What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 263

Because they attended the same elite prep school, Finnian and Noelle shared a car every day. Finnian was already tall for his age, and he made it a habit to carry her backpack for her. At first, Noelle would blush and insist she could do it herself, but Finnian was determined to fulfill his duty as her protector.

He remembered a rainy afternoon when the walk from the classroom to the front gates felt miles long. Finnian shoved his umbrella into Noelle's hands, hoisted his backpack over his head, and sprinted into the downpour. It was the first time he truly understood that protecting his family was his absolute responsibility.

There was another time at the park when a sudden storm broke out. Neither of the Sanders boys had brought an umbrella, but Noelle, always meticulous, had a small one tucked in her bag.

The three kids huddled beneath it. Rafael held the handle, tilting it entirely toward Noelle and Finnian while his own shoulder got soaked. To keep his older brother from getting drenched, Finnian squeezed closer to the middle. Noelle was sandwiched between them, shielded by two solid, warm walls of protection.

They used to chase butterflies in the estate's gardens and sneak out at night to catch fireflies. The Sanders Estate had a magnificent French Sycamore in the backyard. In the autumn, its fallen leaves created a brilliant golden carpet that crunched beneath their feet.

Finnian was always the troublemaker, teasing Rafael and Noelle mercilessly before standing under the sycamore tree, laughing loudly as the sunlight danced across his face through the golden canopy. It was a memory etched deeply into Noelle's mind.

Years later, when Noelle was fifteen and Finnian was eighteen, he left for university. Noelle hugged him, sobbing uncontrollably, begging him not to go.

Finnian spent hours coaxing her until she finally stopped crying. Before he left, she clumsily slipped a handmade Lavender Sachet into his bag, demanding he never lose it.

Later, she asked him to make her a bookmark.

Finnian had carefully selected a sycamore leaf, pressed it flat, dried it, and elegantly inscribed a poem across it: "A single sycamore leaf falls, and the world knows autumn has arrived. For Noelle."

She had beamed, clutching the Sycamore Leaf Bookmark like it was her greatest treasure.

"I'm sorry, Finnian. I shouldn't be asking this of you."

Noelle's hoarse voice snapped Finnian back to the present. She bit her lower lip nervously. "You're my family, but you're also Kaia's husband. On a night like this, you should be by her side, keeping her company."

Finnian's heart twisted, his gaze softening with pity.

She was always too understanding, always so afraid of inconveniencing others.

"Fine, but you're not allowed to drink anymore. If you don't listen, I'll have Mrs. Wagner clear every bottle of alcohol out of this house." He demanded a promise.

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