What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 305

Kaia stopped in her tracks. "What condition?"

Finnian glanced toward the balcony, where Layla was washing Brynlee's hands. He stepped closer, his voice cold. "I agree to your terms, but I have my own demands."

Before Kaia could respond, Brynlee came running over, holding up her wet hands. Kaia bit her lip. "We'll talk later."

Finnian fell silent as his daughter approached.

"Mommy, I want to go to the Natural History Museum this afternoon! Can we go?"

Kaia hesitated. Her leg was still healing, and walking around a massive museum sounded agonizing. But the words died in her throat when she saw the hope in Brynlee's eyes.

Finnian crouched down, his tone gentle. "Sweetheart, Mommy has some experiments to work on. How about Daddy takes you?"

"Can we go to the museum, Daddy?" Brynlee asked, blinking her eyes.

"If you really want to go to the museum, we can go," Finnian said, leaving the decision to her.

"Yay! Mommy, are you really not coming?" Brynlee asked, her face falling slightly.

Seeing her disappointment, Kaia caved. "I'll come. But I won't be able to carry you."

Brynlee beamed. "I'll be good! I can walk by myself. You don't have to carry me."

Kaia offered a weary smile. She knew exactly what would happen the second her daughter got tired, despite her promises.

"It's fine, I'll carry her," Finnian said, glancing at Kaia in surprise. He hadn't expected her to agree to a family outing.

Kaia had her reasons. Their marriage was ending. Opportunities to take their daughter out together were dwindling rapidly. She wanted to give Brynlee these memories while they were still a family.

Layla quickly packed some snacks and water.

"We'll take my car. Dexter is waiting downstairs," Finnian offered.

Kaia didn't argue. She grabbed the tote bag while Brynlee happily held Finnian's hand, skipping toward the door.

Watching her daughter's pure joy brought a suffocating wave of despair over Kaia. These moments were about to disappear forever. She couldn't bear to think about it.

During the drive, Brynlee chattered non-stop, and Finnian played along perfectly. The atmosphere between father and daughter was warm, but Kaia remained entirely silent. Whenever Finnian turned to answer Brynlee, his gaze would drift over to Kaia, studying her distant expression. Kaia simply stared out the window.

Finnian felt the visceral rejection in her reaction. His gaze darkened. Before things had deteriorated between them, they had been physically comfortable with one another. Now, she treated the briefest physical contact like he was a plague. His jaw tightened, and the warmth drained from his eyes.

Oblivious to the sudden chill between her parents, Brynlee wiggled down to walk. She grabbed both their hands, swinging them happily as she dragged them toward the next exhibit. Kaia maintained her composure for her daughter's sake.

To the onlookers, they looked like a stunningly perfect family.

They eventually wandered into a room displaying dinosaur egg fossils. Brynlee leaned against the glass in awe.

"Mommy, are those baby dinosaurs?"

"Yes, sweetheart."

"Did they have mommies and daddies too?"

Kaia paused.

Finnian crouched beside his daughter. "In the prehistoric era, dinosaur parents would protect these eggs until they hatched, and then they'd take care of them as they grew up."