Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 120

“Yes. And today is a huge day for you. You might even meet some brand–new friends!” Right now, Kaia cared infinitely more about her daughter’s milestones than she did about a certain someone’s hangover.

“Then let’s hurry up and go!” The excitement finally returned to Brynlee’s

eyes.

As they neared the school, Brynlee couldn’t resist lifting her wrist and calling Finnian on her smartwatch.

“Brynlee!” His voice was incredibly hoarse. “Are you at school yet?”

“We’re almost there! Daddy, are you feeling any better?” Brynlee asked anxiously.

Dr. Collins just got here. Daddy will be fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry about ne,” Finnian chuckled softly. Having a daughter who cared so much made the pounding in his head slightly more bearable.

“Okay! You have

your m

good boy and listen to the doctor, and take all

colded him, imitating the exact tone adults

Finnian smiled warmly.

! Gotta go!” Brynlee chirped, hanging up the call.

rked the car in the school’s designated visitor lot. Under the shade assive oak trees, mother and daughter walked hand–in–hand toward ne main gates.

Teachers were lined up outside to welcome the new students. Kaia had to go to the administration office to fill out some final registration

paperwo

get

of the teachers took Brynlee to her new classroom to

signing the endless stack of documents, she walked

back toward the kindergarten wing.

Outside the classroom, in a small enclosed playground, Kaia spotted Brynlee squatting next to a sapling. She was huddled closely with another little girl. The two of them were pointing at the ground, giggling excitedly about something.

“Brynlee, what are you looking at?” Kaia asked, walking over with a smile.

“Mommy! We’re watching the ants! Anna gave them a tiny piece of bread, and two ants are carrying it away right now!” Brynlee explained proudly.

Kaia looked at the other little girl. She was wearing the same crisp uniform, her hair tied in adorable princess braids. She had huge, bright eyes and deep dimples when she smiled.

‘Hi! I’m Anna Quinn” the little girl greeted her politely.

‘Hi

meet you,” Kaia said, crouching down to their eye

ut to stand back up, she noticed a tall man standing a ce away. His back was turned to her as he finished up a . He slipped his phone into his pocket and turned around, g toward them.

unlight caught his face, and Kaia froze. He looked incredibly familiar.

He was wearing a perfectly tailored black turtleneck under a long black wool coat. He carried himself with an effortless, quiet confidence, an aura of deer

As he

calm.

1. ed. It was Simon Quinn.

exact same moment. He stopped dead in his ing in shock.

ickly melted into a warm, genuine smile that reached

nmed glasses he wore gave hive him a smile was pure relief.

leaving her face. “I’m back for

een a long time. Is this your your

no forced polite small talk.

he could answer, Anna grabgrabbed his more time with your family,” by uncle! Do you knowknow my uncle?”

ugh. “Yes, we kneweewheach other a

softening slightly on the last happy?”

sister just move bbved back to the States cating smile. “I’m alright.

in for her first dest day. I’m watching ttled.”

d Brynlee’sleals hair. “This is my

QuinoLCam! Can Anna and I be best

When we were young, we spent

it’s just endless work. Life has

e spend so much time looking hat ifs.”

dded slowly. “It does feel like

tifultifuelittle face. He could see Kaia ini

work darkening with a sudden

rse. You’re Anna’s

dropping into a murmur. “I now. Seeing you become so

ints! Anna grabbed Brynlee’s hand, and fter a quick conversation, he

d back down on the pavement.

ing a cheerful, upbeat pop song,

to take Anna home now.”

out a sleek business card,

of children laughing all around them.in. o.”

eaves, casting dappled shadows across seach out sometime.”

asked. She had heard through the the ad become a diplomat and spentient

rseas.

?” Simon asked suddenly, a e been gone a long time. But ged numbers.”

Chapter 120

“Last month,” Simon replied, his eyes never leaving her face. “I’m back for good this time.”

There was no awkwardness between them, no forced polite small talk. Just an easy, unspoken familiarity.

“That’s great. It’ll be nice for you to spend more time with your family,” Kaia said naturally.

“What about you?” Simon asked, his voice softening slightly on the last few words. “How have you been? Are you happy?”

Kaia met his gaze and offered a self–deprecating smile. “I’m alright. Mostly just buried in work.”

Simon’s expression grew a little solemn. “When we were young, we spent all our time studying. Now that we’re older, it’s just endless work. Life has a way of getting ahead of us, doesn’t it? We spend so much time looking forward that we end up with nothing but ‘what ifs.”

Kaia felt a sudden tug at her heart. She nodded slowly. “It does feel like

that sometimes.”

Simon looked down at his shoes, his voice dropping into a murmur. “I always kept track of where you were, you know. Seeing you become so successful… it made me really happy.”

Just then, Simon’s phone started ringing. After a quick conversation, he ung up and turned back to Kaia. “I’ve got to take Anna home now.”

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek business card,

out to her. “Here’s my contact info.”

ard politely. “Thank you. I’ll reach out sometime.”

e a card on you today, do you?” Simon asked suddenly, a eful smile playing on his lips. “I’ve been gone a long time. But

I’m staying now. I think it’s time we exchanged numbers.”