After thinking it over, Amara suddenly remembered the perfect place. “Let’s go back to the villa,” she said softly. “The one we used to live in.”

She was referring to the house she and Finnian had shared as newlyweds-the place that had been her home for three years.

Finnian had thought of it too, but hadn’t mentioned it first. When he heard her suggestion, he simply nodded. “Alright, I’ll take you both there.”

Amara’s old villa wasn’t far from Elysia’s. Finnian drove them there quickly.

Amara helped Elysia inside, then paused at the door to thank Finnian. “Thank you for bringing us here.”

No matter what else had happened, they really owed Finnian today. If he hadn’t taken away the pregnancy test results in time, Dorian might have discovered Elysia’s pregnancy.

“It’s nothing,” Finnian replied. “It’s just what I should do.”

Seeing Amara’s awkward expression, he quickly added, “I mean, I look after Hogan the same way. It’s a brother’s job to take care of his siblings.”

That only made things more uncomfortable.

Amara hadn’t forgotten Finnian’s earlier comment about being her brother, but she didn’t want to be his sister at all. Admitting that out loud would just make things even more awkward, so she simply thanked him again and went back inside.

Finnian drove back to Elysia and Dorian’s house. By then, Jessica had already left, and Dorian was slumped on the sofa, looking dejected. When Finnian walked in, Dorian immediately sprang to his feet and strode over. “Where did you take Elysia and Amara?”

He had been calling Finnian nonstop, but Finnian hadn’t answered; Dorian was nearly frantic with worry.

“I can’t tell you,” Finnian said.

Dorian’s frustration boiled over. “Whose side are you on? Aren’t you supposed to be my best friend?”

“This isn’t about sides,” Finnian

replied, keeping his voice calm. “You really crossed a line this time. If you keep pushing her like this, you’ll drive Elysia over the edge. Do you really want to see that happen?”

The image of Elysia’s pale and distressed face flashed in Dorian’s mind, and he had nothing to say.

He collapsed back onto the sofa, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I

never thought things would turn out this way…”

Finnian just patted his shoulder in silent support.

That night, Amara stayed with Elysia in the guest room. The two talked for a while, and it was nearly 1 a.m before they fell asleep. The next

morning, Amara woke up earlyel.ne

made a big homemade breakfast. When Elysia got up, they ate. together.

By then, Elysia’s spirits had lifted a little. Amara suggested, “Do you want to get out

for a bit? Maybe go shopping to take your mind off things?”

She remembered how, back when Finnian wanted a divorce, Elysia had taken her out shopping to cheer her up.

Although running into Liliana that day had made everything worse, before that happened, she’d actually had a good time.

“Sure,” Elysia agreed. “Let’s go out and relax. How about Galleria Lane?”

They got dressed, put on a little makeup, and headed out in much better moods.

While they were at the mall, Amara went into a fitting room to try on clothes, while Elysia sat nearby, scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, Elysia called out, “Liliana just posted on Twitter!”

Curious, Amara walked over. “What did she say?”

Elysia held out her phone, and Amara read Liliana’s tweet: “Only three days until my wedding with Finn! We’ve decided not to

the ceremony,

livestream afterward so don’t be

share a video

too disappointed, everyone!