What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 597

Finnian no longer had any desire to oppose his grandmother's decisions. He had been blinded by lies before, but now that he saw the truth, he knew her ruthlessness was entirely justified.

By late December, festive red lanterns adorned the city streets, and the shopping malls played an endless loop of cheerful holiday music.

Finnian took a two-week vacation for the holidays. In the past, he would have flown the family to a tropical resort to escape the winter chill for a few days.

But this time, he stayed right where he was. He took over the morning drop-offs and evening pick-ups for Brynlee. Brynlee happily declared that Daddy loved her even more now, proving that supporting the divorce was the best decision ever.

Hearing that, Finnian could only offer a bitter, speechless smile.

If even a child thought his separation from Kaia was a net positive, then maybe it really was for the best.

While spending time with his daughter, he managed to catch a few fleeting glimpses of Kaia. She would rush over to the villa after work to pick Brynlee up and leave just as quickly. Even when he asked her to stay for dinner, she always claimed she didn't have time. Finnian wasn't stupid; he knew exactly what that meant.

"No time" meant she had zero desire to eat with him or even be in the same room as him.

Finnian stood in the doorway, watching the Mercedes taillights disappear into the night.

A few days later, Finnian took Brynlee to a Lantern Festival in a nearby historic town. The little girl rode on his shoulders, a detail of bodyguards trailing behind them. She pointed excitedly at every new trinket she saw, demanding to buy them all.

Finnian touched her exposed little hands and felt how icy they were. He quickly rubbed them between his warm palms and tried to coax her down, offering to carry her in his arms so she'd be warmer.

Brynlee stubbornly refused, wiggling her little waist and demanding to stay up high so she could see everything.

Unable to win the argument, Finnian let her have her way. She playfully clamped her freezing little hands over his ears, and Finnian couldn't help but laugh.

As dusk fell, he dropped Brynlee off at Kaia's apartment. Kaia had mentioned earlier that she was busy and couldn't pick her up.

Kaia finished her call and walked into the living room. Seeing the man sitting on her sofa, she didn't offer a single word and headed straight for her bedroom.

Layla hurried out. "Kaia, I made you a cup of herbal tea too. Do you want some?"

Kaia was no longer Mrs. Sanders. She treated Layla like family, and Layla, just like Jane, had started calling her by her first name.

"Sure!" Kaia walked over and took the cup with both hands. "I'll drink it in my room."

At that moment, Finnian abruptly stood up. "Layla, Kaia, I should get going. Have a good night."

"You're leaving already? You haven't even taken a sip of the tea," Layla urged anxiously.