What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 39

Kaia completely ignored him, lifting her daughter into a chair.

Amara brought breakfast over, and the mother and daughter ate in silence.

"I'll take Brynlee to school today." Finnian had already finished eating and was elegantly dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

Kaia simply gave a single nod. That was the extent of their conversation.

Brynlee's big, dark eyes darted back and forth between them. Finally, she asked in a small voice, "Daddy, Mommy... are you guys giving each other the silent treatment?"

God knows where the little girl had picked up a phrase like "silent treatment."

Kaia and Finnian answered at the exact same time. "No."

Amara, who was over by the liquor cabinet polishing glasses, stopped and looked over at the dining table.

She finally realized the atmosphere was incredibly weird today.

Normally, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders would be chatting away by now, either about work or the kid. It was never this dead silent.

"Then why aren't you talking to each other?" Brynlee propped her chin on her little hand, her big eyes blinking rapidly. "You guys haven't really said anything to each other since last night."

Kaia took a sip of her soup and bit into her breakfast roll. "Mommy is just thinking about some things."

Finnian's dark eyes swept across her face before he said gently, "Brynlee, are you done eating? Let's head to school."

"Okay!" Brynlee nodded. She hopped down from her chair, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on Kaia's cheek. "Mommy, Daddy and I are leaving now! Take your time eating!"

Kaia felt a warm rush in her chest. Her daughter had always been incredibly sweet and perceptive. She hadn't even hit that terrible rebellious phase yet; she was just obedient and endlessly lovable.

"Okay!" Kaia held her bowl, watching her daughter head to the door to get in the car.

Finnian gave Kaia one last look before opening the car door and helping Brynlee inside.

Watching the black Bentley drive away, Kaia felt a dull ache behind her eyes.

She wasn't surprised by how violently fast Finnian had moved. To keep Noelle, to openly defy Josephine's orders, establishing Noelle's unquestionable authority within the conglomerate was the only way to anchor her to his side.

The whispers and commotion spreading through the open office were like a dark undercurrent, moving rapidly.

The looks people shot Kaia were filled with pity, morbid curiosity, and from more than a few, pure, gloating amusement.

Kaia had barely entertained the thought of crushing her widowed sister-in-law when her own husband publicly backhanded her with his corporate authority.

This was more entertaining than a prime-time soap opera.

The title of 'Mrs. Sanders' had officially become a total joke.

When Laura saw the news, she couldn't believe her eyes.

It was only when she received an official meeting invite that she finally knocked on Kaia's door, her eyes red.

"Dr. Chavez, I just got copied on a meeting invite from the CEO's office. At 2 PM today, the new Executive GM is hosting her first operational alignment meeting. All R&D managers and above are required to attend..."