever had broken and telling her to drink plenty of fluids.

In her naive youth, she had made endless excuses for him. He was so busy, she told herself. He carried the weight of the conglomerate's core projects. She had no right to bother him with such trivial matters.

That profound understanding had accompanied her through countless seasons.

Only now did she violently snap into reality. Expecting someone else to put you first was a dangerous illusion she had spun for herself.

The only way to guarantee safety in life was to rely entirely on yourself.

When Noelle got hurt, he was the first to rush the stage. When Noelle was sick, he dropped everything to be by her side.

Kaia finally understood—she simply wasn't worth Finnian dropping everything for. She didn't deserve his immediate priority.

Her fingers tightened painfully around the glass. Finally, she downed the rest of the whiskey in one gulp, set the glass down, and headed back upstairs.

Seeing her perfect daughter lying confined to a hospital bed, Elaine rushed over with deep concern. "Noelle, I was so worried about you. I came as soon as I could."

"It's so good to have you, Mom." Noelle wrapped her arms around one of Elaine's. "Thank you for always caring about me. I feel so lucky."

"Alright, don't be such a baby. I brought you some gourmet broth. Have a little."

"Mom, did you bring clothes for me? I want to change. This hospital gown is so uncomfortable," Noelle complained softly, playing the spoiled child.

"I did." Elaine immediately pulled out a premium ivory silk dress.

Noelle changed into it right away. The sheer elegance of her pampered lifestyle was vividly apparent, and she instantly looked much brighter.

Elaine even brought a brush, gently working through Noelle's messy hair. Looking at this daughter—who remained flawlessly refined even in a hospital bed—Elaine felt a swell of genuine happiness.

Sipping the warm broth and eating the delicate breakfast prepared by the estate's chef, Noelle looked completely revitalized. Joy radiated from her face, especially as she recalled the heart-fluttering moments from the night before. A sweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked down.

Right at that moment, the door was pushed open a crack. Pearl poked her head in to confirm the room number before stepping inside with a cheap food container in hand.