What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 326

She stared up at the imposing wooden plaque above the entrance: Serenity Monastery, the characters carved with commanding strokes.

Because it wasn't a major holiday, the temple grounds were relatively empty.

Noelle crossed the threshold and walked into the main hall, looking up at the serene, towering statues. Their compassionate eyes seemed to gaze down at the struggles of the mortal world.

She stepped to the side, acquired her offerings, and stood before the altar in quiet reflection.

She closed her eyes, bringing her hands together.

She stood there for a long time, the resentment and exhaustion building in her chest over the past few weeks finally finding a release.

When her legs grew stiff, she heard someone enter the hall behind her. She placed her floral tributes on the altar, bowed her head one last time, and turned to find the temple groundskeeper to secure a room for the night.

She had just stepped into the courtyard toward the guest quarters when heavy footsteps echoed behind her.

"Noelle! I knew you'd be here," a deep, anxious voice called out.

She froze at the sound of that familiar voice. Closing her eyes, a triumphant smile curved her lips.

By the time she turned around, her expression was perfectly arranged into one of shock.

Finnian stood beneath an ancient locust tree a few yards away, chest heaving from the rapid climb. Sweat clung to his jawline. Dexter and the bodyguards trailed slightly behind him.

"Finnian..." Noelle gasped, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

Finnian frowned, closing the distance between them with long strides. "Why did you come up here alone? Did you forget what happened last time?"

Noelle let out a soft, dismissive laugh. "That was just bad luck. I can't possibly run into a crisis every time I leave the house."

"But what if you did?" Finnian demanded, his voice thick with frustration. "If something happened to you, what would we do?"

Noelle instantly looked incredibly guilty, playing the part of a scolded child. "I'm sorry, Finnian. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I just... I needed to breathe. It's so quiet here, so far away from all the noise."

Finnian nodded slowly. "I know you're under a lot of pressure, but you should have told someone. At the very least, you needed a bodyguard."

The tension in Noelle's chest completely vanished.

She reached out and grabbed his arm, pouting exactly as she did when they were teenagers. "Well, since you're already here, why don't you be my bodyguard? Stay with me. We can eat the temple food, find some peace, and forget about the rest of the world for a bit."

Kaia and Simon had obviously planned this together. He knew Simon's sister lived in Switzerland, yet Simon had brought his daughter back to their city, enrolling her in the exact same school as Brynlee, ensuring the two girls became inseparable.

Was that a coincidence?

Hardly. It was a calculated, long-term manipulation.

"I need to make sure Brynlee is safe. I'm sorry, Noelle, but I can't stay," Finnian said firmly. He turned to the men behind him. "Logan, you and the others stay here and guard Ms. Lawrence."

"Understood, Boss," Logan replied sharply.

A flash of intense disappointment crossed Noelle's eyes, but she masked it in an instant.

She remembered the last time Finnian had visited her on the cruise ship. When the matriarch found out, she immediately shoved Noelle into a terrifying arranged courtship with that pig, Martin Rhodes, practically dragging her to the altar.

If Finnian stayed with her at the temple, the matriarch would eventually find out. That crazy old woman would probably drug her and dump her in some executive's bed to prevent a scandal. It was entirely too risky.

Noelle needed to maintain her flawless, untouchable reputation. Aside from the late Rafael, she could never be seen crossing the line with any man. It was the only leverage she had left to secure her future.

"Of course. You should go, Finnian," she said warmly, taking a step back. "Kaia must be exhausted traveling alone with Brynlee. Hurry up and go to them."