What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 398

The words hit Finnian hard. He hadn't fully processed the harsh realities of the situation himself. He had only focused on the comfort of knowing Rafael's legacy would survive, without confronting the massive logistical and emotional toll of raising fatherless children.

"Earlier, I saw a little girl in the next room trip and fall. She was crying so hard, but her dad just crouched down next to her, comforting her, encouraging her, teaching her how to handle the pain and avoid getting hurt again. If my babies fall... if they hit a wall... who is going to teach them to be brave? Who will help them overcome it?" Tears rolled silently down Noelle's cheeks as she brilliantly weaponized her anxieties about the future.

Finnian fell silent. It was a brutal, very real obstacle that couldn't be ignored.

"Don't worry. They won't just have you. They have an entire family. If you're ever struggling to guide them, I'll be there to help. Mom will be there, Grandmother will be there. We will all make sure they grow up strong. You aren't doing this alone," Finnian offered, struggling to find the perfect words. But seeing the sheer terror and despair in her eyes convinced him she needed absolute reassurance to keep moving forward.

"I know... I know you'll help. But I'm still... I'm just not ready to be a single mother. Finnian, I'm terrified. I'm so scared that instead of loving them, I'm just setting them up for a lifetime of pain." Noelle looked utterly defeated, burying her face in her arms as her voice dissolved into a pathetic, broken whisper.

"Noelle, please stop crying. We'll figure this out together. I promise you, you won't be raising them alone. You have family." Terrified that her distress would trigger another medical scare, Finnian leaned in closer. "Hey, look at me. It's okay. The doctor said you need to stay calm. For the babies' sake, you have to be strong."

Knowing exactly when to pull back, Noelle wiped her tears away and nodded meekly. "Thank you, Finnian. Thank you for always knowing what to say. When I'm spiraling, just having you here makes all the fear disappear."

As she sniffled, Finnian grabbed a tissue and gently handed it to her. "Dry your eyes. Stop letting your imagination run wild, and just focus on resting."

Wiping her face, Noelle asked softly, "Finnian, how are things at the company? What's the latest with Cytogene?"

Seeing no reason to hide it, Finnian told her about the upcoming business trip to Europe with Kaia.

Noelle froze, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Finnian, since the project has already been handed over to Veridian, and Kaia is more than capable of leading the charge, shouldn't you feel comfortable letting her handle it? Could you... maybe stay behind?"

Finnian was caught off guard, a slight frown touching his lips. "This is strictly business. Even with Kaia as the lead, Cytogene expects me there to finalize the details. I have to go."

Seeing her act so incredibly reasonable and accommodating sent a sharp pang of guilt through Finnian's chest. She had once been the treasured jewel of the Sanders family, Rafael's fiercely protected wife, and a sister he had watched grow into a resilient woman. And now, she was facing a future as a single mother, struggling to balance two babies and a demanding career. It felt as though fate had handed her all the sweetness in life early on, only to force-feed her pure misery now.

"If anything happens, call me immediately," Finnian instructed before turning to leave.

"I will. Have a safe flight. I hope you and Kaia bring back a massive victory," Noelle smiled warmly, sounding completely sincere.

Finnian nodded. The second he stepped into the hallway, he dialed Elaine's number. "Mom, where are you? I need to see you right now. It's an absolute emergency."

"I'm at the spa with the girls," Elaine replied lazily. "Just tell me over the phone."

"Mom, my flight leaves at three. I can't explain this over the phone. I'm coming to you right now," Finnian said, his tone dead serious.