What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 385

Dr. Linnea Jensen?

Kaia not only knew of her, but they were actually quite familiar with each other. However, Kaia had no intention of asking Linnea for details about Noelle. As a doctor, Linnea's position was sensitive; if anything went wrong, it could ruin her career.

Jane brought out a plate of washed fruit. Seeing Kaia sitting rigidly in her chair, she walked over, her heart aching. "Kaia, how are things between you two?"

Kaia knew her mother was deeply worried. She answered honestly, "We're just playing the roles of parents. Privately, we don't interact anymore."

"Sigh. How did it come to this?" Jane said, overwhelmed with sadness.

"Mom, don't be sad. Divorce isn't a bad thing. We're just maintaining the facade for Brynlee's sake until she's better," Kaia said softly.

"I know, I just... does he know you used to have a crush on him?" Jane looked at her daughter's hollow gaze, feeling her heart break. Kaia had fallen for Finnian at first sight. Uprooting an affection that deep was like draining her own blood.

"Mom, I don't want him to know. There's no point anymore." Kaia hoped to keep that a secret for the rest of her life.

"You're right, there's no point. Otherwise, he might just humiliate you during the divorce. It's not worth it," Jane agreed, supporting her decision.

Kaia let out a bitter laugh. "Loving someone is my own business. It doesn't matter if he never knew."

Seeing her daughter feign such nonchalance broke Jane's heart.

She said gently, "Before you got married, I told you to be a good daughter-in-law to the Sanders family and take care of your husband. I told you that marriage is full of bumps, that you should just endure it, compromise, and things would get better. Now I regret ever saying those things. I wonder how much of it you took to heart."

Kaia paused, a lump instantly forming in her throat as her eyes welled with tears.

Jane choked up as well. "I see it clearly now. There are some things you shouldn't endure, and you should never back down."

Kaia reached out and gripped her mother's arm tightly, leaning her head against her. "Mom, don't cry. You should be glad I'm pulling myself out of the mud."

Jane stroked her hair, her voice tender. "We don't cause trouble, but we aren't afraid of it either. When you're divorced, if you want to come home for dinner, come home. If you don't, we'll all go out to eat. I just want you to be happy. I can't stand seeing you bullied."

Kaia smiled through her tears and nodded. "Okay. Then I might just mooch off you every single day. Don't complain when I do."

"Silly girl. You've never caused me a day of worry in your life. Why would I ever complain?" Jane had always been incredibly proud of Kaia.

Kaia hummed in agreement. Jane didn't say anything more. She picked up a watering can and went to tend to the flowers in the yard.

Kaia rested her arms on the back of her chair, gazing up at the brilliant blue sky, then at her mother's back. She suddenly noticed a slight stoop in her mother's posture.

A dull ache pulsed in her chest.

By the time they left, it was dark. Kaia was heading back with Finnian. As Jane and Warren walked them to the door, both of their eyes were red. Kaia kept her head down, unable to look at her parents.

When they got into the car, he reached over and brushed her fingers. Her face instantly flushed scarlet. Her eyes, bright as stars, were filled with reluctance to leave her family and hope for the future. That night, Kaia had looked breathtakingly beautiful.

In that split second, he almost deluded himself into thinking she had agreed to marry him because she actually had feelings for him.

The very next day, they signed the separation agreement. The cold, black-and-white text slammed him right back to reality.

Half a month later, they were officially married.

His phone buzzed with a text from Noelle. She asked what he was doing, then said she wanted to transfer hospitals first thing in the morning because her doctor, Linnea Jensen, was Kaia's friend. She needed his help to arrange it.

Finnian stared blankly at the screen before typing a simple "Okay."

Outside, the night grew darker. Seven years had passed since that spring day.

Finnian was surprised by how vividly he remembered meeting her parents. He had always thought of it as an insignificant, easily forgotten memory. He hadn't thought about it once in seven years.

The shy Kaia, who used to bury her blushing face into his chest, seemed to have vanished forever.