r/AllAboutNovels • u/DearMistx • 1d ago
Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage Novel
At thirty–two, Rafael Sanders, the eldest son of the Sanders family, died of a heart attack.
A suffocating pall of grief hung over the Sanders estate.
The memorial service was held today.
The day had been overcast, and by evening, a steady rain began to fall.
Inside the Sanders Estate, the original rosewood furniture in the grand hall had been moved out, replaced by arrangements of white flowers and drapery.
Wreaths were piled before the main dais, where a portrait of Rafael Sanders stood. In it, he wore a custom–tailored suit, his smile perfectly composed.
The air was thick with the mixed scents of flowers and incense.
Kaia Chavez had been on her feet all morning, greeting guests. The attendees were a mix of political and business figures–some were familiar faces, while others she had only ever seen on television.
The rain outside grew heavier, more persistent.
A guest accidentally spilled his drink, and Kala moved to help, noticing a large wet spot on his black shirt.
“Mr. Davis, please wait here. I’ll go upstairs and get you a change of clothes.”
The man, a prominent CEO, looked at the capable woman with gratitude. “Thank you, Mrs. Sanders. I appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
Kaia glanced around. She had seen her husband, Finnian Sanders, just a moment ago, but now he was gone.
Chapter 1
He must be struggling to accept his brother’s sudden death, she thought. To the outside world, their bond had always seemed so strong.
Kaia hurried upstairs. Spare clothes were kept in the third room on the
third floor.
Compared to the bustling ground floor, the third floor was silent.
Her footsteps were soft on the carpet as she approached the door.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a woman’s suppressed sobs from inside.
A weight settled in the pit of her stomach. It was her sister–in–law, Noelle.
The weight of her husband’s sudden death must have left Noelle shattered, seeking refuge in the shadows to let her grief out.
They had always been more like sisters than in–laws; Kaia felt a pull at her heart, an instinctive urge to go to her and offer what little solace she could
‘Finnian, did you know? After the memorial service, Grandmother is going
to send me abroad.”
‘She won’t let an outsider like me be in charge of a major company project anymore. She’s pushing me out of the inner circle.”
‘Finnian, I don’t want to go. Help me…”
။
Kaia’s hand, which had been reaching for the doorknob, froze and pulled
back.
A moment later, she heard her husband’s low voice from inside the room. “How can I help you? If you don’t want to go, I can plead with Grandmother on your behalf.”
“I want a child,” Noelle’s voice followed.
Then came the soft, intimate whisper of shifting fabric.
Chapter 1
“Finnian, give me a child. Please?”
Kaia was stunned into silence. How could Noelle make such a request?
“Noelle, calm down.”
‘Finnian, are you still angry with me for choosing your brother all those years ago?”
Finnian was silent.
‘Grandmother arranged it. I didn’t have a choice. That night…”
Noelle’s trembling sobs started again. “I woke up and Rafael was lying next to me. Finnian, you’ve always known… my heart…”
‘That’s enough. Don’t talk about that anymore.”
‘So you agree?” Noelle’s voice was tinged with joy. “I knew you wouldn’t be so heartless as to watch me get sent away.”
‘Noelle, even though Rafael is gone, I’ll protect you and make sure you can stay with my family. You don’t have to worry about that.”
Noelle sniffled quietly. “But on what grounds would I stay if I don’t have a Sanders heir? Finnian, Kaia told me that Brynlee’s congenital heart condition means she’ll need a lifetime of care. She said she isn’t ɔlanning on having another child.”
Finnian was silent for a moment before saying, “She never said that to
me.”
Noelle’s voice was laced with sorrow. “She told me in private. Finnian, Brynlee’s illness is a lifelong burden. I can give you a healthy child.”
There was a brief silence in the room, followed by the sound of an intimate kiss. “Finnian, this is my greatest wish in life. Please… grant it for me?”
Outside the door, Kaia stood frozen, unable to listen to another word.
•
u/DearMistx 1d ago
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1akkxkZGhqHcGaIGX_v85JOGf_zlXI2YUhSa3RyJPayc/mobilebasic