Keith let out a cold laugh. “No. I just can’t stand him.”

Finnian watched Amara and Keith off in the corner.

Amara had taken Keith aside to talk privately, without saying a word to Finnian. The way she treated him differently stung deeply.

He knew that once Amara found out he’d fought with Keith, she’d definitely be angry at him. Even if it wasn’t clear who was at fault, he was sure Amara would blame him she always took Keith’s side.

Soon, Amara and Keith seemed to finish talking and walked back together. Amara didn’t even glance at Finnian, and went upstairs with Keith.

Finnian opened his mouth, wanting to ask Amara to stay and talk to him, but he had no idea what to say. Amara probably didn’t want to talk to him anyway.

Amara took Keith to the guest room, but when she came back, she found Finnian still standing in the living room. Why was Finnian still here?

She instinctively paused when she saw him, then quickly reminded herself there was no reason to react like that, and turned back to her room.

Interacting with Finnian was getting more and more awkward. Still, it wouldn’t matter much longer—Finnian was about to get married. After the wedding, he probably wouldn’t come back to the old house so often, right?

And if he did keep showing up, she’d just have to move out.

The next morning, after getting ready, Amara headed downstairs for breakfast.

It was a little after eight; Finnian should have already left for work by now. But to her surprise, he was waiting in the dining room, blocking her way. “Did you and Keith break up?”

Amara froze for a moment. Running into Finnian this early was strange enough, but to have him come out with that question… She answered automatically, “Why do you ask?”

Finnian replied, “No reason. I just heard Grandfather mention it earlier, so I thought I’d ask.”

Amara glanced up at him. His eyes were dark but bright, and he looked unmistakably pleased. Was he actually happy about this?

Annoyance flickered across Amara’s face. She pressed her lips together and said,

“Yes, we broke up. But we’re still very good friends.”

The corner of Finnian’s mouth twitched up, almost a smile, but he quickly suppressed it.

He really is happy about it! That only made Amara angrier.

Just then, Keith came downstairs and casually draped his arm around Amara’s

shoulders. “Ama, what are you two talking about so early in the morning?”

Seeing Keith’s hand on Amara’s shoulder, and Amara’s calm, indifferent expression, Finnian’s mood soured instantly.

Of course they might have broken

up, but just like Amara said, they were still close. They could put their arms around each other, eat

together, go out together. All things Amara would never do with him.

Keith noticed Finnian’s lips pressed tight in a thin, unhappy line, and a faint smirk appeared on his own lips.

He decided to twist the knife a little further, asking casually, “Mr. Everly, your wedding’s in three days, isn’t it? Congratulations, by the way.”

Finnian gave him a cool, dismissive look. “There’s nothing to congratulate me for.”

Keith’s smile widened. “Your wedding night is one of the great milestones,in life. How could that not be worth celebrating No need to be modest, Mr. Everly. I wish you and Ms. Porter happiness… Well, we’ll be heading out.”

With his arm still around Amara’s shoulders, Keith led her away. Finnian watched

them go, slowly unclenching his fists, unable to say a word.

Every time he saw Keith and Amara

together, it was torture. And yet

there was nothing he could do about

do

it. Was this really how things were

going to be from now on?