What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 395

Elaine bristled instantly at the accusation, her face darkening as she leveled a glare at Jane. "Jane, what kind of nonsense is that? Finnian and Noelle are family. Why wouldn't they attend events together?"

Jane didn't back down for a second, firing right back. "Kaia and Mr. Sanders work together. It's perfectly normal for colleagues to attend an event. Since when is it illegal to hang out with your boss on a Saturday?"

"You're just making ridiculous excuses," Elaine sneered.

Finnian finally intervened. "Mom, let it go. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Kaia and Silas attending this together."

Elaine choked on her indignation, shooting her son a look of sheer betrayal.

Kaia crouched down to Brynlee's eye level. "Sweetheart, let's head out. Grandma and I are going to take you shopping. How does that sound?"

Brynlee's face lit up immediately. "Yes! Let's go!"

Finnian reluctantly stepped back, allowing Kaia to take their daughter's hand. Standing this close, he finally absorbed the full impact of her appearance today. It was a stark departure from her usual professional attire—she possessed a captivating, sophisticated allure that was entirely irresistible.

Silas spoke up smoothly. "Mrs. Sanders, Finnian, I'll go ahead and escort Kaia and the others out."

Finnian's gaze hardened as it landed on Silas. "Appreciate it."

"It's my pleasure." Silas easily caught the heavy warning in Finnian's eyes, but he brushed it off without a second thought.

Noelle stood silently off to the side, her chest tight with stifling frustration.

She had come to the auction solely for that jade statue, only to have Kaia swoop in and snatch it right from under her. She was walking away with nothing.

The realization gnawed at her, fueling a restless, irritable energy. Even with Finnian lingering by her side instead of rushing off with Kaia, she still felt a terrifying lack of security.

"Mom, let's head home," Noelle said softly, looping her arm through Elaine's with practiced gentleness.

Elaine still looked furious. She was deeply unsettled by Kaia's recent shift in demeanor. Not only was Kaia colder than ever, but Jane was also becoming fiercely confrontational. Elaine felt as though she, the powerful matriarch, was being blatantly disrespected.

This complete loss of control infuriated her.

If it weren't for Brynlee being Kaia's Achilles' heel, she would have slapped him with the divorce papers and walked away without looking back a long time ago.

Noelle maintained her demure silence. In Elaine's eyes, this restraint proved Noelle was sensible, respectful, and fully grasped her place—a true model of the ideal woman.

Halfway home, Finnian had Dexter pull up in another car to pick him up. Watching the distinct flash of dejection in Finnian's eyes as he left, Noelle felt a knot of pure anxiety tighten in her stomach.

"Noelle, promise me you won't turn out like Kaia. A deeply arrogant, career-obsessed woman like her could never be a good wife. All she cares about is competition, ambition, and success, and look what happens—she gives birth to a child with a heart defect. Good heavens, when will the Sanders family finally be blessed with a healthy baby? It's becoming my worst nightmare," Elaine complained loudly the second Finnian's car pulled away.

A sudden spark flared in Noelle's otherwise dull eyes. Stealing a quick glance at Elaine's frustrated expression, she asked softly, "Mom, do you really want another grandchild that badly?"

Elaine answered without missing a beat. "As long as it carries the Sanders bloodline, of course I do. Brynlee is sweet, but girls always cling to their mothers. She's drifting further and further away from me."

Noelle nodded empathetically. "Kaia spends the most time with her, so it's only natural she'd bond closely with her. A daughter will always gravitate toward her own mother."

Elaine looked at Noelle with a wave of profound sorrow. "If only you had managed to have Rafael's child sooner. I wouldn't be agonizing over this every single day. Noelle, you spent all those years fighting for your career. Do you ever regret it now?"