What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 269

Kaia immediately looked away, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Mom, why won't you let Dad stay here?" Brynlee let go of Finnian and ran over, grabbing Kaia's hand and swinging it desperately. "Why? His office is super close to here!"

Looking down into her daughter's devastatingly hopeful eyes, a suffocating wave of despair crashed over Kaia. Finnian had committed the ultimate betrayal, yet somehow, she and her daughter were the ones paying the agonizing price. It was entirely unfair.

"Brynlee, please don't make this harder on me," Finnian stepped in smoothly. "Mom and I made this decision together. If you miss me, you can always come back to the estate and stay with me."

"No! I don't want to split up! I want all three of us together!" Brynlee cried, clutching Kaia's hand tighter. Her lower lip wobbled dangerously. "Mom, don't you love Dad anymore? You told me you loved him very, very much..."

Kaia's heart seized. She shot a panicked glance at Finnian.

A strange, dark flicker crossed Finnian's eyes as he stared back at her, his gaze heavy with intense scrutiny.

She really would say anything to pacify the child, wouldn't she?

"Loved him very, very much?"

Since when? Why was this news to him?

"Alright, Brynlee, this is grown-up stuff. It's too complicated for you to understand right now," Kaia said softly, quickly bending down to scoop the girl into her arms. She walked swiftly toward the dining area to break the tension. "Didn't you say you wanted those bunny-shaped candies earlier? I'll get you a few."

"Yes! I really want them!" Brynlee cheered, her emotional crisis instantly derailed by the promise of sugar.

Finnian stood rooted in place, his somber gaze tracking Kaia's every move. He deliberately chose not to expose her lie.

Walking over to them, he shoved his hands into his pockets. "We're having dinner at the estate tonight. Grandmother's orders."

Kaia offered a curt hum of acknowledgment.

Finnian then turned to Brynlee. "Want to ride back with me first? Mom will meet us there later."

"Okay!" Brynlee agreed easily. Finnian effortlessly lifted her into his arms and headed for the front door. Pausing with his hand on the knob, he looked back. "Say goodbye to Mom."

Munching happily on a candy, Brynlee waved her little hand. "Bye, Mom! I'm going with Dad, see you later!"

"Alright, be good," Kaia forced a smile just as the door clicked shut behind them.

The silence that followed was deafening. Kaia's heart felt like it had been violently punctured.

He hadn't come here to apologize or check in. He came here to rip Brynlee away from her, using their daughter as leverage to force her compliance.

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