"Mom, you didn't have to wait out here for me," Noelle said, her voice dripping with affectionate reliance.
Elaine's heart ached for her. Knowing Josephine had deliberately excluded Noelle from the group chat made Elaine furious. If Noelle ever found out the old woman viewed her as an outsider, it would crush her.
"It's nothing. I heard your car and wanted to come out," Elaine said gently.
Noelle offered a sweet, demure smile and followed Elaine into the living room, taking a seat on the plush sofa.
"Is Finnian here?" Noelle asked casually, wrapping her hands around a glass of water.
Elaine glanced toward the second floor. "He went straight up to his study as soon as he got here. Probably working."
"Did Brynlee come with him?" Noelle asked, feigning innocent concern.
"Yes, she followed him up. That little girl seems even more attached to her parents after their trip." Elaine had noticed the shift too. When she had tried to hug her granddaughter earlier, Brynlee had squirmed away after a second, desperate to follow Finnian upstairs.
A shadow passed over Noelle's eyes.
So that was Kaia's game. Using the child to bridge the gap and save her failing marriage.
And of course, a smart kid like Brynlee knew exactly how to play the mediator to keep her parents together.
The thought made Noelle's blood boil.
"Here, try this premium green tea. I just bought it," Elaine offered, reaching for a delicate teapot.
"Oh, no thank you, Mom," Noelle said quickly. "I've had so much coffee today. If I drink tea now, I'll never get to sleep."
Elaine's face filled with pity. "You need to cut back on the caffeine, honey. If you're tired, just rest."
"I know. Thanks, Mom," Noelle replied, playing the obedient daughter perfectly.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage
Please update soon. This story is good. And I'm hoping it won't go till 2000 chapters.. Although it's current slow pace is telling....