What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 37

"So, you're hijacking the Sanders family's resources to pave her way, legitimize her status, and knowingly plant a ticking time bomb in your own management structure, all just to give her an excuse to stay?" Kaia spoke slowly, her voice dropping a few degrees colder.

"Yes," Finnian answered without a shred of hesitation.

"Fine." Kaia accepted his obsessive devotion to his sister-in-law.

Hearing her agree, Finnian visibly exhaled, relieved.

"But besides the equity compensation, I have two more conditions," Kaia said, her voice terrifyingly lucid, both hands gripping the steering wheel perfectly still.

"Alright, let's hear them." Finnian was genuinely surprised.

Kaia had never been the type to fight or claw for things. Her personality was like water—calm, yielding, yet incredibly strong. It was the trait he admired most about her.

He figured whatever she was asking for wouldn't be too unreasonable.

Finnian had been drinking, and he waited for Kaia to list her demands. When she stayed completely silent, he simply closed his eyes to rest.

When they pulled up to the villa, Brynlee was sitting on the front steps again, huddled in a little jacket. She was holding a plastic magic wand, clicking it on and off, over and over, until she saw the headlights of the car. Her face lit up in an instant, her eyes sparkling as she jumped to her feet.

Kaia parked the car. She had barely unbuckled when Finnian opened his door and stepped out before her.

"Daddy! Why did you ride in Mommy's car?" Brynlee happily threw herself into Finnian's arms.

"Daddy had a little to drink," Finnian said gently.

"Daddy, you're not allowed to drink anymore!" Brynlee scolded him like a strict little adult, poking his shoulder with her finger. "You have to be good, understand?"

Finnian laughed and agreed. "Okay, I'll drink less next time."

Kaia watched father and daughter chat happily as they walked toward the living room. It felt as if she was being roasted over an open flame, completely consumed by a crushing sense of powerlessness.

Kaia ignored the bait and said flatly, "There is absolutely zero margin for error with her condition. I'm just doing what a mother is supposed to do. You, on the other hand, forgot to put her watch on her the other day. You're the one who needs to rethink things."

Finnian's handsome face froze before guilt quickly set in. "You're right. That was my fault. I won't forget next time."

"Mommy, don't yell at Daddy. He didn't mean it." Brynlee hated it when her parents fought. Even at her age, she was incredibly sensitive to their moods. The second she heard their voices get heavy, she jumped in to mediate.

Kaia looked at her desperately thoughtful daughter, then at her entirely thoughtless husband, and felt totally exhausted.

"Brynlee, come upstairs with Mommy. I'll give you a bath and put you to bed." Kaia took her daughter's tiny hand and led her upstairs.

Finnian followed them. "What were those two conditions you mentioned earlier?"

Kaia, holding onto her daughter's soft little fingers, felt her heart seize. "I'll tell you when I'm ready."