What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 71

Finnian reached out and gave her arm a light, reassuring pat. "Noelle, what happened today was purely a clash over technical strategy. Don't beat yourself up over it. The market is huge, and technology is always evolving. You still have plenty of room to grow."

Noelle still felt a crushing sense of injustice. Was Finnian actually validating Kaia's actions?

A sudden chill crept into her heart. With Kaia gone from Aethelstan, Finnian's perception of her seemed to be shifting.

The quiet, compliant wife was now presenting herself with a commanding, undeniable professional authority, completely rewriting his understanding of her.

"The sunset looks so beautiful out there." Noelle stood up, gazing through the glass. "Are those fire clouds? The weather should be perfect for the next few days."

Finnian nodded. "Yeah. Should be clear skies."

"Finnian, remember when I told Julian and the others I wanted to go camping up in the mountains? How about it? Do you want to go this Saturday?" Noelle asked with a bright smile.

Finnian watched the horizon, where the sunset bled into a violent sprawl of gold and crimson, the clouds unfurling like the wings of a phoenix across the sky.

"Sure. I remember Brynlee begging to go a while back. I'll ask her when I get home."

Noelle's pretty face stiffened for a second. He was bringing that little brat?

"That sounds wonderful! Bring Brynlee along, she'll absolutely love it!" Noelle said, the picture of perfect understanding.

Friday night, Kaia didn't get home from the Holistic Wellness Center until nine o'clock.

Brynlee ran out of the living room and waited excitedly by her car.

"Mommy! Dad said he's taking me up to the mountains to see the stars! I'm so excited!"

Brynlee spun around in circles, clutching a glowing magic wand toy. "Yay! Stars! We finally get to see the stars!"

Kaia was caught off guard. Why was Finnian suddenly taking their daughter camping?

"Mommy, Dad said you're coming too! It's so great, we finally get to go camping as a family!" Brynlee threw herself into Kaia's arms, her little face radiating pure, unfiltered anticipation.

Kaia could rarely say no to her daughter. Her love was always tangled with a deep sense of guilt.

Because Brynlee had been sick since birth, Kaia just wanted her to be happy three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

"Okay! I'll talk to your dad about it!" Kaia took her daughter's hand and led her inside.

Finnian was already in his study. Kaia asked Amara to help Brynlee with her bath while she knocked on the study door.

Finnian opened the door wearing a robe. He had just showered, and the faint, cold scent of pine drifted off his skin.

"Did Brynlee tell you about the camping trip?" Finnian asked first.

"She did. Why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand?" Kaia felt like she was being backed into a corner. Now that Brynlee was dead set on going, there was no way Kaia would let Finnian take her alone.

"Miles, you're coming too?" Kaia was surprised.

Miles smiled. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

"True enough..." Kaia felt her mood lift slightly. The brutal grind of work really did require a break.

Finnian's assistant, Dexter, had also brought an SUV. Finnian turned to Kaia. "Get in."

Just then, Noelle stepped out of the second SUV holding several bags of snacks. She walked straight over to Brynlee. "Brynlee, look what I brought for you!"

"Wow! All my favorites!" Brynlee peaked into the bag and started jumping up and down.

Kaia frowned slightly, her tone flat. "Thanks for the thought. I'm going to take Brynlee in Miles's car. I have some work stuff I wanted to run by him anyway."

Finnian's head snapped toward them, but Kaia had already taken Brynlee's hand and opened the back door of Miles's car.

Miles smiled and waved at the little girl. "Morning, Brynlee!"

Brynlee smiled politely. "Good morning, Mr. Miles!"

Julian suddenly threw open his door. "Miles, I don't understand a word of the science stuff you and Dr. Chavez talk about. I'm riding with Finnian."

Julian hopped out and immediately slid into the back of Finnian's SUV.