What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 264

"That won't happen. You'll never be alone again," Finnian said softly, his tone meant to soothe.

Noelle composed herself, masking her despair.

Finnian stood up. "I should head back. Kaia can't handle Brynlee on her own. The kid has been fussy lately."

Noelle nodded. "I'll walk you to the door."

He wanted to tell her to stay put, but she was already maneuvering her wheelchair out of the study.

When they reached the entryway, Finnian began changing into his shoes.

"If I had a child of my own, I wouldn't be this lonely," Noelle said suddenly.

Finnian froze mid-motion, as if struck by a sudden, heavy memory.

Seeing his towering frame go completely rigid, Noelle immediately feigned guilt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up. I was just talking nonsense the other day because I was so anxious."

He turned to look at her, his dark eyes unreadable and deeply complicated.

"I'm heading back," he finally said, his voice laced with a raspy hoarseness as he opened the door and walked out.

Noelle stared at the closed door until Mrs. Wagner appeared behind her. "Are you alright, Noelle?"

She quickly fixed her expression and hummed an affirmative.

"Are you hungry? I can cook something for you," the housekeeper offered diligently.

"I have no appetite," Noelle replied, shaking her head.

Seeing the heavy burden of secrets written all over Noelle's face, Mrs. Wagner hesitated, but her curiosity won out. "I know I shouldn't pry, but earlier, when I saw you and Mr. Sanders in the study..."

Noelle stiffened, her face draining of color.

"Don't misunderstand, Mrs. Wagner. I was just upset, and he was comforting me..."

"I know, I know," Mrs. Wagner rushed to say, terrified of angering her. "Don't worry, I'm not an outsider. I've watched you grow up. I would never breathe a word of your private matters to anyone."

Relieved, Noelle visibly relaxed.

Mrs. Wagner dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know it's not my place to speak, but from what I saw today... I think you and Finnian are a perfect match."

Noelle buried her face in her hands, tears slipping through her fingers.

Seeing her cry so tragically only validated the housekeeper's theories.

Driven by curiosity, Mrs. Wagner asked, "Why didn't you marry him? Why did you marry Rafael instead?"

"Don't ask," Noelle said, her voice trembling violently. "It was Grandmother's arrangement. I had no say in it."

Mrs. Wagner paused. The maids had often gossiped about what happened the morning after Noelle's twenty-second birthday. They remembered the scream echoing from her bedroom, followed by Rafael walking out, looking devastated and guilty. The marriage was swiftly arranged right after.

"Please, stop talking about it. It doesn't matter anymore. He has a wife and a child now. How could I possibly fight for him? Grandmother would never allow it."

Mrs. Wagner immediately went on the defensive for her. "So what if he has a wife? Is there any actual love between them?"

Noelle froze.

Mrs. Wagner scoffed. "Sure, they have a kid, but it's a girl, and she was born sick. A marriage like that? I give it a few years before it crumbles."

Her words struck Noelle right in the heart.