What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 344

"I hear your concerns, Mr. Sanders, and I'll keep them in mind," Simon replied, his tone steadying. "But I have a question for you. In the past seven years, did you ever bother to ask if she was actually happy?"

Finnian froze.

Simon pressed the advantage over the line. "As her husband, if you had given her enough care, security, and love, no outsider would even have a chance to take her out. Sometimes, you shouldn't just blame other people. You should probably take a hard look at your own problems."

"Are you lecturing me?" Finnian spat, his voice dropping to a dangerous register.

"I wouldn't dare. Just giving you a friendly reminder," Simon countered smoothly.

"Noted," Finnian snapped, ending the call.

Dexter watched his boss's face grow even darker. It seemed Finnian had just lost his second argument of the night.

"Let's go get a drink," Finnian muttered, turning to Dexter.

"Right away, sir."

At the bar, a foreign, suffocating emotion gripped Finnian's chest. He stared down at his sparkling drink, realizing the ugly truth: this was pure, unadulterated possessiveness.

He knew his attachment to Kaia over the past seven years was built entirely on habit.

He was used to her revolving around him. He was used to her steering Aethelstan Biopharma to the top of the industry. He was used to her flawless execution as a mother and her unwavering devotion to him as a husband.

Now that she had abruptly severed that routine, the withdrawal was agonizing. Human beings were creatures of habit, and losing this one made him feel utterly lost and inexplicably furious.

Seven years of absolute certainty, gone in the blink of an eye.

"Boss, you should slow down. Brynlee might come looking for you soon," Dexter cautioned as Finnian signaled for another round, deliberately using his daughter to break the spiral.

Only his daughter had the power to pull him back from the edge. Finnian tapped his knuckles against the table. "Close the tab. I'm tired."

Dexter quickly paid the bill and escorted Finnian back up to the penthouse suite. Just as expected, Brynlee's little head poked out from Kaia's doorway.

Seeing her father, she rushed over. "Dad! You went drinking again? You're being bad!"

The alcohol was finally hitting Finnian's system, making his steps heavy. Knowing he shouldn't pick her up, he knelt down carefully. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Go back to Mom. Dad's head is spinning a bit."

"Ugh, bad daddy! I told you to stop drinking, but you never listen. Now you can't even play with me," Brynlee huffed, crossing her arms in irritation.

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