Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 12

“The review work for Project Stargazer Phase III must be demanding. I heard you joined the committee. That must be tough. I hope the review yields good results.”

“It’s just part of my job.”

After her brief reply, Kaia turned and walked toward the conference room. Before the end of the workday, Kaia received a call from Finnian. “I’ve picked up Brynlee, and we’re on our way to the estate. Grandmother wants the whole family to have dinner together. You should come over

:00.”

Kaia had wanted to refuse, but since her daughter was there, she had no choice but to agree.

Night fell, and a light rain intensified the damp chill of autumn.

Kaia, wearing a beige coat, stepped into the living room of the estate.

The crystal chandelier illuminated the grand and stately room. The recent death in the family cast a heavy, oppressive atmosphere over the space.

Kaia had arrived late. The long dining table was already laden with an elaborate dinner.

Josephine sat at the head of the table, her presence commanding the ‘oom. Finnian took his place at her right, with Brynlee on his lap. Elaine Sanders, his mother, was also present, along with a few uncles and aunts from other branches of the family.

Brynlee sat on her father’s lap, taking small bites of the meal specially prepared for her, her big, dark eyes looking around at everyone with curiosity.

Noelle was not at the family dinner tonight.

Chapter 12

Her absence seemed to be a silent declaration of something.

They ate and chatted, discussing some business matters and then the weather.

Josephine put down her spoon, dabbed her mouth with a napkin, and spoke. “I’ve already had someone arrange for Noelle’s travel abroad. Next Friday, I’ll have the butler send someone to take her to the airport. Everything has been taken care of on the other end…”

The air grew tense. A few of the other elders seemed to want to speak but held their tongues.

Suddenly, Brynlee jumped down from her father’s lap and ran to Kaia’s side, pouting. “Mommy, I want some meat.”

Kaia put a piece of fish on her plate, carefully picking out the bones before placing it in her small plate.

Finnian also put down his utensils. He didn’t respond immediately, just swirled the red wine in his glass.

His gaze fell on the glass, his expression complex.

Just as Josephine thought he had tacitly agreed, Finnian spoke.

‘Grandmother, Noelle can’t go.”

Josephine’s face darkened, her tone clearly displeased. “Finnian, this has already been decided. What’s the point of bringing this up now?”

“I haven’t agreed to it,” Finnian said, looking directly into the old woman’s eyes, his voice low and firm. “My brother just passed away. He’s barely cold in his grave, and we’re going to rush his widow out of the country? What will people say? That the Sanders family is so heartless and cruel that we can’t even tolerate a widow?”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it hit everyone’s ears with an undeniable weight. “Nonsense!”

Chapter 12

Josephine suddenly grew angry. “Sending her away is for her own good. If she stays here, she’ll be constantly reminded of her loss, making it harder for her to move on. I’m thinking of her well–being.”

“Grandmother, you may say that, but I don’t believe it.” A humorless smile touched Finnian’s lips. “If you were truly thinking of her, you would be helping her through this dark time like an elder, like family, when she needs comfort the most.”

‘That’s enough, Finnian. Don’t argue with Josephine,” Elaine interjected at the right moment.

Finnian looked at his mother. “Mom, you’re the one who always said Noelle was like a daughter to you. Now that this has happened, don’t you think you should say something?”

‘Just stop talking, that’s what you should do,” Elaine said, giving her younger son a slight glare.

Finnian’s expression was unreadable.

The other family members, seeing the tense atmosphere, didn’t dare to speak.

The Sanders empire had always been run by the two brothers. With Rafael’s sudden death, Finnian’s power in the group had become

paramount.

‘Finnian Sanders, what nonsense are you spouting?” Josephine’s position n the family was also unshakable. She had always made the final decisions on all domestic matters. This was the first time a grandson had publicly contradicted her, and she was losing face.

“Grandmother, I know exactly what I’m saying.” Finnian did not back down. He even leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more forceful.