What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 413

"Grandmother, I didn't, I really didn't... Even if you gave me all the courage in the world, I wouldn't dare." Noelle's hidden motives had been laid bare by Josephine, and she began to tremble violently. In truth, that had been exactly her plan—she wanted to keep her claws in both exceptional men.

Finnian looked at Noelle in shock before turning back, his brow furrowing deeply in defense. "Grandmother, handing Aethelstan over to Noelle wasn't my personal decision. Rafael brought it up with me before he died. He said Aethelstan was his to manage, and if anything ever happened to him, I was to leave it in Noelle's hands."

Hearing Finnian say this, Noelle jolted violently, her head snapping up to stare at him. How could she not have known about this?

He had placed Aethelstan in her hands—wasn't that his own romantic gesture? How did it suddenly turn into Rafael's dying wish?

Josephine's frown deepened, and she let out a frustrated scoff. "If that was truly Rafael's intention, then you should have made it clear to the rest of the family! You acted entirely on your own, handing a massive company like Aethelstan over to an outsider. How did you expect us to feel secure about that?"

The word "outsider" struck Noelle like a jagged knife straight to the chest, leaving her in agonizing pain.

She cursed the old woman violently in her mind. *I've lived with the Sanders family for eighteen years, and you still treat me like an outsider. Kaia has only been married into this family for seven, and you treat her like blood. It's so unfair.*

Her chest tightened as she forced a tearful, innocent look. "Grandmother, I'm so sorry for causing this misunderstanding. I've only ever respected and admired Finnian. I don't harbor any of those inappropriate feelings you're suggesting. The Sanders family has been so good to me, and I've always been profoundly grateful..."

Josephine had been ready to hurl even harsher insults, but the moment the words left Finnian's mouth, she froze. A second later, she shot up from her chair. "What did you just say?"

Finnian finally laid out the entire truth. "You've completely misunderstood her. She has absolutely no romantic feelings for me. Not too long ago, she traveled to Canada. Three years ago, she and Rafael had embryos frozen at a hospital in Canada. The transfer was a success. Her recent hospital visits were entirely due to severe morning sickness from the pregnancy."

"Is this true?" Josephine's gaze snapped to Noelle, instantly filling with utter disbelief.

Panic seized Noelle. Seizing the opportunity, she crumpled to the floor in tears, looking up with a devastated expression. "Grandmother, my heart belongs entirely to Rafael. I would never entertain feelings for anyone else. Perhaps some of my actions over the past few months were easily misunderstood, but please believe me—I was just so terrified and lost after suddenly losing the husband who loved me most. I was desperate for comfort, nothing more. I only have this family left. Whenever I was heartbroken or ran into trouble, my first instinct was to ask Finnian for help because he's the only one capable of handling it..."