What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 52

"Finnian!" Miles strode over to greet him.

Finnian raised his glass and clinked it against Miles's. "I didn't see you come in. When did you get here?"

"Just a little while ago," Miles said, taking a sip of his drink. "My cousin loves a crowd. He throws a massive party like this every year for his birthday."

Finnian smiled. "It just shows he's got great connections and makes friends easily."

Miles nodded. "Yeah, I definitely can't compete with him when it comes to socializing. Where's Kaia? I haven't seen her."

Finnian's smile didn't falter. "Brynlee has an arts and crafts class tonight. Kaia took her."

Miles nodded, his deep gaze shifting to where Noelle was laughing with the crowd not too far away.

Coincidentally, Noelle had her head tilted, listening to someone whisper, and her bright, watery eyes happened to look in their direction. Seeing Miles watching her, she blinked playfully in acknowledgment.

Without missing a beat, Miles offered a polite smile in return.

Halfway through the party, Julian jumped onto the stage to give a short thank-you speech, signaling the start of the cake-cutting.

Holding his slice, Julian suddenly felt something cold on his cheek. He realized Noelle had swiped a dollop of frosting on his face, just like she used to do.

"Oh, it is on. Noelle, don't move," Julian said, his easygoing nature instantly sparking into playful retaliation.

Giggling, Noelle immediately darted behind Finnian, holding onto his arm and breathless from laughing. "I didn't mean to! Don't be so serious!"

"No way..." Julian feigned a fierce glare. "We do this every year. I've let you off the hook before, but not tonight."

"Finnian, save me..." Noelle grabbed Finnian's arm amid her laughter.

Seeing the photo set, Kaia felt as if a hand had clamped around her heart, making every breath heavy.

"Mom, look at the little people I made!" Right then, Brynlee ran over, her tiny hands covered in flour, holding three dough figures. "This is Dad. He's the biggest. This is Mom. Mom has long hair. And this is me... I'm the smallest."

Kaia's chest felt like it was packed with cotton, suffocatingly tight.

"They look wonderful, Brynlee. You did such a great job." Kaia kissed her flour-dusted cheek. "Go take them to get baked. I bet they'll smell amazing."

"Okay!" Brynlee nodded happily and handed them over to the teacher for baking.

Ten minutes later, Brynlee brought her freshly baked little bread figures to Kaia. "Mom, try a piece."

Without a second thought, Kaia picked up the bread figure meant to represent Finnian and bit its head clean off.