What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 393

"We definitely need to be careful. Let's hope he isn't quite that shameless," Kaia agreed, resolving to stay vigilant regarding her career.

"Josephine's seventieth birthday is coming up. My parents are already sorting out a gift. Have you prepared anything yet?" Silas asked, glancing over at her.

Josephine had always treated Kaia well. A while back, a few nosy relatives had constantly compared Kaia to Noelle, whispering that Kaia didn't know how to play the social game or win over the elders. Josephine had reprimanded them right then and there. That incident had left a deep impression on the entire family, and ever since, no one dared to speak ill of Kaia in public.

Kaia was actually quite stressed about the upcoming birthday. She knew Josephine was a devout Buddhist who loved religious artifacts, but she had absolutely no idea what specifically to buy.

"This Saturday, there's the Autumn Auction at The Cultural Center. I checked the catalog, and the grand finale is an Imperial Jade Statue. The photos look absolutely pristine. Josephine would probably love it, though the bidding might get steep. Interested?"

Kaia realized she was free this Saturday. She could bring her mother and Brynlee along to the auction.

"Sounds perfect. Could you get me three tickets? I'm free on Saturday," Kaia nodded.

"No problem at all. Consider it done," Silas smiled, a flicker of private delight flashing in his eyes at her quick agreement.

That evening, Silas sent her a few messages with detailed information about the jade statue.

It was a Imperial Jade Statue, standing about twenty inches tall, entirely a rich, translucent green, with breathtaking craftsmanship. The estimated value hovered between twelve and twenty million dollars.

Kaia zoomed in on the image of the jade figure. The Buddha's eyes were lowered in quiet, compassionate tranquility.

Gazing at it, Kaia felt an unexpected sense of peace wash over her, as if the fleeting joys and sorrows of the world were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Over the next few days, Kaia avoided contacting Finnian unless absolutely necessary.

Finnian followed suit, steering clear of her completely.

Noelle had been moved to a new hospital under a new doctor. Kaia guessed this was Finnian's doing; since Dr. Linnea Jensen was Kaia's friend, Finnian likely realized that keeping Noelle there could compromise her privacy.

Saturday arrived in a blur of work and meetings.

Kaia and Jane waited near the entrance of their community with Brynlee. Silas's luxury SUV arrived right on time to pick them up.

Kaia was wearing a pale pink traditional gown that Jane had bought for her, insisting she wear it. Unable to say no to her mother, Kaia had styled her hair up, securing it with a simple jade hairpin, and wore matching emerald stud earrings.

She looked elegantly understated, exuding a serene, almost otherworldly beauty.

"But..."

Silas glanced over. Finnian was seated, wearing a black face mask that obscured his features so completely that only his inner circle would recognize him. Elaine and Noelle sat beside him, engaged in a low-voiced conversation. Elaine was smiling, while Noelle, dressed in a loose, cream-colored maxi dress, leaned in attentively.

Silas quickly looked back at Kaia, only to see that she had already torn her gaze away from them.

"Want to head over and say hello?" Silas asked quietly.

"No need," Kaia replied, her voice perfectly level. "Let's just go inside and find our seats."

Brynlee rested her head on Jane's shoulder, staring blankly at her father and grandmother in the distance. Confusion was written all over her little face; she couldn't understand why her grandma Jane wouldn't let her go see her dad.

Silas had reserved seats in a quieter section near the corner. Jane cast a sympathetic look at her daughter, knowing full well that Kaia's indifference was just a shield. Inside, she had to be hurting.

*What a tangled mess,* Jane thought with a sigh.

Brynlee was given a bag of healthy snacks and sat quietly between her mother and grandmother, munching away. Strangely enough, even though she had seen her father and Elaine, she felt much safer staying right here with Kaia and Jane.