What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 258

"Kaia," she began, "I came here today because there's something we need to talk about."

Kaia's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. "Go ahead, Grandmother."

Josephine was silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly. "Why didn't you tell me you were moving out? I had to hear about it from outsiders."

Kaia stiffened, instantly lowering her head. She didn't offer an excuse.

Josephine continued, "Are you doing this to punish Finnian? Don't use work as an excuse; I don't buy it. If a woman truly has her heart in her home, no job could ever eclipse her family."

Kaia's fingers curled inward slightly, but she remained silent.

Watching her, a flash of genuine sympathy softened Josephine's gaze. "Kaia, I know you aren't the type to throw a tantrum for no reason. I'm sure you have your reasons for moving out, but... marriage can't survive this kind of strain. Living apart is a death sentence for a relationship. Have you really thought this through?"

The words hammered against Kaia's chest. She pressed her lips tightly together.

"I know Finnian is failing as a husband. Over the years, you haven't been properly cared for in your position as Mrs. Sanders. You've been wronged. But I truly don't want to see the two of you drift further apart. If you don't like Noelle, I will take care of her for you."

Kaia looked up in sheer shock, meeting the matriarch's eyes.

The face, lined with decades of authority, carried the absolute resolve of the head of the Sanders family. Her eyes were uncharacteristically sincere.

"Grandmother," Kaia said softly, "I'm not doing this to punish him."

Josephine waited for her to continue, genuinely wanting to understand where Kaia's head was at.

But Kaia stopped. For a moment, she didn't even know where to begin.

The problems between her and Finnian went far deeper than Noelle Lawrence. It was a suffocating web of issues.

Kaia let out a bitter, self-deprecating smile and averted her gaze, hiding from the older woman's piercing stare.

Whatever she said right now, she couldn't risk agitating Josephine. She was well aware of her fragile health.

"Grandmother," Kaia finally said, "I understand what you're saying. I will think about it. And thank you for bringing me lunch."

Josephine stared at her. Kaia's impenetrable calm drew another sigh from her. For someone so young, she was like a deep, unreadable pool of water.

"Alright!" Josephine stood up. "But my stance remains the same: a Sanders daughter-in-law belongs in the Sanders estate."

She walked toward the door, pausing just before she crossed the threshold. Without looking back, she said, "I came here today to tell you that this family has a place for you. And no one can take it away."

Kaia stood frozen in place, staring at the steaming food on her desk. A long time passed before she finally let out a soft sigh.

Finnian's brow furrowed. Saying she would 'think about it' was just a polite brush-off.

He knew Kaia too well. Consideration meant rejection.

"Grandmother," Finnian started, hesitating, his frown deepening.

Josephine scrutinized him. "Give it to me straight. What exactly is going on between you and Kaia?"

Finnian guiltily averted his gaze to the window. "Nothing."

"You're lying through your teeth." Josephine was boiling over now, pointing a finger at him. "You've always been impossible to read since you were a boy. What exactly are you trying to pull?"

"Grandmother," Finnian finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. "Kaia really did move to the apartment for work. I already agreed to it."

"You agreed to it?" Josephine scoffed. "Are you absolutely certain she needed your permission to move out?"

Finnian was instantly cornered.

Josephine narrowed her eyes. "No marriage is perfect, but when there are problems, you communicate and clear the misunderstandings. That's how you survive. You agreed to let her move to Veridian today. What if she moves somewhere else tomorrow? What if she moves out of the country the day after that? Are you going to agree to that, too?"

Finnian's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed.