What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 301

Finnian froze. "A Marital Separation Agreement?"

Jane pulled a document from her pocket and held it out. "I had a lawyer draft it. Read the terms."

Finnian took the paperwork stiffly. He glanced at the cover page but made no move to open it. "Jane, is this really necessary?" The absurdity of the situation gnawed at him.

Jane scoffed, seeing his reluctance. "If you don't want a divorce, you need to show some commitment. The agreement states that you are delaying the divorce solely for your daughter's sake. During this period, you cannot demand that Kaia fulfill her wifely duties, nor will she exercise her rights as your wife. This is purely a co-parenting arrangement."

Finnian's heart skipped a beat. Did Kaia know about this?

"Is this Kaia's idea, or yours?" he asked, his voice rough.

"Mine. And hers," Jane replied coldly. "Let's be honest, Finnian. I don't like Noelle Lawrence, and Kaia has had enough of her too. She showed me your initial divorce terms. One of the clauses stated that you cannot take Brynlee to see Noelle alone. I expect you to adhere to that."

Finnian frowned. Why was everyone blaming Noelle? She hadn't done anything to deserve this kind of hostility.

He finally opened the folder and read through the clauses in silence.

After a long pause, he looked up. "I'll take this with me and give you my answer later."

Jane knew he was stalling. He didn't want to sever his marriage immediately—partly for personal reasons, but largely because it affected the business. That was how men operated, weighing the pros and cons to secure the most advantageous path while barricading the rest.

"Fine. I won't force you to choose right this second," Jane conceded with a nod. "But don't make me wait too long."

Finnian nodded.

As Jane turned to leave, she paused. "Kaia gave you seven years of her life. She gave you a daughter and built your company from the ground up. You owe her. Don't let her walk away with nothing."

Finnian's jaw tightened. "I won't. She'll get exactly what she deserves."

"And don't fool yourself into thinking she's unwanted just because she's leaving you. She gave you her best years, but she has plenty of options."

Finnian stiffened. His lips pressed into a thin line.

"Was this your idea?" he pressed.

A few seconds passed before her voice filtered through the speaker. "Finnian, I won't stop you from seeing whoever you want, and I expect the same courtesy. If you agree, sign it. If not, we can negotiate."

Finnian's heart plummeted. She couldn't wait to be rid of him.

"What about Brynlee?" His voice dropped a few degrees. "Do you think she'll be happy if she finds out?"

"Stop using our daughter as an excuse. We're getting a divorce eventually. If she finds out, I'll explain it to her properly. I expect you to cooperate." She had seen right through him. He was just trying to drag this out.

Maybe a household emptied of warmth was worse for Brynlee's upbringing anyway. If it really comes to that and her daughter finds out, Kaia will explain it well.

Finnian clutched the watch, entirely speechless. If even his daughter couldn't be used as leverage...

"I'll sign it." He broke the silence. "But we need to iron out a few details."