What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 287

Panic flashed across Finnian's handsome features. He immediately called Dexter, ordering him to track Noelle's location. Ten agonizing minutes later, Dexter called back, empty-handed. He reported that Noelle had left Aethelstan Biopharma around three in the afternoon, and her trail went completely cold.

Hearing this, a dark, dangerous aura radiated from Finnian. "Keep looking."

Outside, the sky had completely darkened. In the hospital room, Kaia suddenly woke up. She had just dreamed of their wedding night. Finnian had come home in the middle of the night, dead drunk, grabbed a blanket, and slept on the sofa. He had spoken to her in a tone so devastatingly polite and hollow, telling her to "get some rest."

Opening her eyes, the silence in the room was deafening.

The sharp smell of antiseptic was everywhere. Through the half-open window, she could see the dark sky and hear the faint hum of the city.

Just then, Laura practically burst through the door, clutching takeout bags. Seeing Kaia sitting up on the bed, she immediately rushed over. "Dr. Chavez, are you okay? Are you still in pain?"

Kaia offered a reassuring smile. "I'm not in pain anymore. Did you run into Finnian on your way in?"

Laura blinked, confused. "No, I didn't see him. Is Mr. Sanders here? Oh no, I didn't bring enough food for him, just for you."

Kaia glanced at the hallway, noticing the bodyguards patrolling the area.

"Don't worry about it. He can forage for himself."

"Pfft!" Laura burst out laughing. "Only animals forage. Mr. Sanders is still human, you know."

Kaia scoffed faintly. "As far as I'm concerned, he's no different from an animal."

Laura instantly remembered the freezing tension between them lately and quickly swallowed her laughter.

Knowing the CEO was somewhere nearby made Laura incredibly nervous. She kept glancing at the door, worried he'd suddenly walk in and she'd have to make an awkward exit.

Sitting in the back of his luxury sedan, Finnian stared out at the dark night. He knew Kaia was likely awake by now. He should have been by her side in the hospital, but a frantic knot of dread had completely hijacked his brain.

His phone buzzed again.

It was Dexter.

"Boss, I found her!"

"Speak!"

Dexter's voice was tense. "Ms. Lawrence took a car to the western suburbs and headed straight to Eastern Harbor. There's no record of her leaving. It looks like she boarded The Stardust Liner for its 7 PM departure. They're heading into international waters. Two days, one night."

Two days? One night? International waters?

The words made Finnian's blood run cold.

Noelle was a deeply timid woman. There was absolutely no way she would board a cruise ship completely alone.

What was she trying to do?

What the hell was going on in her head?

"Boss!" Dexter's voice snapped Finnian out of his spiraling thoughts.

He had been the one to walk up to her, take her small hand, and lead her through those doors.

He remembered how she trembled like a frightened rabbit, her fingers practically vibrating against his palm.

Even after she married his brother and became the prestigious eldest daughter-in-law, a bright smile had graced her face, but Finnian had always seen the cautious, desperate fear in her eyes.

She was terrified of being abandoned. Terrified of never being accepted, no matter how hard she tried to please them. Finnian knew better than anyone just how incredibly fragile she was.

And now she had turned her phone off, vanishing onto a ship with zero explanation. He was petrified something terrible had happened, terrified she had fallen into a trap.

At exactly 7:03 PM, Finnian arrived at Eastern Harbor.

He threw the door open. With only his driver and two bodyguards trailing behind, he practically sprinted up the boarding ramp.

The docks were brightly lit, the ocean breeze carrying the sharp scent of salt water.

Having welcomed the final wave of guests, the crew of The Stardust Liner was already pulling up the gangway and untying the ropes, preparing to launch.

Standing on the deck, Finnian threw one last glance back at the shore. His jaw locked, and he strode resolutely toward the grand hall.

The massive yacht slowly began to move, drifting further and further from the docks within minutes.

Standing at the entrance, Finnian suddenly remembered a critical detail. He pulled out his phone and called Dexter. "Go back to the hospital and handle those reporters for Kaia. Do not leave her side. Whatever she needs, you take care of it."