Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Hearing those words instantly settled Noelle’s nerves.

Elaine, however, furrowed her brow deeply. Since when did Kaia hold such a critical, indispensable role in the company?

The extended family members exchanged thoughtful, calculating looks, hough none of them dared to voice their opinions on the matter.

Finnian reached out and gently stroked his daughter’s head, urging her to inish the last few bites on her plate.

Then, he looked toward the top of the stairs. For the first time, he felt a distinct, chilling sensation that something was quietly slipping

completely out of his control.

Time ticked by relentlessly, and the handover between Kaia and Gordon Hayes entered its final phase.

Soon, it was the week of Christmas.

Kaia took the afternoon off today for a parent–child event at Brynlee’s

school.

After Kaia spent the whole afternoon playing with her daughter at the school, Elaine came to pick Brynlee up. Elaine was meeting up with some of the other wealthy wives for a playdate, and two of Brynlee’s closest friends were going to be there. Brynlee was practically vibrating

with excitement to go.

Watching her mother–in–law’s car pull away, Kaia texted her best friend, Celine, asking if she was free to go shopping. She wanted to buy a few gifts for Brynlee.

Celine told her to meet at the entrance of a high–end mall. Kaia hopped in her car and headed over.

The city streets were saturated with the festive, vibrant energy of

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Christmas.

Kaia arrived at the mall first. Celine called to say she was stuck in traffic and told Kaia to grab a table at a cafe and wait.

Kaia suddenly remembered a necklace she had custom–ordered for her mother at Imperial Treasures, a jeweler on the fifth floor. Since New Year’s was right around the corner, this was the perfect time to pick it up. The fifth floor housed several luxury jewelers. Imperial Treasures was a century–old brand, deeply favored by older, wealthy women for its opulent, traditional designs.

Right next to it was a sleek, modern jewelry boutique called Aegean Jewels, which was wildly popular among younger crowds.

Behind the display glass, brilliant spotlights illuminated a dazzling array of jewelry.

Drawn by the glittering display, Kaia glanced over–and instantly locked eyes with two painfully familiar figures standing at the counter.

Finnian was wearing an immaculately tailored dark overcoat. He stood tall and commanding, his strikingly handsome face focused intensely on the black velvet box resting on the glass counter.

Sitting gracefully on a stool beside him was Noelle.

She was dressed in a pearl–white tweed dress and a camel cashmere cardigan, her hair pinned up elegantly as she extended her left hand.

A highly attentive sales associate pulled a diamond ring from the box. The fire of the center stone caught the light–extravagant, icy, and blindingly bright.

Kaia froze outside the glass window. The sight burned her eyes so badly it felt physical.

The associate paused for a fraction of a second before handing the ring

Chapter 59

directly to Finnian.

Finnian offered a faint smile, didn’t refuse, and took the ring to examine it. Noelle tilted her head, a playful, endearing look on her face, and lifted her left hand slightly higher toward him.

For Kaia, time completely stopped.

The upbeat Christmas music playing over the mall speakers and the chatter of the holiday crowds instantly dissolved into dead silence.

Her hands curled into tight fists. Forcing down the suffocating surge of emotion, she pulled out her phone, swiped to the camera, and hit record.

Just a split second before Finnian’s hand touched Noelle’s finger, Kaia looked away and saved the video.

Then, she turned her back on them, forcefully burying the searing agony in her chest, and walked into Imperial Treasures.

When Brynlee had called him earlier that afternoon, Finnian had told his daughter he had bought her a ton of presents and promised to open them with her tonight. Brynlee had been overjoyed.

And now? What the hell was he doing now?

Celine finally rushed in to meet her. As the two friends ate and shopped their way through the mall, Celine quickly noticed Kaia was totally checked out.

“Kaia, what’s wrong? You look like you’re a million miles away,” Celine asked, her sharp intuition telling her something was seriously off.

“It’s nothing,” Kaia said, forcing a smile and shaking her head.

“By the way, we’ve been so busy shopping I forgot to ask–what big surprise did your Mr. Sanders plan for you? Don’t tell me he got you another rare medical manuscript like last time.”

Chapter 59

Kaia’s body went totally rigid for a split second.

“He’s a busy man. He probably didn’t get me anything,” Kaia deflected smoothly.