What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 328

Celine immediately stood at attention, wrapping an arm around Kaia's shoulders with an exaggerated, sycophantic grin. "Kaia, you know me! I'm just a hopeless romantic fighting for justice."

Kaia wasn't actually angry at her friend's aggressive matchmaking. She patted Celine's arm. "I'm joking. Sit down and have some coffee."

"Brynlee, sweetie, what do you want to eat? Tell me and I'll buy you whatever you want!" Celine dragged Brynlee toward the pastry counter, eager to escape Kaia's gaze.

Watching Celine overcompensate made Kaia laugh. Best friends were built to be teased.

Still smiling, she turned back and locked eyes with Simon. The sudden, intense eye contact felt like a jolt of electricity, surging straight through her nervous system.

Kaia instinctively looked down, her fingers twisting together in her lap.

Simon's ears burned. He cleared his throat and quickly stood up. "I'll go check on those drinks."

"Okay," Kaia nodded quickly.

The three adults eventually settled at a table outside, basking in the brilliant sunshine and taking in the stunning Swiss architecture. The conversation flowed effortlessly, full of easy laughter. The stress and crushing weight of their lives back home felt entirely miles away.

After they finished their coffee, Simon politely excused himself so they could settle into their room.

Kaia and Celine took Brynlee for a stroll down the picturesque streets.

Celine bumped Kaia's shoulder, whispering conspiratorially, "So? How did I do? Flawless execution, right?"

Kaia just looked at her, shaking her head with a weary smile.

Spotting a souvenir cart ahead, Brynlee bolted forward to inspect the toys. Seeing they were out of earshot, Celine dropped the joke, looking slightly guilty. "Look, I'm sorry. I know you aren't ready for this. But honestly, you two are so incredibly well-matched—intellectually, visually, everything. He is lightyears better than that absolute bastard you married. He's single, you're about to be single. He clearly loves kids, and you have Brynlee. His character is impeccable, and his family's standing speaks for itself."

Kaia stopped walking. She looked at her daughter inspecting a wooden clock down the street. Her voice was incredibly soft. "Celine, I really don't have the mental energy for romance right now."

Seeing the deep, bruised exhaustion in Kaia's eyes broke Celine's heart.

"I know Finnian destroyed your trust in men," Celine said gently. "But you can't let one toxic mistake force you to lock up your heart forever. It isn't fair to you."

Celine pointed a thumb at her own chest. "My ex finally signed the papers two days ago. My divorce certificate is practically still warm from the printer, and I'm already looking for my next adventure. I'm here for a good time, and I don't care what anyone thinks. If I meet someone amazing, I'm absolutely going for it."

Touched by her friend's fierce, protective loyalty, Kaia let out a soft sigh. "Alright. I'll let things happen naturally."

Celine's face lit up like a spotlight. "Deal! We are having dinner together tonight. Both families."

After walking for another hour, they returned to the hotel. Brynlee grabbed Celine's phone and immediately video-called Anna.

The two little girls spent thirty minutes holding toys up to the camera, giggling hysterically.

Kaia sat on the balcony, soaking up the afternoon sun. She realized something fundamental had shifted inside her.

"Everyone talks about the seven-year itch. You just said it yourself—it's been seven years." Finnian's voice grew freezing cold. "Maybe I'm just a spectacular failure of a husband, and she finally got sick of it."

"But... she always seemed so devoted to you," Dexter observed honestly.

"Women are brilliant actors. They can fake devotion when they feel absolutely nothing." Finnian locked eyes with his assistant. "Dexter, if you woke up one day and realized you were nothing but a stepping stone—a convenient tool for someone else's ambition—how would you feel?"

Dexter froze, deeply uncomfortable. "Boss, my girlfriend and I aren't even engaged yet. That's way above my pay grade."

Finnian didn't press him, but a cynical smile twisted his lips. "Forget it. We used each other. Neither of us holds the moral high ground. But you're right about one thing. A divorce is terrible for the company, and it's terrible for me. So... I'm not going to let it happen."

Dexter's jaw nearly unhinged. Finnian was going to hold the signed agreement hostage?

"But she's so fiercely independent. What if she gets impatient and takes you to court?" Dexter warned.

"She won't," Finnian stated, his tone shifting into the cold, calculated cadence of a ruthless CEO. "She uses that threat to corner me, but she will never drag this into a public courtroom. Because she wants to protect Brynlee."

Dexter stared at him, chilled by how effortlessly his boss weaponized the people he loved.

By the time the jet touched down, night had fallen.

A sleek black Maybach waited on the tarmac. As soon as Finnian slid into the back seat, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did you find out where she's staying?"