What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 254

Finnian's brow furrowed tightly. Before he could respond, Noelle continued.

"I'll keep my head down from now on. I'll just focus on work and won't step out of line again. Grandmother is getting older, and I shouldn't upset her over these trivial matters."

Listening to Noelle's compromises, Finnian was struck by how obedient and accommodating she sounded. It reminded him of the cautious, timid nine-year-old girl who had first arrived at the Sanders estate. It made his heart ache for her.

"Okay, I understand. Go to sleep early."

"Alright. Please don't drink so much anymore, Finnian," Noelle added warmly before hanging up.

Finnian held the phone, watching the screen slowly fade to black.

The burning in his stomach had largely subsided. Noelle's timely concern felt like a soothing warmth filling his chest.

Dexter walked back in, bringing a glass of warm water.

Finnian suddenly found it all incredibly ironic. One woman was so understanding it broke his heart, while the other was so ruthlessly cold it chilled his blood.

The contrast was blindingly obvious.

The next morning, Kaia had an important meeting regarding the medical division at The Sanders Tower. Executives from Aethelstan, Veridian Future, and two other subsidiaries were in attendance.

Kaia walked into the boardroom precisely at nine.

Both sides of the long mahogany table were already packed.

Spotting her nameplate, she took her seat.

The meeting commenced exactly five minutes later.

She glanced at the head of the table. Empty.

Finnian hadn't shown up.

She then looked toward the Aethelstan delegation. Noelle was absent, too.

Without a change in expression, Kaia flipped open the meeting dossier, fully aware of why they were both missing.

They had probably spent the entire night glued to each other.

The meeting proceeded as scheduled, with Aethelstan's Head of R&D, Dr. Gordon Hayes, filling in.

Every so often, Gordon would shoot Kaia a deep, probing look, his eyes laced with scrutiny.

Halfway through the agenda, they took a short recess.

As Kaia chatted quietly with the person next to her, she heard hushed whispers from behind. "Why isn't Mr. Sanders here today?"

A lower voice replied, "Do you think it's because Ms. Lawrence is in the hospital..."

The first person quickly shushed them, and the gossiping instantly died out.

Kaia didn't look back. She kept her eyes glued to the spreadsheet in front of her, calmly turning the page.

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